Tank Cleaning

ytsejam02

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My tank is a few weeks old and I'm starting to get a build up of brown crud on my glass. I believe I remember the guy at the fish store saying this is a good thing because of the tank cycling.

So, I haven't cleaned it yet, but I'm assuming I can clean the crap off??? What good is glass if I can't see thru it! :p

Can anyone explain this? Thanx!
-Jay
 
Well Jay, this must be the first time I've heard brown algae described as a good thing! :lol:

Still, it probably is right that it's a sign your tank is cycling. What is your water like (pH, nitrite, ammonia, nitrate?) Have you got any fish yet?

Please do clean it off the glass, and also do a water change. Algae of any kind is a sign that you have too many nutrients in a tank (usually nitrate) and unless you have live plants to use them up, the only way they're going to come out is if you do water changes.
 
I have a damselfish and a crab, which I think is stressed (a few of his legs fell off, which I recently posted a question about).

As far as my levels go, I'm not entirely sure because I go to my lfs to have it tested once a week. Last time I went, he said my ammonia had spiked and he gave me a supplement to bring it down so that I could get the damselfish and the crab.

The damselfish seems happy, and has picked out a rock that he never seems to stray too far from.

Thanx for the info, I'll clean the algae off as soon as I get home!
-Jay
 
I'm not very familiar with SW aquaria, but similar rules apply. If you had an "ammonia spike" last week, this week you're going to have a problem with nitrite. That's the next step in the cycling process. The chemical you were given was probably Ammolock, which whilst it removes ammonia, does diddly squat for nitrite. Nitrite is highly toxic to aquatic life - inhibits their ability to process oxygen, and takes much longer to be broken down into more harmless nitrate (the final stage in the cycling process).

Ammo-lock wasn't a cure, just a temporary relief. What you actually needed was for the beneficial bacteria in your tank to grow to the point where they could break down the ammonia immediately into nitrite, and the nitrite into nitrate.

You need to get yourself a nitrite testing kit and you need to test for nitrite every day. You also need to do a 10-15% water change every day, twice a day if the nitrite levels are extremely high. It'll probably take a few weeks before you can relax, but once your tank is cycled it should be relatively plain sailing. Sadly, your crab may not make it, and your damselfish will be lucky to survive.

To speed up the process, try to get some matured filter media and some sand or gravel from a matured tank (ask your LFS if they can let you have some). That will contain the bacteria you need to get the nitrogen cycle going in your tank. Put the filter media/gravel in a stocking and suspend it in your tank, or if you can, stuff it in your filter.

For future reference, most people recommend a process called Fishless Cycling for a new tank. Instead of risking living creatures, you provide an artificial source of ammonia for the beneficial bacteria and you don't add any fish or creatures until both your ammonia and nitrite levels are zero.

Good luck!
 
Green algae is good, brown is bad. You might consider adding some live plants. This should help cut down on the brown algea.

As far as your crab losing his legs. I have never heard of this. Maybe he was sick when you got him. Is he still alive? Have you spoken to the pet store where you got him? Gee hon, wishing you the best.
 
The crab is still alive, and was doing fine up until yesterday. Seemed to enjoy climbinb all over the rocks. Now he seems depressed. Probably the water quality based on what I'm reading, though I heard the crabs are supposed to be very hardy, much like the damselfish, which is why we got them.

Oh well, the fish was free and the crab was only 4 bucks. Live and learn...
Thanx,
-Jay
 
:angry: brown algea(diatom) is a natural part of the SW cycle.It should go away and a nice green should start if all else is proper.......Air
 
I think I started my new tank at a similar time.

I have a 70 litre tank with new gravel, filter sponges etc.

I set the tank up with just water and gravel for 1 week, then added 7 plants.

After a further 4 days I added 2 zebra danios.

I now have a tank ornament covered in BROWN ALGAE and the gravel is starting to go a similar colour - very disheartening after I thought I had followed all the correct procedures.

I have checked for amonia, nitrate, nitrite and the pH levels weekly.
Amonia and Nitrite are minimal (just under 0.1 mg/l)
Nitrate is around 12 mg/l

The pH is relatively high at 8.5

I'm off to do a water change - any other advice would be very welcome.
Will the BROWN ALGAE go away or do I need to clean it off as the plants don't seem to be doing there job (2 are covered in brown as well)

Do i need to purchase a scavenger ?

H E L P !!
 
Phosphate, I have over 5mg/l in my Tap Water - i have high nitrAte 50mg/l

and brown algae!

Green algae is good, brown is bad. You might consider adding some live plants. This should help cut down on the brown algea.
 
theRAM said:
I have a 70 litre tank with new gravel, filter sponges etc.
I set the tank up with just water and gravel for 1 week, then added 7 plants.
After a further 4 days I added 2 zebra danios.

I have checked for amonia, nitrate, nitrite and the pH levels weekly.
Amonia and Nitrite are minimal (just under 0.1 mg/l)
Nitrate is around 12 mg/l
The pH is relatively high at 8.5

Do i need to purchase a scavenger ?
Your tank is not cycled, which is a much more serious problem than the brown algae. Ammonia or nitrite levels that are anything other than zero are a serious problem that could potentially kill your fish. Continue what you're doing with the water changes, but also try to get hold of some filter media and/or gravel from a matured tank, as that will contain the bacteria you need to get the tank cycling.

The brown algae is probably being "fed" by ammonia in the water, from fish waste. It should resolve itself once you've grown the beneficial bacteria in the tank and the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, provided you keep doing the water changes.

Definitely don't get any kind of fish or creature at this stage, not until you have had ammonia/nitrite readings of zero for at least a week. Come back to us when that happens and we'll all be pleased to make suggestions for suitable fish.

P.S. Don't worry about your pH at this stage - fiddling about with it is more likely to lead to tragedy than be helpful.
 
i have the same problem, what i do is empty out the tank and scrub it with some sponge and rinse the tank and you should be goood
 

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