First post and first reef tank.

Hi everyone,
I am new to the saltwater world and new to this forum. I am in my 3rd week of cycling my new 55g tank and algae seemed to grow over night once I got the right lighting. I was wondering if this is normal that it looks kinda brown to me, and from what I've read, brown is bad. Right? It has little hairs clinging to the base rock which I am assuming is just algae too. If I can get a picture of it I will post it to help determine what color it is.
A quick rundown of the tank......55 gal, biowheel, skimmer, heater, powerhead, about 25 lbs of base rock, live sand, Nova T-5 10000k actinic, 216 watts *I think*, and 6 Damsels....All of my levels are where they should be and in fact, I am in the middle of the nitrate spike right now. I think I am doing everyhthing right so not too worried, but if I am, please point it out. But in the meantime I still wonder, should I have a brownish algae on the base rock at this stage of the game? Thanks in advance for any advice. I will try to post a pic soon.

Eddie

 

Yote has it covered so Welcome to the Reef!

 

Welcome!

 

welcome

 

I agree on the Damsels. too many and to agressive. Welcome bro. Be sure to take what everyone online says to a grain of sand. Also, remember to take wha the LFS tells you, and dont really listen to them. So what damsels at 5 bucks a piece. easy 30 bucks for them to prey on the inexperienced. I go to the LFS to see what I want, ask them questions, just to make talk and not seem rude, then go home and read about 10 articles and come up with my own conclusion. Remember that and It will help you more than you think. It sure has helped me alot. Also, see if there is a local reef club where you are located and join that. i have learned alot more since I signed up to mine and started going to the meetings. Research everything before you buy it for a few days to make sure you really want it. Make a stocking plan on what you know you want coral and fish and invert wise. I assume you are gona run corals using those lights. Also, wait about 2-4 weeks between ading fish. Dont buy anything on impulse. I made that mistake when I started, but I did learn my lesson. I hope you have a great time learning and watching your tank Grow. You will love it. I know I do

 

Welcome to Living Reefs!

Eventually add an addition 25-50lbs of live rock and then you can do without the biowheel altogether.Live rock makes a better biofilter,good luck and post pics!

 

Welcome to Livingreefs :Cheers:

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and the informative replies. Like I said, I am very new to the saltwater world so I will have a lot of questions I'm sure. In fact, I had to ask the salesman at the LFS how to make saltwater from regular water...lol...I have had freshwater tanks most of my life but never SW.
I also agree on the damsels being mean, I found that out the first night I brought them home. I was told to put 4-6 damsels through the first cycle and then take them back (or most of them) after my 50% water change to get other fish, coral, and inverts.

Speaking of corals, I am trying to figure out just what kind of corals I can get with my setup. I really like brains but I was told that I *may* get away with a red brain, but probably not a green one. Not sure why but assuming the reds are hardier? If I figured it out right, I am at 3.92 watts per gal...216w / 55gal = 3.92wpg...any opinions?

Thanks again...Eddie

 

Thanks Yote,
I like clownfish but will they do ok without a sea anemone? I was told I dont have enough light for an anemone. Thanks for your valued opinions.

Eddie

 

Clownfish will do just fine without an anemone, and will be perfectly happy. It is not a good idea to add an anemone until your tank is at least 10 months old -- they are very difficult animals to keep.

Six damsels is way way way too many. If the cycle doesn't kill them, they will end up killing each other, and any other fish you try to add. You shouldn't have to cycle a tank with live fish, there's no need to put their lives in danger. If you can catch them and take them back now, you might want to do so, at least it will save their lives.

I had the same lights you have over my old 55 gallon tank. Since they are T5s, they were sufficient to keep any coral I wanted. I even kept an anemone. You would definitely be able to keep a brain. I have never heard of one color morph of brain being hardier than another. But like others have pointed out, you want to wait several months before trying a coral.