This is my first saltwater tank and I need some help
I have a 75 gal tank im setting up as a reef tank. It has a Sea life systems 175 wet/dry filter, a rio hyper 12 return, a hang-on refugium with a 180 gph pump, 2 65w power compact 50/50 actinic lights, a 600 gph overflow box and 2 heaters, with 2 digital thermometers, and a 20w flourescent over the refugium.
I set the tank up friday night and added about 3 in of aragonite, plus live sand. I turned it all on and let it run. Sunday I purchased my live rock and placed it in the tank. The ammonia level is around 4, which has decreased from 8 on monday. My Ph has remained stable at 8.2. The nitrites are higher than the test reads. The nitrates have increased to 10 as of this evening. Kh has decreased from 190 on Mon to 150 this evening. And the Ca is remainig steady at 450. The salinity is at 34ppt.
Now to my question. There is a red/maroon growth on the rocks. It is pointed and seems to be getting taller. It is starting to appear on all of the live rock. The typical purple coralline algae is there and the is also a pink colored item on some of the rocks in the substrate and on some of the live rock.
What is the red growth and the pink substance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 75 gal tank im setting up as a reef tank. It has a Sea life systems 175 wet/dry filter, a rio hyper 12 return, a hang-on refugium with a 180 gph pump, 2 65w power compact 50/50 actinic lights, a 600 gph overflow box and 2 heaters, with 2 digital thermometers, and a 20w flourescent over the refugium.
I set the tank up friday night and added about 3 in of aragonite, plus live sand. I turned it all on and let it run. Sunday I purchased my live rock and placed it in the tank. The ammonia level is around 4, which has decreased from 8 on monday. My Ph has remained stable at 8.2. The nitrites are higher than the test reads. The nitrates have increased to 10 as of this evening. Kh has decreased from 190 on Mon to 150 this evening. And the Ca is remainig steady at 450. The salinity is at 34ppt.
Now to my question. There is a red/maroon growth on the rocks. It is pointed and seems to be getting taller. It is starting to appear on all of the live rock. The typical purple coralline algae is there and the is also a pink colored item on some of the rocks in the substrate and on some of the live rock.
What is the red growth and the pink substance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.