Tank pics and readings

[jamesd523]

Hi guys,

I bought my first test kit and wanted to run my levels by everyone to see if they are safe and see if I need to do anything right now. I have not yet done a water change in my tank, I think I will probably do one on Sunday. Also, there is some brown algae (I think) on my sand and rock... any ideas on how to get rid of that? You can see it in the pics.

Thank you!

James

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/jamesd523/IMG_1487.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/jamesd523/IMG_1486.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c325/jamesd523/IMG_1485.jpg

 

[Bifferwine]

Okay. What are your levels?

Your aquascaping looks great, congrats on having a nice set up.

The brown stuff are diatoms. Totally normal for a new tank. There really isn't anything you can do about them, they will come and go. As your tank matures, diatom outbreaks will become less frequent. When your tank is ready for it, adding some sand sifting cleaner crew (like nassarius snails) will help.

 

[reeffreak]

Your live rock looks very unique.Nice holes and shape to them.

Like Biff said,diatoms is very common on new system.You will see less and less as you're system matures(in most cases).Regular waterchanges and a variety of snails will help when the time comes.

 

[daugherty]

very nice aquascaping off to a good start

 

[Piggy]

Love the aquascaping. Tank looks great.

 

[jamesd523]

Stats are:

PH - 8.4
Ammonia - 2.5
Alkalinity - 2
Nitrate - 3
Nitrite - 0

I have not yet done a water change... will be doing one tomorrow, I just went to pick up some more water today.

 

[Marke86]

you might not be reading your amonia right your nitrite should be the one that is high well at least thats what mine did when the brown diatoms started appearing but keep testing it that ammonia should break down to nitrite. Congrats on the awesome tank your worksmanship defintely shows!
Tell you the truth youve already made it this far Id say go with a reef tank!!
Honestly with the way you got the live rock set up a reef would look awesome! and its not really that hard.

 

[Doc]

nice aquascaping. Sounds like your cycle isn't complete yet if you are still showing ammonia

-Doc

 

[Piggy]

I would have to agree with Doc that the tank is still cycling.

 

[Altohombre]

The guy I always go to suggested that I get Sera Marin Silicate Clear to remove silicate from the water which diatoms feed on. Then add a phosphate remover like Phos-Guard to keep other algae from growing. He no longer works at the store because of personally differences so he wasn't just trying to sell me something.

 

[Keaton]

Nice rock work! Gonna look awesome :)

 

[yote]

You got some great looking rock work in there.Your gonna have an awesome looking system.
I also agree with the rest.Your tank is still cycling.