Brown algae everywhere D:

[DSheard]

My tank is in 2weeks of cycling, I have 2 pumps, carbon, crushed live rock and the live rock is from a matured tank. I have just tested the nitrite levels using the tablet and colour chart method and to me it looks like its less than 0.1/l Im just wondering if nitrite levels are low should I assume that ammonia levels are also low or are they not connected in anyway?

I keep trying to attach a pic of my tank covered in algae but it wont work so Il send a linkl. If you can judge if its normal or advise what to do that would be great.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1633/dscf0496e.jpg

Thanks!

[michael.]

the top rock has cyano bacteria on it fella, and the rest of the brown stuff is diatoms, both perfectly normal in a new cycling aquarium, the diatoms will eventually disappear on their own, but the cyano will only go with regular quality replacement water added to the tank via water changes and top offs, keep testing the tank during the cycle, and when the nitrite and ammonia if any spotted finally become 0 and nitrate is evident alone do a 25% water change to dilute the nitrate, providing you continue to change water regulary and keep the tank clean it will soon look great. However you could remove the top rock and scrub it now as it won't hurt the cycle and its only one rock. Usually ammonia rises and then nitrite with it, then as they fall nitrate rises, but all cycles vary.

[DSheard]

Oh right thats okay then. I will get a propper set of test kits on friday. The kit I got free only tests nitrite and pH. whats the best method to get the algae from the water surface? I have a few parts floating around with the water flow. Thanks for the help!

Dave

[Macca]

Oh right thats okay then. I will get a propper set of test kits on friday. The kit I got free only tests nitrite and pH. whats the best method to get the algae from the water surface? I have a few parts floating around with the water flow. Thanks for the help!

Dave

Hi Dave, what test kits are you thinking of buying?

[michael.]

Hi dave, you could net out any detritus on the surface quite easily, otherwise don't worry too much it will soon get caught somewhere and settle down, when you water change you could siphon any bits off the rocks anyhow, it is so early days at the moment, I wouldn't worry too much Dave.

[ShyTalk]

That was me just a couple of weeks back Dave, as everyone says, its all normal mate, diatoms..the brown stuff, then cyanobacter and probably a bit of green algae too, it'll go on its own soon, or if your levels drop down and sty low for a week, try adding a couple of snails or cowries, my cowries loved the diatoms....sadly though my bristle worms loved my cowries so all except one are now but hollow shells of what they used to be!
Interesting rock work too there mate, very cubist/modern art :-)

[DSheard]

Haha thanks dude, wanted huge gaps in the centre like a window pane shape. I dont know what test kits to get to be honest guys any ideas whats the best? ebay links would be brilliant !
Thanks for all!

[michael.]

I use salifert for everything bud, but also use D&D and even tetra at times, all very much the same, but the salifert gives a good range of results and they go quite low as well.

[ShyTalk]

I'm using Salifert here Dave & as has been said they work a treat, only thing i would say about them is to read the instructions well, some you read the results from above, some from the side, this can make a big difference to the colour & results, scared me to death a couple of times at first reading them from the wrong side.
Get yourself a refractometer too, keep looking on ebay, used bargains keep popping up.

[ejit]

salifert here too but D&D for phosphate tester.