Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
I did not experience this with my old 29g so I am unfamiliar to what it could be and the cause of it. Sand is getting dark brown spots and rock is getting some sort of growth 
Getting ugly
- Thread starter Jeremey’s reef
- Start date
Looks like diatoms.Looks normal for a new tank. I know its hard to look at but it will pass in time
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
So no way to get it out, just patience?
Congrats! Looks like diatoms to me and this is a good indication that things are progressing along. I promise you that you had some of them in the 29g but sometimes the diatoms get quickly followed by green hair algae and almost feel like one plague. In my experience, the key at this point is to do nothing drastic. You can run lights out and try a few more things but this really is a normal part of the cycle. I've found that taking drastic steps to deal with diatoms or GHA both result in a much longer cycle time.
I have seen people try all kinds of things with little luck. Every tank I have started using dry rock(marcos, caribsea etc..) has gone through an ugly period. some lasted 3 months some even longer. Patience has always worked for me
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
Awesome so it seems that I’m doing something right
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the quick response I will wait it out
Thats the best thing. Keep up with water changes and testing. It will get better with time
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
Will do
Diatoms, Cyanobacteria also sometimes called blue-green algae (a holdover from earlier taxonomy rules), green hair algae, etc. are ‘pioneer’ organisms that often take advantage of specific conditions which are a little more favorable to them.
As the system matures, the dominant species may change and we eventually reach a point where many are present, but none are really dominant except for maybe corraline algae, if we have the chemistry, lighting and filtration right.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are a multitude of organisms not necessarily visible to the eye which may influence this process. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, slime molds, worms, an assortment of arthropod types, algae, tunicates, sponges, corals, etc.
If you get something you can view these with, that works like a hand held microscope, you will be amazed! Check this out -
As the system matures, the dominant species may change and we eventually reach a point where many are present, but none are really dominant except for maybe corraline algae, if we have the chemistry, lighting and filtration right.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are a multitude of organisms not necessarily visible to the eye which may influence this process. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, slime molds, worms, an assortment of arthropod types, algae, tunicates, sponges, corals, etc.
If you get something you can view these with, that works like a hand held microscope, you will be amazed! Check this out -
My theory is that Marco rocks, Caribsea, etc, have a certain amount of silicates naturally mixed in. Once those silicates dry up after a few weeks to a few months, the diatoms can no long sustain themselves. I'm finishing up cycling a new tank using Marco rocks and I am having dark brown spots as well. They're ugly but provide free food for a few snails and I believe even zooplankton eat them on a smaller scale.
Let it be. It's natural, let nature "take it's course" because that's how you make it go away.
I am on the tail end of that. Mine got wayyyy worse before it started getting better. Good luck!
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the good wishes brother
NWgaNanoReefer
New Member
I’m going through the “ugly” stages too....just have to wait it out ..it will clear on it’s own... small water changes bi weekly help
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
What would you consider a small water change on a 130g DT ?
NWgaNanoReefer
New Member
Small 10% water changes bi weekly really help through ugly stages...I’ve been out of the hobby about 10 years but recently got back in ....my tank is going through the same stage...I remembered small water changes helped me before ...and they are really helping me through this one now. I really can see improvements
NWgaNanoReefer
New Member
Oh and turn your lights down or use shorter usages on timer ...lights help increase diatoms at this early stage
Jeremey’s reef
Well-Known Member
Okay thanks for the advice brother
