why is my sand turning brown

[Rich976usaf]

Hi im pretty new, my tank is still cycling, but yesterday i noticed parts of the sand turning brown, it doesnt look like sediment or debris, my ammonia is dropping and i have some nitrites, ph 8.3, 1.024, temp 78-79.5, the sand thats changing color is about one large cup full that came out of a well established tank and has been in my 30 gallon for 1 week now, im concerned, any advice,
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/221976CIMG163.jpg

[fishgeek12]

diatoms.... its all part of the cycling process...

[PRDubois]

Make sure you have flow all over the tank. It will go away.

[evsalty]

Like fishgeek said it is just diatoms from the cycling of your new tank. Congrats your tank is on its way.

[mg426]

looks like diatoms to me.

[Rich976usaf]

great thanks, Diatoms, Can i add crabs or shrimp to help clean it up after tank finishes the cycle.

[Rich976usaf]

oh duh i have a snail about the size of a nickle that can in with the sand.

[mullinsd2]

Diatoms! I have just ended my cycle a couple of days ago as well, and I added 5 nasarius snails and 3 turbos to help clean up. I had a good bit of algae growth and I have a lot of flow for my tank (two hk3's in a 45 gallon)

[Rich976usaf]

ok whats the reason for the hi flow?

can i add snails before the cycle finishes.

[wickedfish]

Yeah, but whats the hurry. Remember the key to this hobby is Patience, alot of homework and advice and patience. Espcially, when you start putting in live stock.

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15322451#post15322451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rich976usaf
ok whats the reason for the hi flow?



you dont need high flow, moderate flow which pushes the water around the live rock and illiminates dead spots will be fine, id suggest around 600-800 gallons per hour in your 30 gallon tank.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15322451#post15322451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rich976usaf

can i add snails before the cycle finishes.

no i wouldnt recommend it, inverts are not comfortable with ammonia, you need to ensure the tank is fully cycled first and the nitrates need to be quite low as well, id suggest under 5, but definately under 10 before adding snails

[nuclear360]

Patients Rich, Let the sand and rock do its work for a few weeks, then check your ammonia n nitrate levels, then add your tank cleaners and then a week or two you can slowly add some live stock. adding too much at once will raise your water levels will stress your stock and change your water chemistry, good luck

[Will C]

A key element of cycling your tank is patience, you will not do any harm by waiting an extra week but you could make a mess by pushing your luck and adding livestock too soon. When you think it's ready wait a little longer then ease into your livestock. research your cleanup crew, corals and fish it is part of the fun and you will prevent some mistakes (this is a great place to ask questions while you are waiting) good luck

[Sk8r]

From time to time (well, constantly) you will battle excess-nutrient issues. Refugia and phosban reactor, plus water changes, will all help. Whenever your 'little' system (compared to the ocean) gets choked with too much food, something unwanted will bloom. In this case, die-off from the rocks, excess phosphate from the rocks, all contribute, at a time when your system is not yet up to handling a food glut.

[Rich976usaf]

Wow, Thanks, patients,

Any suggestions for live stock and cleanup crew.

I have a yellow tail damsel,

I want to add a royal grama. A clown(type not determined)
I want coral banded shrimp,
Maybe a goby,
Many zoe, xenia, many easy corals.

What do you think.
Yes i know to wait,,,,

[sedor]

You'll get to know diatoms real well. Their appearance seems to create paranoia in all of us.

That damsel could get aggressive, alot of people choose not to keep them in their tanks, because there have been numerous stories where a $5 damsel killed off an $80 tang for example. I think you will really enjoy a shrimp or two though. They are so full of personality. I really love Six Line Wrasses as well, and one would do perfectly well in your tank.

[demonboy369]

if you don't add a cuc to get rid of the diatoms then your tsnk will establish better. pods feed off the diatoms and will establish themselves nicely. the pods having been established from eating the diatoms will in turn be natural food for fish down the road.

plus the pods will go from the diatoms to detritus after its gone.