Tiny bubbles and Brown stuff

[SlickWill613]

Ok, Couple questions, The tank has been up a week, when I first filled it I way overfilled it so the other day I decided to get the water level right and It's been making little tiny bubbles since, anyone with a BC know how to correct this? Also I noticed this afternoon that one of my rocks that had been white as snow in quickly turning brown, I didn't notice it this morning so I can only assume its spreading fast, I'll post a pic of the rocks. Question is, is it normal? If so is it a normal problem and If the tank is still cycling what should be done to correct it. Thanks. Real camera is in wife's car, had to use phone, hope they're clear.

[Kirru]

diatoms is what it looks like... just let it go and run its course and it will pass, most unsightly thing but it will pass, or you can suck it up but no water changes. got to let it cycle.. part of the process

[JBDreefs]

Originally Posted by kirru

diatoms is what it looks like... Just let it go and run its course and it will pass, most unsightly thing but it will pass, or you can suck it up but no water changes. Got to let it cycle.. Part of the process

+1

[SlickWill613]

Good to know, was hoping it wasn't something un-normal. But the bubbles are still driving me crazy, should I just overfill it again or what?

[Dine]

the bubbles may calm down as everything breaks in. i would wait a little while longer before making any changes.

you said you way over filled it? how did you determine this, was water pouring out?

[db366]

Fill the tank up to where the all the back chambers are at the top of the tank.

[SlickWill613]

Originally Posted by db366

Fill the tank up to where the all the back chambers are at the top of the tank.

That's what I had done, but I noticed the little water level indicator on the side so I took some out. Then the bubbles happened, but I slowly added more until chamber 2 is **** near full and 3 if just over %50. Seems to have stopped spitting bubbles out of the return.

[jimknutson]

The bubbles are from your return pump. That has to stay completely submerged. Don't forget to top off with fresh water.

[SlickWill613]

so everything is totally covered in brown and I noticed what looks like little blades of grass on one of the rocks. I'm assuming it's hair algae. With all this ugly stuff popping up I'm wondering when is a good time to add the CUC?

[Ripped Tide]

How long are you leaving your lights on? If this is a new set up, I wouldn't leave lights on for longer than 4 hrs. Slowly increase it as the tank matures.

Did you use tap or salted RO water?

Is it a used or new tank?

[SlickWill613]

New tank.
Bought water at LFS.
And I've heard everything on lights, some say leave em off and Ive been told to leave em on for 48 hours at first and go to 12/12. So I met in the middle and did 12/12 from the start. Wondering if I'll ever see a cycle seeing as how I bought all live sand and cured live rock, I've read that some tanks set up like this never have a cycle.

[Ripped Tide]

If you keep 12/12 then have fun fighting algae! Lol

Coral reef is only exposed to about 3-5 hrs of usable light during the day. A photo cycle only takes about 3 hrs.

You have no corals. Reduce the lights or continue to watch the mess grow.

You may not see much of a cycle. That doesn't mean that you have a liscense to stock the tank. Take it slow. Bacterial and ionic balancing takes time.

Edit: A clean up crew is a great start. I'd prolly add about 8 hermits and 8 snails.

[SlickWill613]

Originally Posted by Ripped Tide

If you keep 12/12 then have fun fighting algae! Lol

Coral reef is only exposed to about 3-5 hrs of usable light during the day. A photo cycle only takes about 3 hrs.

You have no corals. Reduce the lights or continue to watch the mess grow.

You may not see much of a cycle. That doesn't mean that you have a liscense to stock the tank. Take it slow. Bacterial and ionic balancing takes time.

Edit: A clean up crew is a great start. I'd prolly add about 8 hermits and 8 snails.

You think that many snails and hermits? I really want to put an emerald in, should that take the place of some of those? I am actually having fun watching SOMETHING grow in the tank. Had a LFS test my water and they confirmed what my tests had been saying. All is still well, good parameters as of right now. One strange thing, I haven't topped up with freshwater at all, not once but SG is still good, about 1.023-1.024 Could it just be the time of year or climate inside the house? I leave the lid shut most all the time. How soon should I think about the CUC?

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

[Trae]

One week is way too early to put anything in the tank if it is cycling.Take your time. Lights are a part of the cycle, maybe 4hrs a day at max assuming these are near new lights.
Dead reef rock takes a while to cover properly but it will make the rock look so much better when done. If I were you, I would take advantage at the end of cycle and start using a good two part solution to stabilize your alk and grow out Coraline algae. B-ionic gallon jugs are the best IMO. Is it a smaller tank, 55 -90 gallons, what type of light?

[RedStang]

Originally Posted by SlickWill613

That's what I had done, but I noticed the little water level indicator on the side so I took some out. Then the bubbles happened, but I slowly added more until chamber 2 is **** near full and 3 if just over %50. Seems to have stopped spitting bubbles out of the return.

I have my BC filled all the way up. Don't worry much about that fill line.

What filtration are you using? Stock biocube filter and bioballs?

If so do yourself a favor and either make a media rack that goes in chamber two for cheap or buy one from mediabaskets.com for relatively inexpensive. Ditch the bio balls and stock filter. Several of us on here have BC's so ask away!

[SlickWill613]

Originally Posted by RedStang

I have my BC filled all the way up. Don't worry much about that fill line.

What filtration are you using? Stock biocube filter and bioballs?

If so do yourself a favor and either make a media rack that goes in chamber two for cheap or buy one from mediabaskets.com for relatively inexpensive. Ditch the bio balls and stock filter. Several of us on here have BC's so ask away!

Yeah. I've since filled it all the way. A kind soul on these forums has offered me an old Intank media basket he has gathering dust. Still have the stock filter in it for now.