New tank, purple stuff all over the sand?

[Timanator]

Howdy guys, long time listener, first time attempt at the SW.

The tank was cycled using established rocks and mixed water(Coralife Sand). This is 2 and half weeks later,

Nitrate - 20
nitrite - around 0
Ph around 8.0

So yesterday when I get home, it looks like there is purple stuff all over the sand. From reading forums, I thought this was the diatom algae growth that was mentioned. Well today, there is brown stuff all over the sand too along with the purple. So whats the purple stuff?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-7-2006002.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-7-2006002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-7-2006004.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-7-2006004.jpg

[Rob]

looks like a cyanno bloom and diatom bloom
Cyanno = purple/red , slimy looking
diatom = red/brown, powdery looking

totally normal for new tanks.. no worries.. just stay on track and it will get better in time...
from the looks of it, it very well may get worse before it gets better, just FYI...

[Seahorsedreams]

Gee, I've never seen cyano as a part of the cycle but those are some good pics of the cyano and diamtoms without a doubt.

[Timanator]

Hey guys

I been paying attention and listening to the podcasts over and over at work. Lets just see how it plays out!

:)

[Amphibious]

http://www.theculturedreef.com/welcome.gif to Talking Reef Community, Timanator.

Rob is smack-on with the advice. It will get worse. Looks like you are using a DSB. In time, that will activate and take down your Nitrates. What size tank are you working with?

[Timanator]

The tank is a 10 gallon. I am moving most of the sand to the fuge when the cycle is done.

I installed a MaxiJet 900 last night, This increased the flow in the tank quit a bit. This morning, looks like most of the algae are gone(Purple and brown)

[JustDavidP]

Yep... a purdy mix of cyano and diatoms. The increased flow should help....otherwise, it's like a cold virus in a cycle/new tank...you really have to let it take its course.

Rob should have also included the fact that cyano can also come in purdy shades of green and even black too!


This morning, looks like most of the algae are gone(Purple and brown)

It always looks better in the morning.. because it's had no light all night. Report back when you get home and see it during the photoperiod. It will probably darken up and look a little worse. Good news is, if you keep the photoperiod short, (if you need light at all) and keep up the flow and water changes...it should end soonest.

Dave

[Timanator]

Thanks David, I will lower the time on my PC's.

[JustDavidP]

De Nada... Do you have anything in there that does require the light? Your base rock and live rock can go a couple/few days without light. You may want to shut them down for a short period.

Dave

[Timanator]

I just have 2 hermits 2 snails, and some feather duster that comes out of the sand every once in a while.(Cant seem to catch a pic of him)

[Timanator]

Got them now!



http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/ti...2-8-2006021.jpg (http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006021.jpg)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006021.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/ti...2-8-2006015.jpg (http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006015.jpg)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006015.jpg


not sure what this it?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/ti...2-8-2006022.jpg (http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006022.jpg)
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/timjing/12-8-2006022.jpg

[JustDavidP]

Zoanthid or other type of polyp.