everything is turning brown

[Mrsjameyj]

I converted my 36 gallon fresh water corner tank of 5 years to a saltwater tank. I know that it's a lot of work and am up to the challenge.
It has a fluval 204 with new filters and carbons. I also bought that live sand in a bag to help with the process. I also mixed my own salt water where the salinity level sits at 1.022-1.024.
It's been cycling for over 2 months but now everything is turning brown...

Nitrates - 20
Nitrites - 0
PH - 7.8
Alkalinity - 120

please help!!

[betamed]

If you could be more specific about"everything turning brown" do you mean that there is a brown film over the rocks and glass? If so it is probably bacteria or algae growth feeding on the nitrates. A good skimmer and Live rock will reduce the bad things that feed it. Also do you use tap water or RO/DI. Tap water can have a lot of impurities that feed algae.

[leveldrummer]

sounds like an algae bloom, diatoms probably, thats usually a sign that the cycling is finishing, and some of the excess nutrients are starting to be used by pest algaes, they will usually go away quickly when the use up thier food supply.

[JennM]

First off, WELCOME TO TRT !!!

I see a couple of things - and I'm going to ask more questions to get a bigger picture of your tank

Fluvals aren't the best for saltwater, and that's possibly why your nitrates are high. Be sure to remove the biological media and just use it for mechanical/chemical filtration. A protein skimmer would be a good idea or at least another powerhead to help with agitation of the water.

What all do you have inhabiting the tank? What are your other parameters? What type of lighting and how old are the lamps?

Tap water or RO/DI?

How much are you feeding and how often?

It's likely brown diatom algae but if you set the tank up several months ago, usually that part has come and gone by now - so something is "feeding" it - likely nitrate and possibly phosphate.

Jenn

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by JennM

First off, WELCOME TO TRT !!!

I see a couple of things - and I'm going to ask more questions to get a bigger picture of your tank

Fluvals aren't the best for saltwater, and that's possibly why your nitrates are high. Be sure to remove the biological media and just use it for mechanical/chemical filtration. A protein skimmer would be a good idea or at least another powerhead to help with agitation of the water.

What all do you have inhabiting the tank? What are your other parameters? What type of lighting and how old are the lamps?

Tap water or RO/DI?

How much are you feeding and how often?

It's likely brown diatom algae but if you set the tank up several months ago, usually that part has come and gone by now - so something is "feeding" it - likely nitrate and possibly phosphate.

Jenn

good points jenn, she mentioned, that the tank has been cycling for 2 months, seems long, but i took it as it isnt stocked. but a skimmer is a great idea.



and im an idiot for not saying WELCOME to TRT!!

[zero186]

same thing happened with me right after my tank was turning the last corner on cycling did you make sure to use RO water?

[Tynan Rasmus]

yeah mine did it too, but as it didnt need to cycle it did it in the first week, then it went away on its own shortly after.

[PlanoReef]

As a person who has been in the hobby for a few years I find this site invaluable, you will be hard pressed to find a place that is as friendly and "flame free" a place to post your questions. This is an excellent site for people who are new to the hobby or just have questions. Of course thats my opinion.

Enjoy your stay and good luck!

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! It sounds to me as part of cycling of the tank.

[partobe]

welcome to trt!!
I think everyone is right your tank is just about ready to finish its cycle. I also agree that the fluval isn't what you need for your tank (been there done that) Like stated you need a good skimmer(the best you can afford) and a cpl of seio pumps for flow. If you do want to keep the fluval remove all filters and bio media that will only cause your nitrates to climb. Also ro/di water is the best water to use for top off and water changes.
If you decide you need any of these things "ro unit seios pumps power heads skimmers" just ask everyone here would be more than happy to direct you to a on line dealer.
Patrick

[zero186]

yea when i was cycling my 10g i had a huge brown problem. it came from not useing RO water and its was gone in a couple weeks and it was all good as new.

[Tynan Rasmus]

Originally Posted by zero186

yea when i was cycling my 10g i had a huge brown problem. it came from not useing RO water and its was gone in a couple weeks and it was all good as new.

You will get it with or without RO

[Mrsjameyj]

Thanks everyone!!

I have a few questions... what is RO and how do I get it??

[tyson]

RO= reverse osmosis

you can purchase gallon jugs at the store(grocery, wal mart etc..), or you could purchase an RO/DI unit.

[Tynan Rasmus]

man I wish you could purchase RO that easily around here. Its hard to find where I live.