tank cycling

[labrat31]

Hey guys and gals,

It's the fish novice here with more questions. The NO2 have just started to rise in my tank and I have a bunch of brown algae. I've also set up a refugium with the home depot sand that has not yet been seeded with live sand yet. My tank is going to be a fish only for now. I do have the lights on and the tank contains 5 damsels to initiate the cycling process. The refugium contains bright green algae (with a little brown) while the tank has brown algae. Why is this? Thanks for your help and advice.

Dr. Rick

[Brooke]

I don't have a real scientific explanation...but it's probably the difference in the lighting. Sounds like you are on your way getting through the cycle.

You will probably want to catch those damsels and sell them back to the LFS before you stock your tank. Patience is really key here. The longer you can let your tank mature before adding your livestock, the better.

Brooke

[Reefer94]

Five damsels is a bit much, perhaps they are causing an ammonia spike and the diatoms are taking over. Don't worry, every tank has a diatom bloom. Then a green algea bloom. Then a hair algea bloom.... then a cyanobacteria bloom... then a....

...sorry... at least mine did. All of them eventually disappeared and my tank stabalized. I wouldn't worry, and hopefully those damsels won't be a pain later on!

Cheers.