Brown?

matty0206 · #1 06/28/2006, 05:03 PM

I have alot of my sand that has turned a brown color and the live rock is also brown in most of the area exposed to the light? What is this and is it healthy? Also i have grass like stuff growing on the top of the live rock closest to the light?

hawaiianwargod · #2 06/28/2006, 05:10 PM

matty0206
[welcome]

matty0206 · #3 06/28/2006, 05:51 PM

Oh also how often should i clean and/or replace my filter medium and how often for water changes?

hgbarwick · #4 06/28/2006, 09:17 PM

Do 2 Gallon water changes every week. You need something to sift your sand and get a emrald crab for the brown algea. Welcome to Reefcentral!

matty0206 · #5 06/28/2006, 10:51 PM

I have three red foot crabs and one damsel what should i get to sift the sand and is it to early for a emerald crab my tanks only been running for a little over a week?

daaaaaan · #6 06/28/2006, 11:38 PM

Did you cycle your tank?

matty0206 · #7 06/29/2006, 12:09 AM

Thats what i am doing now I thought? The lfs said i should add the livestock? It almost seems like the brown all over started over night! I bought the live sand live rock and the tank only a little over a week ago?

natep206 · #8 06/29/2006, 12:41 AM

the brown on your sand and tthe hair is just algae most new tanks get them. i woudnt get an emerald crab there ugly and might nip at corals if end up having a reef it also wont help your sand. i would get a sand sifting goby. any of these should work. http://liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1851

i personaly really like the two spot goby.

i would do 2 gallon change every week. pic a day do one every time that day comes around. like i do mine every monday. u dont have to change your filter media onless u have carbon then replace that every 4 monthes or so. and rise all the media every month.

i would get one fish or a pair of fish every month. in your tank 3 very small fish only.

and a invert every week. u can do less then this but i wouldnt do more. the bacteria will bulid up at the same rate.

nate

matty0206 · #9 06/29/2006, 12:49 AM

Should i get a goby with the damsel? And what about the fact the tank is only a week old?

fishes2889 · #10 06/29/2006, 07:54 AM

First off you should have about 6-10 snails in a 12g tank to keep everything clean. Yes, you can put them in now. You probably have GHA and brown algae. Fish wise i would just have about 2-4 SMALL fish. You can probably add fish after the algae is cleaned up to not get it out of control. Wait about a week to a week and a half. Just have patience.

Steve