[Wolfeman]

My tank has been running for 3 weeks now. Over the last 4 - 5 days I have began to get alot of dark brown an my sand and in spots all over the glass. I cycled it with live rock and ran my skimmer the entire time. Last Wednesday I added 3 damsels (I asked for Chromas but I guess to Aquatic Discoveries they're the same thing?) One of them did die over the weekend. I didn't see anything as far as markings wrong with him?

I used RO water from Kroger. My amonia has pretty much stayed at 0. I didn't notice it spike after adding the fish. My nitrates have stayed between 4 and 6. PH at 8.4 and salinity at 1.024. My temp is at 78 and climbs to 81 with the MH on. My nitrite test was on backorder so I don't know what it is at. I should have it by next week.

Should I add some cleanup crewmen? Or would this still be part of the cycle?
Thanks,
Wolfeman

 

[BlackGrandPrix]

Your going through a normal brown diatom aglae bloom. All new tanks do this because there is no bacteria on the surface of rocks and sand yet, so the algae is easier to grow on these. You may want to start adding some snails if your nitrite and ammonia levels are in check. Otherwise it will go down on its own as the tank matures. YOu can stir up your sand so at least it looks white.