Chia Rock

[puretexn]

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/6013/img0695ps4.jpg
I came home today and this grew over the rock. It was noticable last night, but tonight it's crazy.

What do I need to check? or do?

Thanks,

PT

[Texreefer]

probalby nothing at this point. normal part of a new cycle.. will tend to look much worse after the lights have been on for a while

[puretexn]

Cool, Thanks!

[Joshua]

Good old diatoms. You can slow it down a little by not running the lights too much but like Mike said it's normal part of getting your tank up and running.

[SoLiD]

Yeah... I hate that phase... but its all normal.

[Kyle46N]

No worries, it will starve itself away in a few weeks.

[Mr Cob]

"Chia rock"... that's funny!

[RayAllen]

Has to get ugly before its pretty.

[puretexn]

Good lord, It's taking over my crushed coral today. I sure hope the rainbow is nice after this thunderstorm.

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4812/img0698pf5.jpg

PT

[Mr Cob]

Man, I've never seen it that crazy...I think I would be inclined to cut back on the lighting, maybe an hour at a time or even in half hour phases. Drop it back an hour and wait a couple of days, then in half hour increments weekly until you get the right lighting phase for your tank.

JMO.

[Mr Cob]

I also would personally stir the top of the sand lightly daily until it stops growing on it.

JMO again.

[justahobby]

Did you scrub or treat the rocks in any way before tossing 'em in?

[puretexn]

I got some timers tonight. I think the lighting is what did it. I turn them on (mhl and the flouresence) at 5:30am when I leave for work. Turn the mhl off around 5:30pm when I get home, but I leave the tubes on till midnight when I go to bed.

I did not scrub or treat the rock. I believe it was cured when I got it.

[apedroza]

Are you using RO/DI water??? Water changes should help also.

[Joshua]

I don't think I'd do any water changes yet, the tank has only been running about 1 week.

[RayAllen]

I got some timers tonight. I think the lighting is what did it. I turn them on (mhl and the flouresence) at 5:30am when I leave for work. Turn the mhl off around 5:30pm when I get home, but I leave the tubes on till midnight when I go to bed.

I did not scrub or treat the rock. I believe it was cured when I got it.

I just read it again about the tubes being on from 5:30am-12 midnight. Thats 18hours- thats the problem. The coral reef doesnt get 18hrs of light, neither should your tank.

Cut down to around 6-7 hrs total lighting for the entire day untill you get your problem in check. There is now reason to turn your aquarium light on @ 5:30am just because you are starting your day, especially when you are not there to enjoy it. Most of us id say schedule our lights on hours we can enjoy them. For example, I work 8-5 so I have my lights on a 2pm-10pm schedule that way when im off my friend and I have ample time of aquarium viewing/enjoyment.

Do you have your lights on Timers? If not get a couple they are cheap and put your tank on a regular schedule which allows the tank critters to become used to the light because it seems more natural and less eratic.

[puretexn]

Thanks guys. I got my timers hooked up, and I'm not going to have them on during the day. I just ordered a skimmer, so that should help.

My water is from Aquarium Masters. No tap at all. and I top off with distilled.

[puretexn]

After the tank did its thing, and changed my lighting time....I went to Aquarium Masters and got snails and hermits. Those critters polished the turd!

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4916/img0730ox2.jpg

PT

[Andrew v.s wild]

My 75 is cycling too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0njP1bw0Wfc

[Noober]

order a cleanup crew man, with lots of white light that stuff really likes to go all out thick carpet on the sand sometimes.... good luck

[Noober]

wait nevermind i didnt see page two lol