ok not to have algae blooms?

[salty420]

I started my tank (37 gal) on 3/6 and I have no algae growing at all. Tank is still empty, well except about 10 lbs LR (getting another 25# on 3/28). Seems to be through it's cycle now, readings are:
nitrates <20 ppm
nitrites 0
ALK >300
pH ~8 (need to get buffer still)
ammonia 0
I figured by now I'd have brown sand but it's still white and pretty. The LR seems to be a little darker then it was but no obvious algae blooms. Is this normal? The lights are off but the blinds in the room are open so it does get (very) indirect sunlight. I will be going out of town next month so am in no hurry to get fish (going to wait till end of April when I get back) but was hoping to add some inverts before then. I figured there would be some algae by now for snails and such to feed off of... Still going to wait a bit to get them tho till I see the condition of the "cured" LR I purchased off eBay... Thanks!

[Reefscape]

It is more than likely because your not using your lights i think..One of the main sources for algae growth is light...

[Germanman]

It is more than likely because your not using your lights i think..One of the main sources for algae growth is light...

yup need light to grow

[salty420]

I do turn on the lights very occasionally to stare at my empty tank. Guess that and the indirect light it gets isn't enough to grow anything... I did want to get a clean up crew in the next week or so (I'm getting anxious!) but don't want to starve them! Should I start turning the light on then?

[Reefscape]

trouble is, your more than likely going to get the alage bloom as soon as you start you lighting properly anyway, so get it on now with timers and get it out of the way....

Niko

[NapoliNewJersey]

I do turn on the lights very occasionally to stare at my empty tank. Guess that and the indirect light it gets isn't enough to grow anything... I did want to get a clean up crew in the next week or so (I'm getting anxious!) but don't want to starve them! Should I start turning the light on then?


Hillarious ... I think we all stare at our empty tanks waiting as if something was going to happen ... I'm at my tank with my face pressed against the glass for 10 min in the morning 20 min in the afternoon and 30 min at night. I can relate to everything you said.

[Subliminal]

I've had my tank up and running for about a month now, cycled for several weeks, and just got lights this weekend.

Came home today, and half of my rock is brown. Lol. Stupid lights!

;)

[Reefscape]

we all have it mate...it will pass, dont worry...lol

Niko

[Germanman]

Hillarious ... I think we all stare at our empty tanks waiting as if something was going to happen ... I'm at my tank with my face pressed against the glass for 10 min in the morning 20 min in the afternoon and 30 min at night. I can relate to everything you said.

wait tell u have things in there!
ill sit in front of my reef and the clock will go from 5pm to 11:30pm lol

[salty420]

I've had my tank up and running for about a month now, cycled for several weeks, and just got lights this weekend.

Came home today, and half of my rock is brown. Lol. Stupid lights!

;)
Well that makes me feel better that it's not just my tank...

And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one staring at rocks!

[lotuskid]

Well that makes me feel better that it's not just my tank...

And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one staring at rocks!

Been there done that LOL :) Then you start seeing tiny things growing and moving and thinking "what on earth is that". Luckily we're in the right place to get ID's.

[i_limantara]

haha... same problem tat i have too...
a month ago... my tank become brown color...including the rock.... sand... etc
made me sad back then....
my macro algae has grow nicely... i put a 6 watt (blue color) submarine light just beside it...

and nitrate goes down right now....

ammonia = 0
nitriti = 0
nitrate < 12.5 ppm
ph = 8
calsium = 440