question??

[melissadotson]

i have a new 10gal SW tank i just set up about 3 weeks ago.i am use a few damsels to cycle it..everything is going good so far...i just started feeding them frozen brine shrimp as well as they'er flake food.. i slao added some more live rock about a week ago..my question is can the frozed food stain the rock or the glass on the tank? cause i have brownish colored spots on my tank glass, also some of my live rock is redish brown looking..any idea what it is ? what's causeing it? or will it hurt the fish? any answers greatly appreiated... thank you....P.S. fish are very healthy and full of life... :werd:

 

[Ace25]

Sounds like very typical diatoms or algae. Your tank is probably going to look worse in the coming months before it starts to look better. It is a completely natural cycle of new SW tanks and nothing to be concerned about. Just keep up on regular water changes (once your cycle is complete) and position powerheads to get the most flow possible by aiming them correctly (towards spots where brown is forming).

No, frozen food will not "stain" glass or rocks, although flake has been known to leave some coloring behind for a short time on occasion. I wouldn't think it is your food causing what your seeing though, just normal "cycling" of the tank. After your initial Nitrate cycle with makes the tank "safe" for livestock, you will then start having various algae blooms that are not really harmful to livestock, but it is ugly to look at.