Is this the ugly phase? That quickly??

[reef tank 2.0]

On my last tank, when i went through the ugly phase, everything was brown. Sand, and rock.

I'm thinking I've been done with the cycle for a month plus. I noticed all my rock (dry rock), is starting to get brown spots in it. But my sand is still white.

Is it possible that this could be the start of the ugly diatoms phase? If so, why is my sand still white?

Here is a picture with my whites on. One full rock picture, and then the second is a close up, to show you the brown spots.

Even though my whites are on and blues at zero, I'm still picking up blue lights. They're not turning all the way off. But hopefully you can see what I'm referring to

 

[tzabor10]

Could be flatworms. Try to get a close up. Velvet Nudibranch will tackle those.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

If that is a possibility, how on earth would they get into my system? I started with dry rock and dry sand, and I only have 1 fish. I haven't introduced anything else into the tank yet

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

The uglies? Buckle up friend.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

you think that's what it is? I hope so. I have never seen it on rocks only.

 

[klc]

Yes its the beginning of the many phases of ugly. You won't be able to combat it with any success. There is no magic bottle of fix all for the uglies so you'll have to just deal with it.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

cool, I just wanted confirmation that's what it was. I'm ok with it, been there, done that

 

[lil sumpin]

Time to start adding CUC

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Yayyyyy. I've been waiting for that day.
Suggestions?

 

[lil sumpin]

Ceriths, astraea, scarlet reef hermits, copepods to name a few

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I did add copapods (forgot about that). But I have a problem buying those and phytoplankton. I struggle to feed something I can't see. Who knows if they're alive or not. So I stopped.

I'll definitely try emails and crabs tho

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I did add copapods (forgot about that). But I have a problem buying those and phytoplankton. I struggle to feed something I can't see. Who knows if they're alive or not. So I stopped.

I'll definitely try emails and crabs tho

If you buy pods and and phyto from a reputable dealer all would assure you that you are getting what you agreed to pay for. After two doses of of dinkins pod blend (can't remember the specific name) and phyto to go with it I have so many big fat healthy pods that I have to scrape them off the glass to photograph it.

Add pods, feed phyto until you run out. Repeat one time. In 5 months you will still be here thinking you were screwed out of money. Then one day you will look at your tank and be shocked at how many pods and the distinctly different varieties you have grown.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Granted, I only added 16oz of pods and 16oz of phyto, feeding till gone. Obviously with my system size, 16oz was not enough. But It was a start. Haven't ever seen one on the glass.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

well, roughly two weeks after seeing this brown stuff, got home today, and it's all gone.
this was ugly but certainly not bad at all. I can live with that

 

[Reefering1]

No, no, no; young grasshopper, it has not yet begun...

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I know there is more to come, but let me enjoy my brief moment of white rock and sand

 

[reef tank 2.0]

and May 24th, my white rocks are now turning green

 

[Reefering1]

Have you been adding cuc?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Ya. I added 10 snails and 10 hermits a couple weeks ago.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

when it comes to this green algae, I don't ever recall having this type. It's definitely hard, and does not come off when scraping with a soft bristled brush. anyone see anything like this before, and what exactly am I looking at? More of the "new tank" process? its on both the sand and the rock

my tank lights are primarily blues, with white being very minimal.

(lights are off, which makes the algae look neon green. once the lights come on, it looks more of a darker brown color)