eclipse01_07

I have a 12 gallon biocube that I purchased over the weekend. The people that I bought it off of had it up and running for 2 months. They gave me 10 pounds of live rock, 20 pounds live sand, red and purple mushroom polyps, a Clown Fish, a goby and a Damsel. When they gave it to me they also saved 10 gallons of the water so I just had to do 2 extra gallons and add the sea salt to make my level to the 1.020. I did a dip test and all of my levels are perfect. My problem is, is that if I leave my regular light on for more than like 2 hours the red/brownish algae starts to get noticable on my sand. Why is that? Is everything okay with it? When can I add some soft coral to it? Do I have to recycle it? I talked to an owner of a LFS and she said that I basically took a step backwards and I have to wait like a month to add soft coral or do anything to it. While still doing like 25% water changes weekley.

I know that was alot to read but I need help. Any other information would be great!

Oh yeah, do I need to get a protein skimmer since I will not be running a sump?

au01st

It sounds like a diatom bloom. New tanks get them. Before adding any coral, I would slowly raise the s.g. up to around 1.025.

I do 10% water changes every other week, and unless you have high ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, you don't need to change 25% per week.

Protein skimmers aren't necessary but are helpful. There are also a variety of nice looking macro algaes that you can have in the display that will help with nutrient export.

dave12

does GH matter in a saltwater tank?? it was fine till i added live rock.. is this normal to rise when live rock is added??

agsansoo

In SW we check the DKH more often than any other parameter. Also if you plan to add corals in the future, I would bump the salinity to 1.026.