[aryesapir]

Hello,

I started a new 30 gallon tank a month ago and everything seems to be going well. Currently, all I have in the tank (along with the live rock & sand) are 6 Hermit crabs, and 12 turbo snails...which I've had for about a week and are doing well.

However, I recently did my first test for calcium and phosphate, and both seemed high. Calcium was around 600 and Phosphate around .4, I have also noticed brown growth (algae?) on my rock and sand. Is this a problem? and if so what should I do to remedy it? The guy at my local shop said to buy soft corals...(my tank is set up for reef), but isn't it too early?

Apologies for the long winded post...and thanks for your comments.

[glampka]

Welcome to RB!!!
What kind of water did you use to set up the tank - tap or RO/DI? Phosphate could be coming in from water, salt mix, carbon if you're using it.
Brown growth are diatoms - perfectly normal. CUC should handle it. Type of corals will all depend on what lighting you have.

[aryesapir]

Thanks for your reply!

I use tap water, and I have a aquaclear 60 gallon filter, which does use carbon. I also use purpleup almost everyday.

Also, What are CUC's ?

My light is the coralife 130 with two bulbs it came with.
Any recomendations?

Thanks Again!

[glampka]

BINGO!!!! You're calcium is high because of the Purple Up! Stop using it. It won't start coralline algae. You need to introduce it to your tank by way of LR or having it on crab/snail shells.
Tap water is no good. You're adding a ton of nutrients that will grow nuisance algae. Use RO/DI water (reverse osmosis/deionized).
CUC - clean up crew
Your lights will be good for mushrooms & leathers.

[SweeTang22]

Originally Posted by aryesapir

Thanks for your reply!

I use tap water, and I have a aquaclear 60 gallon filter, which does use carbon. I also use purpleup almost everyday.

Also, What are CUC's ?

My light is the coralife 130 with two bulbs it came with.
Any recomendations?

Thanks Again!

any way to get RO water. if so do it, you will be happy. it is stable and controling pH is easier. also you get to control most everything that goes into it. im guessing phosphates are coming in from tap water, but what type of salt mix are you using. im not sure what brand everybody else likes but i use kent.