Hi all,

I figured I'd ask this question here since I took some advice from a thread here while preparing my substrate. Monday afternoon I setup my 10 gallon tank, and did a fancy setup with my substrate. Per another thread here, I used 1/2" of boiled soil, flourite and layed out some sandy areas that will not be planted. I treated my water with the chlorine stuff and filled 'er up to get the filter going and get the water temp stable.

Today I stopped home for lunch (I'm waiting for gobs of plants to arrive throughout this week), and I notice the water color is turning yellowish green. I turn the light on, and sure enough, it's looking yellow. I have nothing in the tank except for my substrate concoction and lights are off for now. I won't have fish for at least 8 weeks or better, until I have my tank heavily planted, and the plants get established.

Am I getting some kind of nasty algae going already because of the nutrients in the soil?

I know I can do a water change, and I do have an unused charcoal pad for my filter (eheim ecco 2232), but what SHOULD I be doing otherwise? I imagine it will be a another day at LEAST, until I get some plants in there (that's if they survive shipping in the cold) and get the co2 on. With any other situation, I would tear it apart, rinse everything and start over, but I have ALOT of work into my tank layout so far, and doing that would be heartbreaking, and I wouldn't have a place for plants when they arrive.

Have I started my algae battle early?

Any advice would be appreciated! I never expected this, since the tank is in the basement, no lights, blah blah blah. I thought I was doing the right thing by getting things stable before the plants come.

:gw What is happening in your tank is normal. Nutrients are being released by the substrate and "eaten" by algae and also bacteria, who reproduce, since there is nothing else in there to consume those nutrients.

After you plant your tank, hopefully heavily, the algae/bacteria will disappear.

Good luck!

Bill

Thanks Bill,

I do have "alot" of plants comming. Some difficult ones, and some fast growers and floaters just to kick things in gear. I just hope they get here quick and alive! I was fearing that this was that horrible blue-green algae that people have such a hard time getting rid of, and to have it start so early... Yikes.

You are off to a good start. And dont worry about BGA. That is easily dealt with.

There are other algaes though . . . .

You will do fine!

Bill