need some help please new here & hobby.

[BuGG]

I think your tank is going through its normal cycle if it's only 4 months old. The brown stuff might be diatoms and you usually get that with newly set up tanks. Do you have any snails or cleanup crew on the tank now?

You can also bring some of your tank water to Elos, Ocean Gallery or Pet Shanty so they can check if it's within normal range. They are all pretty close to your location.

 

[dppitone]

The only problem your having is lack of experience. And nobody can help you with that. Just take it easy, deal with your matters and learn from them. And I guarantee it's a matter of learning. It's certain that many of us who've been doing this a long time would have setup your system and had no trouble. And that's just on account of experience. So as the saying goes, "let the river flow." To the extent your system is "out of balance," you will overcome as you learn and achieve the right balance. A couple years down the road you'll be looking at everything from a better position. Five years from now you'll be confident with whatever your reef endeavor. We've all been there.

 

[Empire]

I went over to his place and saw how badly the LFS he purchased it from screwed him. They gave him a sump that had only 15 gallons of water volume and a skimmer that was rates for 200g. They also gave him a 940gph return pump. I helped him plumb a 40 breeder as a sump for now and he got the new Reef Octopus POV DC2. He took everything back to the LFS and they exchanged the sump and return pump for a mag 24 and a 75 gallon tank. I'm going to help him build a new sump out of the 75g and re plumb his entire system. I lost all respect for that LFS.

 

[roman3310]

While still going through all the bumps I really appreciate all the support and feed back it definately helps through the process ,Keep it coming. At some point I will sit back & enjoy my tank (atleast thats what my wifey thinks) & to empire thanks for making it clear to what really was going on good looking out!

 

[Cdiggy]

Welcome to the hobby roman! You are way ahead of the learning curve for a newbie. Your tank looks good it just takes time for the tank to go through the cycle. I have had an algae bloom in just about every tank I ever started. If you haven't gotten any chaeto macro Algae for your sump that might be your next step. The stuff really helps a lot. And maybe a cheap led light shining on it when your main tank lights are off. One of these guys that live close to you would probably toss you some for free from their sump ( I would give you some of mine but I am in the Atlantic city area. Hope this helps and welcome to the club )>>

 

[BuGG]

Kudos to empire for helping you out. Too bad the LFS was just looking for a quick buck instead of genuinely hepping out a new customer.