Is this about the norm?

I have a 125g with 150 lbs of rock and a few fish in it and its been going for about 2 months now. This is my first salt water/potential reef tank. My ammonia and nitrites have been 0 for over a month and my nitrates are at about 20-25. Is it normal for it to have algae blooms here and there unitl the tank is more stable? Its mostly on the substrate. I had been doing water changes once a week and I noticed the sand got really dirty So i did this last water change and cleaned the sand with the syphon. Afterwards the sand looked nice and white and looked really good. Now about 1 week later it looks the same as it did before. Is this normal for a beginning tank? Will it subside eventually? I've been adding to my cuc here and there which I am not done with yet. I currently have 45 blue leg hermits, 10 dwarf or small cerinths and 20 nassarius snails.
So is this normal?

 

it is normal for a new tank to go through various algae stages
but IMO , your CUC snails aspect is a bit light for that amount of water

if I where you I would check out reef cleaners , one of the sponsors of this site
and they would advise you on a CUC that would be ideal for you tank
which would help you ensure the algae situation does not get out of control

also consider testing for Phosphates if your not already as elevated levels of this nutrient can turn normal tank cycle associated algaes into real nuisance infestations

Steve

 

Ya, I already went thru reef cleaners. Im working on a much larger CUC that they suggested, I was just adding it over time. Looks like I need to go ahead and start adding it faster.
I'll check out the phosphates as well.

 

FASTER...Not a good word in this hobby!!!! Just let it go--it will pass. Brings back my memories of frustration;D

 

Well I meant adding my cuc. I could have added it all at once or over time which is what im doing so they dont starve due to it being a new tank. I dont think faster is so bad with a cuc that is lacking right now.

 

i agree with adding the cuc faster. thats prob one of the few things you can do fast here. lol

 

ya one of the only things probably.

 

I dont do water changes or clean sand while tank is doin this. Its doin whats natural until it goes through its stages and you keep starting it back up. I dont have large cuc either. I have few blue hemits and few snails for my tanks after they have become very stable.

 

Thx a lot. thats the kind of inpit I was looking for.