70l Nano Journal

[SkiFletch]

That little pink thing looks like a type of anemone for sure. Not aiptasia, but perhaps a related corallimorph anemone. Since you've only got one, I'd leave it for now and see if it starts growing like weeds. If so, treat as aiptasia

To tell for sure if its an ocellaris or percula clown, you've got to count the spines on its dorsal fin (most easily done with a pic when its flaring )

Not sure if thats Diatoms, I know your tank is young but it COULD be cyanobacteria. Have you considered substrate vaccuming when you do water changes?

 

[JaminRat]

I'm running 2 x 24W T5 50/50 tubes for 10 hours per day.

I've tried hovering it up and it's stuck like sh!t to a blanket the vac wont lift it.

As for the nem there is one other much smaller tucked around a corner that is hard to photo. Are all corallimorph nems bad news?

There are loads of other species of algae in there too including what I think is hair algae but it's very short and most photos I've seem it looks much longer.

 

[SkiFletch]

Not all corallimorph anemones are bad. Only those that reproduce really quickly like aiptasia or mojano are bad. Problem is they sting so powerful, when they reproduce very quickly you can get into some coral aggression issues really quick

 

[Mr Miagi]

I thought it looked like a macro algae on first inspection! Hard to tell. Do the tenticles retract if you poke them?

 

[JaminRat]

Not all corallimorph anemones are bad. Only those that reproduce really quickly like aiptasia or mojano are bad. Problem is they sting so powerful, when they reproduce very quickly you can get into some coral aggression issues really quick

Cool do you have any suggestions where I could get an ID from. Also with ref the algae issues, I have a Mithrax crab on order but was doa on the last delivery to my lfs which I think may help if it is cyano. Could you help ID with a better pic or any other info I can give.

Many thanks
Ben

Sorry just noticed your post Miagi. Poked it and nothing happened. But it does have a fleshy appearance.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Many Macro can have a fleshy texture, but IME it isnt a Corallimorph, Majano, Aiptasia, or Anemone if it didnt react to being poked!

 

[JaminRat]

Just MORE algae then I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. I can't make out a stem or foot on it but most macro algae I have looked at tend to be either quite rigid or have viened 'leaves'. I'm not sure if that's the right way to put it but I think you'll get my meaning.

 

[Mr Miagi]

If it is a macroalgae, its good! Its micro algae that goes wild, and considered pests in our tanks. Macro algae are algaes which many try to grow, for the purpose of filtration (consume nitrates/phosphates and remove nutrients), protection of micro/macro inverts like Amphipods for a food source, and just plain aesthetics. As ive only got generally Australian Macroalgae/Seaweed reference books, I cant find an ID, but it still could be something else. Hard to tell.

Macro can also come in MANY shapes and forms.

 

[SkiFletch]

Back to the brown algae, can you take more of a closeup of it? Macro mode and a stand to support your hands/arms will help for closeup pics, depends how good your camera is.

 

[JaminRat]

Mr Miagi sorry was badly worded was just hoping for a first non algal hitchhiker. There are loads of different types growing on the LR I'll post some pics some are quite interesting and looks like I've got quite a few good ones.

Ski I'll take some pics in the morning it's late here and I'll be getting back up in 5 -6 hours I'll dig out the tripod and get as close as pos just got a new dig cam and it looks pretty good.

 

[JaminRat]

OK I've got some more pics of the various algaes to try and ID and have been to my LFS today and had my makeup water (DI) tested as I was a little unsure about it as I'm using a portable lab system at home to make it up not the big system at work where I can check the conductivity (then convert to TDS). Turns out that my make up is @ 3ppm and no trace of PO3/4. LFS recons that the water is probably @ 0ppm coming from the DI but is taking on something from the container. I make up a container once a week which is then used for daily topups and sealed when not in use. The sample he tested today had been sat around for 3 days. At least that rules out my water as a cause for concern.

Pics are uploading at the moment and it's taking a while I have uploaded them in the highest res allowed by photobucket but if a higher res would be helpful PM me your email addy and the ones you want and I'll send them over.

 

[JaminRat]

Pics as promissed.
image 74

image 63

image 62

image 61

image 58

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As you can see some are good news but some are not. As for the unidetified pink/red thing it has been deviding I've seen 2 mini me's from it in the last couple of hours so I'm thinking it is going to be a pest. Any input much appreciated as always.

 

[JaminRat]

Found the cause PO3/4 @ 10ppm and thats with Rowaphos running 24/7. I have to be honest and say I have not been keeping a close eye on it only testing Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, temp and sg. Even so it has shot up from 0.5 in around 5 days.

I've put in a fresh load of Rowaphos and will add more asap. Could do with some advice on lowering it I'm thinking 20% water change every other day until the level is under control. I have double confirmed my make up water today with my lfs both testing it for PO3/4 and finding 0ppm and discovering my makeup ater is @ 3ppm tds. Need to tackle this quickly before it gets any worse so a prompt reply would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Ben.

 

[SkiFletch]

Wow, still a little difficult to get a poisitive ID on that algae, even with the great closeup shots. Looks like the color of diatoms with the texture of cyanobacteria. Either way, at 10ppm phosphates, you've located your problem. I forget, do you skim, and what do you feed? Its possible that whatever your feeding or your lack of skimming is contributing to your rampant phosphate control problems. Definitely change out your rowaphos and consider doing a 50% water change before that. Seems like a lot, but with few fish in there it may go a long way to helping you, more so than 20% changes daily.

 

[JaminRat]

Thanks Ski, I don't skim and have already swaped out the Rowaphos and will make up water today for a change this evening. Would 2 25% changes do the job as I would have to use multiple containers for a 50% which would cause a few problems as I only have 1 spare heater and powerhead. I'll then start with the 20% daily tomorrow. Would skimming help to reduce the phosphate level.

I feed a cmbination of foods Marine flake (Nutrafin), frozen brine shrimp and a good quality frozen marine mix can't remember the name though.