Dawn On The Reef

[BigC]

As the Ammonia and Nitrite have both shown Zero ppm in the test vials, I performed a 3 gallon waterchange last night and another 3 gallon waterchange this morning.
Testing all parameters this morning produced the following results
Temp = 79.4'F
SG = 1.025
pH = 8.0
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = Neglegable

Well on those values I nipped out to the LFS for some cleanup crew. When I got there I bought 6 Turbo/Astrea snails and 4 Red Legged Hermit Crabs. They dont stock any other type of snail (a popular demand thing I was told) so I'll have to bite the bullet and order some scavengers off the net. They had some nice true peppermint shrimps in. Funny how they always have the things you want too early in your journey and when the time is right for you they're nowhere to be found. (or it seems that way)
Just as a matter of interest could some knowledgeable person show me the difference, between Turbo and Astrea snails. I'm sure its glaringly obvious once you know. When I do a search on google pics I get conflicting photos. So if some kind person could point out the difference then I would be eternally greatful.

Below are some shots of the acclimatisation process I'm adopting.

I really wanted to place the snails in specific locations to get on with the job but they just formed a clump and held on to each other, so not wishing to damage their foot parts, I got them aclimatised nicely and just put them in the tank gently as a group. They grip like mad.
The hermits are quite a lazy bunch not doing really all that much at present. I think I have a little rogue amongst the four. Three look the same with dark red legs whilst the other one is orange in colour and is a lot more upwardly mobile. He wants to explore and has covered every corner of the tank even at this early stage (I'll post some more pics when the crew are settled. The oddball is going to get into trouble he's already climbing the rockwall. I'm going to have to make a grid at the top of the equipment wells for as sure as eggs are eggs he's gonna get in there.

I'm now on the lookout for some Trocus snails in the UK any ideas where I could obtain some!!! (cheap postage if poss)

Regards
BigC

 

[rhysiboy]

hey dude have you still got algae issues? If so then what i would personaly suggest is doing a black out for about a week. I do this about once every two months (only for 2 days though) and it seems to give my clean up crew a fighting chance if any algaes have gotten a bit out of hand. Also youl be amazed at how clear your tank will go after the lights of period. It might not be the best way to proceed with your tank but its worth a bit of thinking

 

[steelhealr]

Those look like really nice astrea snails. Personally, I love them. They can't right themselves easily, so, if one falls, turn it over. If unsure if alive or dead, give it a sniff.

Diatoms and hair algae are expected arrivals. I can't think of a single new nano tank that didn't have 'something'. Rhysi has a beautiful tank but I am not a big supporter of 'lights off'. That is treating the symptom and not the problem. The problem..if that is what you want to call it....is a new nutrient rich environment and removal of competition from the ocean...other competing algaes, algae eating animals, etc. Your best way to do this is to do water changes...phosphate binder....trim...etc. Do you test for phosphates? If you use RO, it is probably not helpful, but, food, etc can contribute later on. A refugium can help. SH

 

[rhysiboy]

Im not maajorly keen on relying on using lights off as a cure beccause quite simply it just reduces the quantity of the problem algae. It does however give your clean up crew a fighting chance to plow through a fair bit of it and make the odds a bit more even. It's quite a contraversial method really but an open mind will get you far. Also big c if you do try it make sure you keep an eye on all of the chemistry just in case of any building of ammonia, nitrite or excesive nitrate due to algae die off. If any of that occurs then get ya lights on :yup:

 

[@ombomb]

The point being Rhysi, it's a quick fix, not a solution.

As with anything like this, the solution is getting your water chemistry right.

 

[BigC]

Points taken guys, I was just concerned that the CUC wont be able to cope. Thus having to employ more. (getting some trocus snails and blue leg hermits)
I've cut down on the photoperiod to try and use disruptive tactics as in freshwater plant weaponry against alge blooms but this is only a short term fix. I am using RO water and I have Rowaphos in the filter chamber lots of Rowaphos, I have been advised that blue leg hermits are good and macro algae to compete/starve the neusience algae out.
Regards
BigC

 

[xxBarneyxx]

One thing I can advise from my limited experience is to get some extra shells for your hermits asap or they will either end up fighting each other for them or killing the snails for theirs.

 

[SkiFletch]

I'll also chime in here real quick like. The way you tell the difference between Astrea and Turbo is easy. Astrea (what you have now) are very conical in shape. Turbos have much more round circular shells and are generally significantly larer than Astrea.

The toughest one can be the difference between Astrea and Trochus. Both have similar conical shapes. Trochus grow larger than Astrea but an older, larger Astrea can certainly be bigger than a young Trochus. The differences are in the shell coloration and definitely the body coloration. Trochus have a dark green patterning on their shell while the Astrea's patterning is gray or blackish. Also, Trochus have significant green splotching on their bodies while Astrea do not.

Last thing, beware the difference in Turbo Snails. There are coldwater and warm water Turbos, you obviously wan the warm water ones which look like this

 

[littleme1969]

Hi Big C
I'll send you some hermit shells over today with your Macro.. Save you buying any Mine have out grown them now so no use to me.

 

[BigC]

Many Thanks LM. Much appreciated
Well that solves that....I have Astrea snails (Damm LFS) anyway thanks Ski for clearing that up.
Was looking to get some Trocus aswell but no good if I'm sent some more Astrea. I knew this was going to get awkward at some stage.
Thanks a million guys for helping out.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

OK just a little update,
I've had to scrub the LR with a toothbrush, (TBH it was getting beyond a joke) hoover everything and perform a few daily waterchanges. Funnily enough everything is still alive and kicking, I thought the water stats were going to swing wildly out of control but everything has remained pretty constant and the stats make good eye candy. I also cleaned out the canister filter sponges with used aquarium water and discarded the old Rowaphos bag and replaced with a new massive sack of the aformentioned phosphate remover. The Astrea snails have stopped their piggyback riding and they are tackling the rockwall of diatoms. (funny no hair algae formed on it to any extent) The small hermits have woken up and are busy munching away. When I first placed them in the tank they just laid their and sunbathed, now they're much more mobile.
Getting some more CUC tomorrow (via post) namely, Blue legged hermits (sml), 10 Ceriths and 4 Nassarius snails. See if that helps somewhat. (yes I am putting extra shells in for the hermits) I'll post some pics tomorrow maybe if I get the chance after acclimatising the new arrivals.
Big thank has to go to littleme for sending me some Macro algae and extra hermit shells. I appreciate her generosity.
Noticed that the shells of both hermits and Astrea are taking on a purpleish colour is this good or bad. Think its coraline, would I be right.
Regards
BigC

 

[littleme1969]

Yup youll find they get all sorts growing on them, mine have sponges and other strange growths even the odd tiny feather duster

 

[BigC]

odd tiny feather duster

Funny thats my one and only visual hitch-hiker. But wait hold the front page... I'm the proud owner of a tube like fan worm 2cms, just starting to re-crown. Wow that is exciting. (for me anyway)
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Whilst I'm dealing frantically with Hair Algae heres a couple more pics of new additional CUC.

10 Jumbo Ceriths and 3 Tongan Nassarius

12 Small Blue Legged Hermits

Busy trying to eliminate Phosphates at the mo.
Regards
BigC

 

[littleme1969]

Slow and steady wins the race here Big C!! Give it time and it will all come right