My First Adventure In The Salty Side!

[sorgan]

Get 2 peppermints, I've recently read a report on peppers eating aip's and it seems (for some unknown reason) that they are more inclined to attack them if in pairs.
This would seem obvious as twice the Shrimp, half the work but it also seems whilst one shrimp is tearing into the anenome the other just kicks about watching

Be aware though that you will very rarely see them.

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay thanks, thats something to think about. Would the tank be big enough for two? Im hoping these shrimp will take care for me or ill look into using joes juice.

After seffie mentioned it, I have decided I would like to run a phosphate reactor. Any tips or hints/info?

Im thinking this?


James

 

[seffieuk]

After seffie mentioned it, I have decided I would like to run a phosphate reactor. Any tips or hints/info?

Im thinking this?

Have you looked at the Reactors thread I bumped for you? The Kent Marine reactor looks good, I would go for it

Seffie x

 

[jameshughes1989]

Hey yeah I did thanks. I had a look through that thread and found it very interesting. I think ill go for the one in the link. It seems very good value for money but time will tell. Although, I have read many good reviews on it. That may not come for a couple of weeks though, this whole reef thing is costing an arm and a leg

On a plus, I bought a little present tonight. My nitrates dropped to 5-10 so I got a cleaner shrimp, who I have named Clive I also got 2 cerith snails but they havent come out. They have been in the tank for 4 hours, is this normal? Im starting to think they just sold me shells?!


James

 

[simonas]

Hi James
how you finding the cleaner shrimp?

I love my two possibly my favourite tank inhabitants, so intersting to watch and always active and out my two

 

[jameshughes1989]

Im loving him already, I always liked them and always wanted one. He is really interesting to watch, clambering all over the rocks. He didnt even bother trying to hide, he just started grazing as soon as I put him in. Still not sure on the snails though, im thinking duds! lol Ill have to take them back.

I was going to get some hermits too but they didnt have any blue legged, Ive read that these are better algae eaters? Ill post pics of the shrimp tomorrow.

James

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay, I just read that cleaner shrimp should be kept in pairs. I never saw this before but is it true? If so, I dont think my tank is big enough for 2?

James

 

[-Nemo-]

They don't need to be kept in pairs and I agree, you should stay with just one.

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay thanks. Water stats as of today:

Temp: 26
SG: 1.26
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 10
Ca: 400
Mg: 1100
Po4: 0.25

I believe that my calcium and magnesium levels are low, aswel as my phosphate level being too high! Any ideas on how to solve them? Should I add calcium and magnesium additives? I am running rowaphos but only started Sunday, maybe the phosphate will reduce.

James

 

[seffieuk]

The calcium is fine but yes the Mag is a little low, however I would leave it alone for now and see what happens after your next water change.

Give the phosphate remover a bit of time............

Seffie x

 

[jameshughes1989]

Hey, thanks Seffie. Maybe the water change will raise it. That is what I was thinking about the phophate remover, it was probably higher. Hope fully when I set up a reactor that will sort itself out. I seem to be getting hair algae everywhere!

Some pics:

Clive and snails acclimatizing

Clive in the tank

With lots of algae

The dud snail!

James

 

[simonas]

Clive is lovely!!! they get a decent size my too are far bigger than when I first got them

 

[GGtank]

Throw in some turbos and that algae will be gone in no time!

Rhy

 

[jameshughes1989]

Clive is lovely!!! they get a decent size my too are far bigger than when I first got them

Cheers mate, im really happy with him. What do you feed yours? Im thinking I might give him some frozen brine shrimp tonight.

Throw in some turbos and that algae will be gone in no time!

Rhy

Haha, yeah I hope so. Ill get some hermits and turbos on saturday I think. The one cerith snail has made a great line through the thick algae You can see his trail of clean rock! So cool.


I should be getting an xenia frag and some light green zoas at the weekend too, I cant wait!


James

 

[jameshughes1989]

Wow, today has been an exciting day. Ive got some light green and dark green zoas, some xenia, 2 sps frags, 3 blue legged hermits and a emerald crab. Im spenting a lot time acclimatizing them all now. Ill post some pics when they are all in.

James