My Marine Adventure Begins

[MissG55]

Has he got Red eyes best to sump him if he has

I don't think his eyes are red. Have only really had one good look at him and the tank lights were off . will try and get more pics today.

 

[sorgan]

All 3 of mine have red eyes and they havnt caused any harm.

 

[seffieuk]

All 3 of mine have red eyes and they havnt caused any harm.

Yet!!

Seffie x

 

[sorgan]

I suppose it's much the same as all angelfish nip coral and clown fish like their owners (hey seff)
crabs are known to take any break they get, if there is enough food they don't eat everything else, if they are hungry....

 

[MissG55]

I'm back after a week on a residential trip with my class!!!
Tank still looking great. Lots of Green hair algae and what i think are spirobid worms on the back glass.

Been to LFS to pick up some more RO... must get myself an RO system.. any recomendations greatly appreciated.

While i was there i had a natter about the new corals they had in and the very chirpy chap offered me a couple of tiny frags for free!!! Obviously jumped at it. I think i have a brown ricordia and a red mushroom and something else i'm not sure about. My camera batteries are on charge at the moment so no pics yet but should be able to add some later.
My question is when i put them in a tiny red worm with lighter coloured legs/bristles squirmed out and disappeared into the rock before i could do anything about it. Is this a bristle worm and should i hunt it out? I have read horror stories but also some good reviews

 

[Morri]

Bristle worms are a good part of the CUC just dont touch them they have lots of little hairs which cause irratation

There are a few things that would eat hair algae one of the better ones apparently is a hectors goby. Other options are Tuxedo urchins, and Emerald crabs

keeping phosphates under control will help greatly

 

[MissG55]

Thanks,
I have added the phosphate remover and been testing for phosphates and they seem to be at 0. I don't have the low range DD kit yet but am planning for this next month.

I have seen some fantastic emerald crabs but the LFS suggested that my hitchiker crab was removed before i added any other crabs so opted for mexican turbo snails as the only urchins they had were long spine urchins. When resident crab removed(easier said than done!!!) Emerald crab on my shopping list!

I also picked up a pair of common clowns. I have named them Pinky and Perky. They are fabulous little fellas and have not left each others sides. After venturing round the tank when i first introduced them they have settled to a spot in one corner of the tank, they seem very active but are not venturing far.
I will post pictures when the light comes on.

D

 

[seffieuk]

Cough, cough......... photos of Pinky and Perky please?

Would you be kind enough to also add their photo to the Clown fish of the week thread please - so they can rightfully take their place with all of the other members clowns (or should that be Clown members )oh heck that sounds rude! Clowns belonging to our forum colleagues

Seffie x

 

[MissG55]

Cough, cough......... photos of Pinky and Perky please?

Would you be kind enough to also add their photo to the Clown fish of the week thread please - so they can rightfully take their place with all of the other members clowns (or should that be Clown members )oh heck that sounds rude! Clowns belonging to our forum colleagues

Seffie x

I took some lovely pics but then my camera decided to give up and i can not upload them for some reason! maybe been working it too hard.
Had a fridge freezer crisis too so have not got money to replace it just yet Lets hope my bad luck does not come in threes

 

[MissG55]

After much trying have managed to get some pics. The first is of them both soon after they were introduced to the tank.
The second is of poorly Pinky with Perky at his side.
My camera is really not well sorry if they are difficult to see.

 

[MissG55]

I am loving my tank at the moment
Perky, my remaining clown, is keeping me glued to the tank for hours.
All the green hair algae i had is gone and the Turbo snails are doing a fab job at keeping the glass clean. I have seen about 3 bristle worms popping their heads out of rock that all look like the one in the photo and a thinner browner one that is a little camera shy!
I have also found my hitchiker crab.. he moved house and now looks a lot bigger than the last time i saw him - time to hatch a plan i think !

My only problem at the moment is red slime algae on my substrate. My phosphates are at 0 and i am very careful with feeding... so am stumped.

I have also just ordered the RO system Seffie advised on so am looking forward to making some water!!

 

[Morri]

Slime algae looks like cyano a few things to check

Check your Phosphate levels
How much flow is in the tank is there any flow over the sand
A Orange lipped conch will help alot with cyano
If you are lucky your LFS might have orange legged hermits these will help also

 

[MissG55]

Slime algae looks like cyano a few things to check

Check your Phosphate levels
Phosphate at 0 although i do not have the low range test kit yet. I tested RO from LFS and phosphate was at 0.5! so have ordered an RO system which should be arriving next week. I think i fed the cyano before rowaphos did its job!

How much flow is in the tank is there any flow over the sand
I have moved my Vortech towards the surface to increase aggitation on the surface so there is some but only from one of the 1000lph circulation pumps. Do i need another powerhead?

A Orange lipped conch will help alot with cyano

Have just read up on these, think i will have to invest!

If you are lucky your LFS might have orange legged hermits these will help also
I have never seen any, and have spent many hours looking at the tanks!

Will the cyano be harmfull in any way short term? After spending out on RO system, will need to wait until pay day before i can make any additions!
Thanks Morri

 

[seffieuk]

MissG - aim the powerhead at the cyano area but first syphon out what you can

Seffie x

 

[MissG55]

MissG - aim the powerhead at the cyano area but first syphon out what you can

Seffie x

I siphoned out alot, re-positioned the powerhead then...... mini sandstorm!!!! I underestimated the power!
After a bit of tweaking think i have it right now. Am still interested in a conch too. may head to LFS to have a look.

On other news my RO system arrived today along with my TDS meter so lots planned for the weekend
What reading should i be getting from the TDS meter? Am i right in thinking it should be less than 30 without going through DI 0 with?
I am only asking as the RO water i am using for top ups tested at 209. Could this be as i have had it since Saturday or dirt in the container? (I have only used them for RO)