Nano experiment

[Willow 123]

Ok, so since Tuesday I have been feeding a generous pinch of tropical flake to the tank every day and testing everyday just before 'feeding'.
And the tests show zero ammonia and nitrite with Nitrates slowly rising ( they are at about 10 now).
Also, I have algae growing on the live rock.
Planning to introduce a couple of alge eating snails in around 4 days time

 

[MaloK]

Thanks for the info, what do you intend keeping in the tank? And how large/small is it?

Sorry, I've mist this one, not my style not to reply when addressed.

It's a little 5G standard, I'm preparing for a shrimp colony...

I have started a little journal there:

Another Small Setup

Well. With my somewhat controlled MTS... I'm already up to 4 Tanks in a little more than a year returning to the hobby. (not too bad, all are small and I resisted 3 months between each) Another revamping of a good old vintage kit. This will be my "Commercial" shrimp breeding tank and going to...

www.fishforums.net

It's only Tuesday and already some crazy development have occurred... But I'm keeping it for the next episode

 

[Willow 123]

can't wait!

 

[Willow 123]

So as I have algae growing nicely, today I added two Banded trochus snails.
Settling in nicely (other one is around the back)

 

[Willow 123]

Suggestions for additional cuc would be welcolmed ( quite fancy an orange lipped conch but tank might be too small for him?)

 

[Willow 123]

So I have a bit of a (nice) problem.
Decided to help the maturation of the tank, and deal with an algae outbreak, with a couple of silver Mollies. As this tank is a bit of an experiment I figured a couple of hardy Mollies would be the safest way to proceed.
Acclimatised them to salt water in a bucket over about an hour ( yes I know, a bit quick but thats another story) then into the tank.
24 hours later not only are they munching their way through the algae but I have around a dozen babies! That wasn't in the plan lol.

 

[Willow 123]

Correction I have 22 babies!

 

[MaloK]

Algae Problem
New Problem
Is it Fun ???

I never relocated Marine Mollies. But once they are, they can't come back to freshwater.

 

[Willow 123]

I have algae but its not a problem, part of the journey.
New problem? Didn't bank on the babies turning up.
It is brilliant fun.
Question. Why can't mollies go back to freshwater? I understood that wild mollies move from freshwater to near sea like conditions and back again at will. Not arguing with you, but interested in the science/ reasoning behind your statement.

 

[MaloK]

I have algae but its not a problem, part of the journey.
New problem? Didn't bank on the babies turning up.
It is brilliant fun.
Question. Why can't mollies go back to freshwater? I understood that wild mollies move from freshwater to near sea like conditions and back again at will. Not arguing with you, but interested in the science/ reasoning behind your statement.

It's not my reasoning, but research have proven that once completely adapted to marine water, coming back is really harsh for the fishes. I remember guys trying it in college and "extremely stressful" took another meaning in my head seeing it.