Update On My Tank

[maidenfan]

hi all thought i would give u quick update on my new set up. a 130 litre FOWLR set up

had 11 llbs of LR in tank for approx 10 days (i know i need more)

using LR to cycle tank

some diatoms alge forming on rock and substrate(told this is normal for new set up)

water spec as follows at last check an hour ago

temp 24
ph 8.2
am 0.25 ppm
no2 0.10 ppm
no3 20 ppm
sg 1.023


seems to be going ok to me what you think?

 

[SkiFletch]

Looks about right. Your ammonia and nitrite eaters are getting established as their values are low and your dieoff has produced some nitrates. Nothin really out of whack there, well done

 

[maidenfan]

hi all
a further update on my water readings are as follows

temp 24
PH 8.2
AM 0.0ppm
NO2 0.0ppm
NO3 10ppm
SG 1.024

i think this means my tank as cycled

what i intend doing next is to introduce some cleaner crew to the tank and to do a 20% water change,

any advice on the types of cleaner crew are best to control algae and aptasia etc and if and when to do water change would be great

cheers

 

[SkiFletch]

Snails and hermit crabs are the backbone of any cleanup crew. Turbo snails and nassarius snailes, along with blue or red leg hermits seem to be pretty common favorites around here. As for controlling aiptasia, do you have any yet? The only cleanup crew types that it eat are peppermint shrimps and the nudibranch Berghia Verrucicornis commonly reffered to as a berghia nudibranch. I've heard tell that they are exceptionally hard to find in the UK but feed solely on aiptasia and will eliminate an infestation with enough of them and enough time.

Looks like you're cycled and on the right track as far as adding cleanup crew goes. DId you get any diatom bloom?

 

[maidenfan]

cheers ski

yes i have some diatom bloom thats why i wonder if a water change using RO water of course will help its not to bad at the momment and have been told i will go as quick as it appeared.

i have had 3 aiptasia anemonea on 1 of my rocks almost sure they are them the are clear have a small round pod in the middle with tenticles all around llike a flower when you touch them it shrinks back in to the rock so that only a little tiny bit of it is visable. took rock out and had go at tryin to get them think i got 2 of them but found one i missed this morn

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, I dont have any (counting my blessings) but everything I read tells me they're pesky little buggers. I'd try a peppermint shrimp if the last one proves too resourceful for you since you prolly cant get your hands on a berghia nudi. Stay on top of the infestation via other means if they start multiplying though, dont let it get out of control...