Quick question

Allanth · 11/25/2007, 06:39 PM

My 35gal bow has been running for about a week and a half now. Over the past few days diatomes have completely covered most of my live rock. There are what looks to be green hair algae on some parts too. SO I asked my friend if I could have a tester crab and put him in last night. I came home today and the little guy is still alive and gorging himself in the diatomes. He's lasted 24 hours and seems to be doing fine, does this mean I can put my cleaner crew in within the next few days?

reefergeorge · 11/25/2007, 06:47 PM

What are your tests showing? Every tank is different. A lot depends on how good of rock and sand you bought.

What type of crab is eating the diatoms?

Sk8r · 11/25/2007, 06:51 PM

but what do your tests show?
s/b 1.025 salinity, 80 temp, 8.3 ph-7.9. Nitrate/nitrite/ammonia 0.

Here's the reason: once critters start eating that stuff they're going to dump poo into the sand. Cycled means that there are bacteria in sufficient numbers to take a little poo and convert it to nitrogen gas, harmlessly, without spiking the nitrates. One critter, surviving ok, minimal problem. But playing fast and loose without 0 readings could kill him and all the rest. Get tests for those things: get a refractometer, a digital thermometer, a ph meter, and test strips for nitrate/ammonia, plus a test for alkalinity [I use Salifert]. Post your readings and start a log book. Then we'll see where you are.

Using ro/di water, byb? This is useful if you want to avoid algae farms.

HTH.

Allanth · 11/25/2007, 09:08 PM

Ammonia .25 , PH 8.2 , Nitrites 0 , Nitrates 10

I have a part for my skimmer on the way, so i'll have that up and running soon. I am also going to do a water change tomorrow.

Allanth · 11/25/2007, 09:11 PM

and also my salinity is 1.019

Allanth · 11/25/2007, 09:12 PM

temp is a stable 78-79 degrees

Allanth · 11/25/2007, 11:43 PM

Here are some pictures of my tank setup.

you can see the diatoms

the back

There is my sump/skimmer setup

11/25/2007, 06:39 PM	#1
Allanth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14	Quick question My 35gal bow has been running for about a week and a half now. Over the past few days diatomes have completely covered most of my live rock. There are what looks to be green hair algae on some parts too. SO I asked my friend if I could have a tester crab and put him in last night. I came home today and the little guy is still alive and gorging himself in the diatomes. He's lasted 24 hours and seems to be doing fine, does this mean I can put my cleaner crew in within the next few days?

11/25/2007, 06:47 PM	#2
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	What are your tests showing? Every tank is different. A lot depends on how good of rock and sand you bought. What type of crab is eating the diatoms? __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

11/25/2007, 06:51 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	but what do your tests show? s/b 1.025 salinity, 80 temp, 8.3 ph-7.9. Nitrate/nitrite/ammonia 0. Here's the reason: once critters start eating that stuff they're going to dump poo into the sand. Cycled means that there are bacteria in sufficient numbers to take a little poo and convert it to nitrogen gas, harmlessly, without spiking the nitrates. One critter, surviving ok, minimal problem. But playing fast and loose without 0 readings could kill him and all the rest. Get tests for those things: get a refractometer, a digital thermometer, a ph meter, and test strips for nitrate/ammonia, plus a test for alkalinity [I use Salifert]. Post your readings and start a log book. Then we'll see where you are. Using ro/di water, byb? This is useful if you want to avoid algae farms. HTH. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/25/2007, 09:08 PM	#4
Allanth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14	Ammonia .25 , PH 8.2 , Nitrites 0 , Nitrates 10 I have a part for my skimmer on the way, so i'll have that up and running soon. I am also going to do a water change tomorrow.

11/25/2007, 09:11 PM	#5
Allanth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14	and also my salinity is 1.019

11/25/2007, 09:12 PM	#6
Allanth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14	temp is a stable 78-79 degrees

11/25/2007, 11:43 PM	#7
Allanth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 14	Here are some pictures of my tank setup. you can see the diatoms the back There is my sump/skimmer setup