some LR and tank question

Moonstream · 06/15/2007, 09:36 PM

So, my 29 gallon is just starting the cycle, and I have some odd white thing on my rock. It could be a sponge, but is hard to the touch. It is smooth. What is this and should I be worried?
Also, there is what looks like fuzzy brown algae on the rock, is this brown algae? It has never looked like this in my FW tanks.
Now, When should I add the cleanup crew? I would like to add the all at once, and was wondering weather to get crabs or snails? Both? How many? When can I add corals? I also need to know something about bio weels. Is it true that they produce nitrate? I have them on both my tanks, should I remove them.
Also some misc. questions. I will be colecting live beach sand to put in my tank, how much should I get. There is also algae growing on the rocks, it looks like hair algae, should I get some? Would it be good for the hermits? Once I decide on fish I was thinking add the least aggresive after the clean up crew, then add the corals, then the rest of the fish. Is this okay?

drummereef · 06/15/2007, 10:29 PM

The white thing could be a sponge or just bleached coralline. Need a pic to properly ID. The brown stuff is diatoms. Totally normal part of cycling in reef tanks. It should go away on its own. Same thing for the hair algae on your rock. Both should go away in time. I would advise using RO/DI water. Introducing nutrients from the water source will feed the algaes. As far as the cleanup crew goes.... you need to wait until the cycle has finished. Keep testing and once your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are 0 then it is safe to add the cleanup crew. I prefer to keep only snails. I like nassarius, cerith, astreas, and turbos. Only add a couple of each and add as the tank demands. Again, wait until the cycle is over first. As long as you have 1lb/gallon of live rock there is no need for the biowheels. The rock will act as the bio filter. Biowheels aren't efficient in breaking down nitrates so if you can avoid using them, then ditch it. I would recommend getting dry sand for your tank. Beach sand can be contaminated with all sorts of stuff you don't want to introduce into your system. Once the cycle has finished, add the cleanup crew. Then if everything is stable you can add your first fish or coral. Go for hardy species first then add the rest slowly a few weeks apart.

Moonstream · 06/16/2007, 09:49 AM

Okay! no beach sand, will get more rock as well (not 1 pond per gallon).

06/15/2007, 09:36 PM	#1
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	some LR and tank question So, my 29 gallon is just starting the cycle, and I have some odd white thing on my rock. It could be a sponge, but is hard to the touch. It is smooth. What is this and should I be worried? Also, there is what looks like fuzzy brown algae on the rock, is this brown algae? It has never looked like this in my FW tanks. Now, When should I add the cleanup crew? I would like to add the all at once, and was wondering weather to get crabs or snails? Both? How many? When can I add corals? I also need to know something about bio weels. Is it true that they produce nitrate? I have them on both my tanks, should I remove them. Also some misc. questions. I will be colecting live beach sand to put in my tank, how much should I get. There is also algae growing on the rocks, it looks like hair algae, should I get some? Would it be good for the hermits? Once I decide on fish I was thinking add the least aggresive after the clean up crew, then add the corals, then the rest of the fish. Is this okay?

06/15/2007, 10:29 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	The white thing could be a sponge or just bleached coralline. Need a pic to properly ID. The brown stuff is diatoms. Totally normal part of cycling in reef tanks. It should go away on its own. Same thing for the hair algae on your rock. Both should go away in time. I would advise using RO/DI water. Introducing nutrients from the water source will feed the algaes. As far as the cleanup crew goes.... you need to wait until the cycle has finished. Keep testing and once your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are 0 then it is safe to add the cleanup crew. I prefer to keep only snails. I like nassarius, cerith, astreas, and turbos. Only add a couple of each and add as the tank demands. Again, wait until the cycle is over first. As long as you have 1lb/gallon of live rock there is no need for the biowheels. The rock will act as the bio filter. Biowheels aren't efficient in breaking down nitrates so if you can avoid using them, then ditch it. I would recommend getting dry sand for your tank. Beach sand can be contaminated with all sorts of stuff you don't want to introduce into your system. Once the cycle has finished, add the cleanup crew. Then if everything is stable you can add your first fish or coral. Go for hardy species first then add the rest slowly a few weeks apart. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

06/16/2007, 09:49 AM	#3
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	Okay! no beach sand, will get more rock as well (not 1 pond per gallon).