1st water change

aberdeen · 10/12/2006, 10:13 AM

My NC24 has been cycling for two weeks

Im starting to get brown algae on a few parts of my live rock

PH - 8.1
Ammonia, nitrate, etc - 0

When do i do my first water change?

Before or after adding my cleanup crew?

many thanks

sir_dudeguy · 10/12/2006, 10:26 AM

whats the nitrites at? im guessing they're also at 0 since you said amonia nitrate and etc...

but when amonia and nitrite are at 0 thats when the cycle is done...if they've ever spiked that is. Or if you used cured live rock you might not even see a spike but it'd still be done.

But after the cycle is done, do a partial water change if needed (i only do one after the cycle if one is actually needed...like if theres nitrates, phosphates, etc...but you dont have any of that). Wait a week or 2. Then add a small cleanup crew. I strongly suggest cerith snails as they are very good with the brown diatom that you've got.

aberdeen · 10/12/2006, 11:44 AM

Thankd dude

i have around 22lbs of live rock,

what type of clean up crew would you recommend?

tkeracer619 · 10/12/2006, 12:39 PM

Not so many crabs, more snails. The crabs do good to turn over the sand and harass you when you spot feed tricky corals.

www.reeftopia.com is where I got mine and they have been excellent.

Also you should post what your setup is in your sig. That will help others determine the correct answer.

For 22lbs of rock I would assume this is around a 20-30g aquarium. 20-30 snails of mixed variety would be more than enough. I will let someone with that size tank chime though since I really have no clue

Triggerfish · 10/12/2006, 12:49 PM

what method(s) are you using to cycle the tank?

aberdeen · 10/12/2006, 12:56 PM

im using the stuff that comes with the NC 24

1 sponge in the first chamber and ceramics/bioballs and carbon in the second chamber.

I also have green algae spots on the glass.

thanks guys, im new to this so need allthe advice i can take on

bertoni · 10/12/2006, 03:29 PM

I'd do some water changes now.

For a cleanup crew in a 24g tank, I'd probably just start with 2 cerith and 2 Trochus snails, and see how it goes. If there's a reasonable supply of snails local to you, adding on an as-needed basis can save money over the long haul. Most tanks seem to be overstocked with cleanup crew members, and that leads to starvation over time.

10/12/2006, 10:13 AM	#1
aberdeen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 29	1st water change My NC24 has been cycling for two weeks Im starting to get brown algae on a few parts of my live rock PH - 8.1 Ammonia, nitrate, etc - 0 When do i do my first water change? Before or after adding my cleanup crew? many thanks

10/12/2006, 10:26 AM	#2
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	whats the nitrites at? im guessing they're also at 0 since you said amonia nitrate and etc... but when amonia and nitrite are at 0 thats when the cycle is done...if they've ever spiked that is. Or if you used cured live rock you might not even see a spike but it'd still be done. But after the cycle is done, do a partial water change if needed (i only do one after the cycle if one is actually needed...like if theres nitrates, phosphates, etc...but you dont have any of that). Wait a week or 2. Then add a small cleanup crew. I strongly suggest cerith snails as they are very good with the brown diatom that you've got. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

10/12/2006, 12:39 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Not so many crabs, more snails. The crabs do good to turn over the sand and harass you when you spot feed tricky corals. www.reeftopia.com is where I got mine and they have been excellent. Also you should post what your setup is in your sig. That will help others determine the correct answer. For 22lbs of rock I would assume this is around a 20-30g aquarium. 20-30 snails of mixed variety would be more than enough. I will let someone with that size tank chime though since I really have no clue __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/12/2006, 12:49 PM	#5
Triggerfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 3,391	what method(s) are you using to cycle the tank? __________________ 150g Bow: YWG,Flurry clowns, LMB, yellow tail, chalk bass, Bangaii ,powder brown. Current Tank Info: 110g mixed reef

10/12/2006, 03:29 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd do some water changes now. For a cleanup crew in a 24g tank, I'd probably just start with 2 cerith and 2 Trochus snails, and see how it goes. If there's a reasonable supply of snails local to you, adding on an as-needed basis can save money over the long haul. Most tanks seem to be overstocked with cleanup crew members, and that leads to starvation over time. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/12/2006, 11:44 AM	#3
aberdeen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 29	Thankd dude i have around 22lbs of live rock, what type of clean up crew would you recommend?

10/12/2006, 12:56 PM	#6
aberdeen Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 29	im using the stuff that comes with the NC 24 1 sponge in the first chamber and ceramics/bioballs and carbon in the second chamber. I also have green algae spots on the glass. thanks guys, im new to this so need allthe advice i can take on