Alec's 40gal breeder chronicles!

Regarding the cleaner shrimp, I was never that fond of them once I got interested in LPS. They always act as though they are starving to death. In larger tanks with big scapes I think they are cool, in someone else tank though.

With regard to the algae, are you running any chaeto?

Phosphates values can be really slight because the algae is so efficient at using the phosphates.

You might think about adding more flow to that area and or running some GFO.

Sounds like you are also running the lighting almost 12 hours, might try cutting that back as well.

Also the tank is really young I am sure that contributes to it as well.

Boy 3 months, wow time flies.

 

I know right! I feel like I've learned a ton, but yet it's only been 3 months.. I have a pretty good amount a flow, so I'm not sure that's the issue. I have 1000gph through 3 powerheads, and the GHA is thick on the back glass, and my strongest powerhead goes right along the back. I do have cheato, it's in a little soapdish thing I rigged up. I have a picture of it somewhere in the thread... So what's GFO? I'm still learning haha. Thanks corailline.

 

Granular Ferric Oxide, it binds or removes phosphates.

I imagine the age of the tank has more to do with it than anythings else unless nitrates are high. Phosphates should be 0.05 ppm or less ideally. Really hard to get a true value though if algae is already present. Limpets can do a decent job when it's on the glass. Perhaps look at adding to your clean up crew with different snail types as well.

 

My new little guy again. He's really cool, not gunna lie. He just kinda floats around like a little hummingbird. I can't wait to get him in my DT, I think he'll like the company!

 

Ohh ok. So how do you go about adding it?

Trates have been measuring out a zero since my initial few wks though. I test every sunday, and nothings really out of the ordinary.. I have my mag up high, but that's on purpose. I dono if that has anything to do with it.. Yeahh I actually bought a new snail the other day, I think its a trochus or astrea.. Not sure which. It has the round pyramid looking shell. Anyways, it's absolutely worthless lol. Seriously, its on its back everyyyday when I wake up. I'm getting tired of flipping it lol. I have likee 6 or 7 nerites, 10-15 ceriths, then around 100 dwarf ceriths, and 6 hermits. I may pick up a turbo snail.. I had some before, but they were just bulldozing my frags lol. I have most of em glued down now, so I might get one. I know they do some serious work on algae. We'll see. The algae's not so bad that its an eyesore to someone checking out my tank, but its just that I notice it lol..and you know what I mean. No one else thinks it bad looking in my family, but I do. Coraline's really beginning to take over though, all over the back glass and all. So hopefully, once it really gets going, the GHA will get outta town. I'm gunna have to check up on that GFO though for sure.

 

<3 the new fish! he's so cute, cant wait to see him in the DT!

 

Lol thanks I just had to snap a pic and post it. He's been hiding out mostly since I've gotten him. So needless to say, my face is glued to the glass whenever he's out and about. Haha

 

haha i know how that goes, my Yellow wrasse likes to sleep in somedays it always worries me that he jumped. I didn't get to see him at all today but my mom said he was out mid day .. when I was at work! how convenient

 

Lol yeah.. There's just another reason to dislike work. I have a feeling that's what my wrasse will be like for the first few days/weeks in the DT though. We shall seeee.

 

Hopefully not! mine usually is out and about all day, this time he just was when I wasn't home.. maybe he doesn't like me I hate working so long because I hardly get to enjoy my tank at all. buuuuuuut it does pay for it.. lol