Hello, new to saltwater

HI, first post and new to 3reef.

I've decided to set up my first saltwater tank, 55 gallon with live rock (7-10 lbs of live rock in my sump and about 50 in my display) and 60 lbs of live sand. Running a sump system with a HOB protein skimmer and in tank HOB refugium. I have a quad 3w LED light.

I've had it up and cycling for just over 3 weeks, about a week ago I decided to add a little life so 2 yellow tailed damsels, 4 blue legs, and 2 peppermint shrimp went in. I've also seen what I think is a conch (attached a pic if anyone can help) and a small star, assuming these are hitchhikers from the rock. This past weekend I added the in tank refugium to which I added a hand full of Chaeto. Within the Chaeto that I got from my lfs there are bristle worms and brittle or serpent stars to go along with the copepods.

Last night was my first time cleaning the front and side panels, with a magnet cleaner. There was a build up of brown algae on the glass and starting to cover the rocks and bottom and wanted to get it off the glass. This morning when I woke up and turned on my blues I noticed that not only was my glass clear of the algae but most of it was gone off the rocks and none was left on the sand. Is this normal for all of it to dissipate all together in one night? Do you think the addition of the Chaeto helped? Do you think this is a sign that the cycle is complete? If so, how long until I can add my first poly or zoa?



I've attached pictures any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

 

Hi and welcome to 3reef,

Nice start up. The brown growth is probably diatoms and they will disappear once the silicates have been used up, not uncommon for the that bloom to come and go fairly quickly.
The degree to which the tank is still cycling will depend on your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels, once you have sustained undetectable ammonia and nitrites you can consider your tank over with the initial cycle, the biological filter will however need to grow between additions of fish type live stock.
I would say once your cycled you can add zoanthids or palys just get a cheaper variety initially and see how they do, but I do not see an issue.

 

Thanks Corailline,

Currently my parameters are 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and between 5-10 ppm of Nitrate.

Another question/concern are partial water changes, should I have done one by now or should I do one before adding any zoa or palys?

Thanks,

The Newbie

 

You can do one now or later. Personally I prefer to do a 10-20% after the initial cycle, but at this point there really is no wrong or right. You started with a lot of live rock and that worked in your favor.

Have Fun!

 

yes, have fun is what you need to do

 

I've had someone else mention that the snail in the photo above may be a Whelk Snail. Can anyone confirm? I'll start another thread in the identification section to see if anyone else knows.