Jim's 75

changes in process

For those who did not see my other thread about algae bloom, I made the following changes on 01/03:

As per PharmrJohn suggestion -
I have reduced lighting to actinics and turned off the proteing skimmer.

I left the phosban reactor in service as I have always had a phosphate problem in every aquarium I have had. Determined to avoid it this time.

I had already done a 4 gallon water change prior to lunatik's suggestion not to - can't back out of that.

Installed a SeaChem Amonia Alert so I can do a quick look several times a day. It says my amonia is < .02ppm. Reducing feeding to three times a week.

The two fish I have are Spotted Cardinals - they are still alive and kicking.

The replies I received focused only on the rock. In addition to the 30lbs of CaribSea Aragamax sand, I also put in 60lbs of CaribSea Agrag-Alive sand (on top of the dry sand). Does this not expedite the propogation of the bacteria?

In wait and watch mode - probably for another six weeks.

 

Prpgress update

Three days after I made the shift in technique of cycling tank and all is well. I'm starting to see what looks like coraline developing on the Fiji rock.

The fish (Spotted Cardinals - 2) are still alive and seem to be doing well. Fed them Monday night and unlike other feedings, they ate well - next feeding schedule is Thursday. They don't hide anymore when I approach the aquarium either. Amonia alert still showing <0.2ppm.

Finally got my ATO configured and working properly. I can better concentrate on raising my Salinity to 1.024. Currently bouncing back and forth between 1.021 and 1.022.

 

Algae bloom is here

Been waiting a while for this. Algae bloom on rock not sand, and green not brown.

Two little fishies still doing fine. Amonia still <0.2ppm - Changed my sock this AM and leveled the sand. MP40 does create a lot of sand drifts. Salinity at 1.023 - added 3 tablespoons to a litre of tank water and recycled back in. I'll test my water params tomorrow AM.

 

Glad to hear the lil' guys are doing well! Very nice rock work.

 

This weeks water params

Salinity - 1.0235 <-- 3 tablespoons only brought it up .0005 - thought it would be at least .001

Temp - last 24 hrs 77.9 to 78.2
Ph - last 24 hrs 8.01 to 8.07

Nitrates - 10ppm
Nitrites - 0ppm
Amonia - 0ppm

Phosphate - 0ppm

Decided to turn on one of the 250MH for a full cycle - the green algae is actually brown. Amazing what a spectrum can make.

Thinking about a small cleanup crew for today.:-/

 

looks good....

 

CUC suggestions

I plan on removing the sock at the end of the cycle and adding macroalgae to the refugium and some tigerpods. Below is what I am considering for a CUC. Any suggestions would be welcome.

2 Flame Scallop (Lima scabra)
10 Nassarius Snail (Nassarius sp.)
1 Blue Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)
1 or 2? Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
20 Red Leg Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)
1 Aarow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis)
2 Electric Blue Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans)

 

can always do a custon clean up crew designed by john at reefcleaners great service and products. he will design a cuc around your tank

 

added small cleanup crew modified lighting

Dropped in 12 small Nassarius Snail (Nassarius sp.) and 3 Astrea.

Added a ball of Chaetomorpha to the fuge.

Turned on the other MH so that I have a full light cycle now.

Changed feeding schedule to daily (still small amounts)

Removed the Sock.

Picked up a couple of Percula Clownfish (they're in the quarantine tank for at least a week - probably longer).

Thinking about adding some carbon - I'll poll the community first.

 

i run it and it does a good job up clearing up my tank