RutgersReef Progress Log!

Ive been seeing alot of threads with tests showing ammonia lately, i tested water fresh out of the ro and it appeared to have .25 ammonia in it.

 

I got my water tested at the LFS and my Ammonia and Nitrites are zero, with 5 PPM Nitrates. I think it may be cleanup crew time, some sludge/algea is beginning to grow on the sandbed!

 

Awesome! Just start off small, but you should be good to add a few

 

Thanks, will do! I'm thinking of adding some snails to start. I don't really like what I've been reading about hermits bothering corals and snails, even if the cases are rare.

 

Sounds like you're ready! Yay for you!!

 

A very small snail (1/16 inch) is on my front pane of glass. Just wondering how likely this hitchhiker is to be harmful to a future reef? Sorry about the small picture, if I go any closer it is unfocused because the snail is so tiny.

 

Today I noticed lots of pods on my front pane of glass - cool! also, ordered a via aqua 200 watt heater because my tetra 100 watt cannot seem to take the temp above 74 degrees.

 

My tank now has its first official inhabitants! I bought 5 nassarius snails and 5 astrea snails from Absolutely Fish. I can tell their stock is very good quality, but I can also tell I was overcharged ($4 each? -_____-) will be ordering online from now on... They all seem fairly sluggish (ha ha), likely because my water temperature is hanging around 74.5 degrees. I have ordered a 200 watt titanium heater that will be arriving any day now, I am sure the new heater will be able to hold my 34 gal total system at a solid 80 degrees.

 

So once i get my new heater and aqua c skimmer set up, I'm thinking the first fish I want to add is a clownfish. and yes, I'm thinking of being boring and getting either a true percula or ocellaris. Anyone have advice on which i should lean towards, provided that i find both equally visually pleasing?

 

What is your proposed tank list? I only ask as Clowns should usually be one of the last added.