White things on the glass

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by JOER0178, Feb 23, 2004.

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  1. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    This week in my new tank I got brown dots on the glass followed by a green slime algea, Ive scraped them off. My question is Ive notice these very small white thinks moving on the glass. What are these things and is this normal
     
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  3. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    Perfectly normal and healthy. They could be any number of organism but they are always good.
    The Brown and green algae on your glass is also normal. You had better get used to that because that will be a daily thing
     
  4. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    Brown hair all over the rock is normal as well right?
     
  5. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    Also, I started the tank w/ partially cured LR I figured this would cycle my tank but I never got an ammonia spike the highest I recorded was .4ppm so my LFS said I should add some shrimp.  (oh by the way i used 100lbs of 60% live sand as well).  I added the shrimp Friday night and as of yesterday (Sunday) I still have not got a ammonia spike do you think i should have gotten it by now, and if so does this mean (along w/ all the algea growth) that my tank has cycled and that i can beginto add a cleaning crew to combat this algea?  Also, to help me construct a good cleaning crew what are your favorite cleaning crew members?  

    P.S. I know this is alot of questions but the most important thing I have learned from years and years of college is to ask as many questions as you possible can from people who you find have the most knowledge about the topic.
     
  6. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

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    sLOW DOWN AND WAIT TWO WEEKS AND TEST FOR AMMONIA. AFTER THE AMMONIA SPIKE, WAIT ANOTHER SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS FOR THE TANK TO BALANCE AND CYCLE BEFORE ADDING ANY LIVESTOCK.

    A MIX OF 15 CERITH, 20 NASSUARIUS, 5 TURBO, 10 ASTREA, 10 MARGARITA, AND 4 STROMBUS SNAILS, A MIX OF 15 SCARLET AND 15 BLUE LEG HERMITS, SMALL, AND A PAIR OF RED SKUNK CLEANR SHRIMP FOR THE CLEAN UP CREW.
     
  7. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    I was just wondering because the guy at my LFS said that after I add the cocktail shrimp that my ammonia should spike in 1 or 2 days and if not then my tank was cycled.
     
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  9. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

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    Yes in gweneral that is correct but without a test log you will not know. Without a good ammonia spike, you will never have enough bacteria for the denitrification process. How much shrimp by volume, ounces did you use?
     
  10. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    I added 5 large shrimp (about 3in) maybe 1/4 pound.  Interesting side note they were originally blue but they turned orange since I added them (they look like there cooked)
     
  11. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

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    I would remove 4 1/2 of the shrimp. You don't need that much. But you should see some Ammonia in a couple of days with that amount. It may start to smell pretty bad with 5 shrimp decaying in your tanks.
    J
     
  12. JOER0178

    JOER0178 Peppermint Shrimp

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    I actually put them in the sump so there would be better water flow, and circulation of the ammonia