BigCountry74
New member
X2 love the shrimp!
75 gallon reef build
- Thread starter Nonameben
- Start date
Nonameben
New member
Hopefully they do there job! If not, they are still fun to watch.
Sad to say, I now have 4. Lost one, and I'm not sure why. ):
Found a nice camera, going to post it so I can come back to it later if I decide to buy it
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734743-REG/Canon_4342B001_PowerShot_G12_Digital_Camera.html
Sad to say, I now have 4. Lost one, and I'm not sure why. ):
Found a nice camera, going to post it so I can come back to it later if I decide to buy it
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734743-REG/Canon_4342B001_PowerShot_G12_Digital_Camera.html
AFRobert568
New member
I like the tank. I’m starting a 75 myself so it is interesting to see somebody go through the startup with a similar setup. I didn’t notice it, but how does the overflow system handle your return pump? What do you think the flow rate is going through your system.
Nonameben
New member
It handles really well, drains from the tank into my filter sock, and the flow that comes out of the nozzles is really decent. The two powe rheads are pushing 750gph each and the sicce return pump is about 500gph I think. This is my first tank, and 75 seems to be a perfect size for me. Of course I plan to get a big tank eventually, but that's way down the road.
iwishtofish
Active member
I enjoyed the videos! Did you just kind of squirt the aiptaisa-x onto the nems, or did you actually stick the needle down into them? Never done it myself, just curious.
I think you are looking at cyanobacteria, rather than bubble algae. Common in new tanks, and typically a nutrient issue. You might try to increase flow over the area where it is forming, and, if it persists, try a lights-out period.
A cleanup crew will help greatly with the algae, but will not do the trick entirely. I would do some water changes - I'd first turkey baste the rocks to suspend the cyano or any other detritus, and scrub away and siphon as much hair algae as possible. When you remove algae, you remove the phosphates it has consumed. Once you attack the algae on those fronts (maybe several times), you can consider using GFO to draw phosphates from the water. Sudden drops in phosphate can affect corals negatively, so this might be a good time to start GFO if you plan to use it. If you start using it after adding corals, start with smaller-than-recommended amounts and then work it slowly up to more of the media.
Feed sparsely when you add animals. Excess food gets trapped in the rock and sand, and creates huge phosphate problems down the road. You will have to feed your peppermints small amounts of food, but see if they do any work on the aiptasia first. The cleanup crew has plenty to munch, especially if you buy primarily herbivores. Maybe get some turbo snails and astrea snails? Remember to watch your salinity with the shrimp - they don't tolerate swings well.
So, feed little, remove algae manually, do water changes, and maybe run GFO. If you can get a grip on the nutrient problem early, it will be a much easier ride! Just my advice...
I think you are looking at cyanobacteria, rather than bubble algae. Common in new tanks, and typically a nutrient issue. You might try to increase flow over the area where it is forming, and, if it persists, try a lights-out period.
A cleanup crew will help greatly with the algae, but will not do the trick entirely. I would do some water changes - I'd first turkey baste the rocks to suspend the cyano or any other detritus, and scrub away and siphon as much hair algae as possible. When you remove algae, you remove the phosphates it has consumed. Once you attack the algae on those fronts (maybe several times), you can consider using GFO to draw phosphates from the water. Sudden drops in phosphate can affect corals negatively, so this might be a good time to start GFO if you plan to use it. If you start using it after adding corals, start with smaller-than-recommended amounts and then work it slowly up to more of the media.
Feed sparsely when you add animals. Excess food gets trapped in the rock and sand, and creates huge phosphate problems down the road. You will have to feed your peppermints small amounts of food, but see if they do any work on the aiptasia first. The cleanup crew has plenty to munch, especially if you buy primarily herbivores. Maybe get some turbo snails and astrea snails? Remember to watch your salinity with the shrimp - they don't tolerate swings well.
So, feed little, remove algae manually, do water changes, and maybe run GFO. If you can get a grip on the nutrient problem early, it will be a much easier ride! Just my advice...
Nonameben
New member
I enjoyed the videos! Did you just kind of squirt the aiptaisa-x onto the nems, or did you actually stick the needle down into them? Never done it myself, just curious.
I think you are looking at cyanobacteria, rather than bubble algae. Common in new tanks, and typically a nutrient issue. You might try to increase flow over the area where it is forming, and, if it persists, try a lights-out period.
A cleanup crew will help greatly with the algae, but will not do the trick entirely. I would do some water changes - I'd first turkey baste the rocks to suspend the cyano or any other detritus, and scrub away and siphon as much hair algae as possible. When you remove algae, you remove the phosphates it has consumed. Once you attack the algae on those fronts (maybe several times), you can consider using GFO to draw phosphates from the water. Sudden drops in phosphate can affect corals negatively, so this might be a good time to start GFO if you plan to use it. If you start using it after adding corals, start with smaller-than-recommended amounts and then work it slowly up to more of the media.
Feed sparsely when you add animals. Excess food gets trapped in the rock and sand, and creates huge phosphate problems down the road. You will have to feed your peppermints small amounts of food, but see if they do any work on the aiptasia first. The cleanup crew has plenty to munch, especially if you buy primarily herbivores. Maybe get some turbo snails and astrea snails? Remember to watch your salinity with the shrimp - they don't tolerate swings well.
So, feed little, remove algae manually, do water changes, and maybe run GFO. If you can get a grip on the nutrient problem early, it will be a much easier ride! Just my advice...
With the smaller majanos, I just squirted the aiptasia x on top of them but with the two big aiptasias They wrapped their tentacles around the needle. I didn't have to inject it though, the needles aren't actually needles, just flat at the bottom.
How long should the lights out period be? They look like little air bubbles, but when looked at from above appear to be a red color.
I'll do a water change this coming weekend, and some serious scrubbing as well. What is GFO? I don't plan on adding corals for a little while, so this approach should do the trick. I really need to get a phosphate test kit, along with other test kits as well. I'm thinking of getting one of the hanna electronic testers.
When feeding animals, it's best to add an amount of food they can consume in 1-2 minutes correct? I'll watch how much I feed, I'd hate to have a huge algae breakout.
Thanks for the advice fish, I really appreciate it!
Just turn the lights off for like 3-4 days and the algae will start to shrivel up. That will help.
GFO = granulated ferric oxide. It removes PO4 out of the water. However if you leave it in for too long it will start to release PO4 back into the water so you need to change it every 2-3 weeks. I left mine in for a month had an algae problem and as soon as i changed it, it went away
I think i over feed mine in bunches but i feed mine everyother day... but that might start to increase as they look hungrier. but i also run gfo and dont seem to have a problem.
PS- exam over so i have 24 hrs to work on the tank... FINALLY!
Nonameben
New member
I'll do that when I grab the CUC this weekend. Hopefully with both combined there won't be anymore algae left
Ah, I see. Comes in a bag sort of like the activated carbon stuff? I could just put it in my sump and run it for 2-3 weeks
Finally, did you have midterms? I'm studying for an exam as we speak.
Ah, I see. Comes in a bag sort of like the activated carbon stuff? I could just put it in my sump and run it for 2-3 weeks
Finally, did you have midterms? I'm studying for an exam as we speak.
Nonameben
New member
Here's a few more pictures!
Found a crab this morning! It was during lights out, and this is the first time I've ever seen him. Not sure if he is good or bad but he hangs out inside that little hole. Hopefully I'll be able to snap a picture of him when he comes out
Here's either bubble algae or cyano, it's starting to become more red
Close up
Not sure what this is in terms of good/bad
Close up
Found a crab this morning! It was during lights out, and this is the first time I've ever seen him. Not sure if he is good or bad but he hangs out inside that little hole. Hopefully I'll be able to snap a picture of him when he comes out
Here's either bubble algae or cyano, it's starting to become more red
Close up
Not sure what this is in terms of good/bad
Close up
jlylec
New member
chances are that crab isn't good but it's hard to tell by that pic and at that size you probably don't have much to worry about. it's likely a rock crab though that could eat a lot of stuff you don't want it to.
that other algae isn't good either, but it won't last. if you do nothing it will likely go away when it runs it's course and your CUC will clean it up too. the greener hairy algae would be eaten by lots of different kinds of fish too. so i wouldn't worry about it long term. the advice to siphon out the bubble algae is a good one though to be safe and not release more spores into the tank.
that other algae isn't good either, but it won't last. if you do nothing it will likely go away when it runs it's course and your CUC will clean it up too. the greener hairy algae would be eaten by lots of different kinds of fish too. so i wouldn't worry about it long term. the advice to siphon out the bubble algae is a good one though to be safe and not release more spores into the tank.
While waiting on my equipment to come in, I've been doing some rereading on this book. Where the research all started, I highly recommend this book to anyone just starting Saltwater tanks!
Just the dog and I doing some research
Late to the parade but I am new to SW and thats a great book!
Nonameben
New member
I'll get him out and keep him in the sump in that case. Dang, that algae was pretty cool looking. I'll be scrubbing and siphoning and changing water this weekend, and adding a CUC to boot. My lfs told me that if the rest of my peppermints are okay by this weekend they'll replace the one I lost
Nonameben
New member
Isn't it? I reread it many times and it's full of great advice
Silkyslim
New member
Here's a few more pictures!
Found a crab this morning! It was during lights out, and this is the first time I've ever seen him. Not sure if he is good or bad but he hangs out inside that little hole. Hopefully I'll be able to snap a picture of him when he comes out
Here's either bubble algae or cyano, it's starting to become more red
Close up
Not sure what this is in terms of good/bad
Close up
Nothing a cuc can't cure. Also get some gfo and run it in a reactor for the cyano. Your tank will be good as new
No i wish, GFO comes in a bucket and you got to run it through a reactor. so its another thing to add the list. As for midterms i had an exam today, one wednesday, one monday, and one friday... so idk if thats midterms but its hell
iwishtofish
Active member
Beautiful pictures! Some of that algae is pretty, and, depending on what type it is, could look really nice in the tank. Unfortunately, some spreads to crazy proportions (like some caulerpas), and can cause real problems. Regardless, if you ID it and want to save it, GFO might starve it, and one option would be to manually remove the undesirable algae until the desirable algae starts using all the nutrients...just some random thoughts!
GFO is typically run in a reactor, as the water is pushed more evenly through the media that way. It can be used in a bag, though. A problem with that is finding a mesh bag with small enough holes to keep small gfo granules inside. You could buy GFO pellets, but some people say they don't have as much surface area and aren't quite as effective. Better than none, for sure. Just rinse whatever you get in RO/DI water before you put it in the tank, to get all the fine, irritating dust out. It can be messy.
I just feed my fish several times a day (because I have that luxury) just enough pellets that he can finish up in 10-15 seconds. Too much, and he'll lose it, and it will settle in the rocks. I never liked that couple minutes rule. Maybe if I had a ton of fish.
I think once the algae/nutrient issues get worked out in your tank, and a good bilogical filter builds, your tank is going to be really beautiful.
GFO is typically run in a reactor, as the water is pushed more evenly through the media that way. It can be used in a bag, though. A problem with that is finding a mesh bag with small enough holes to keep small gfo granules inside. You could buy GFO pellets, but some people say they don't have as much surface area and aren't quite as effective. Better than none, for sure. Just rinse whatever you get in RO/DI water before you put it in the tank, to get all the fine, irritating dust out. It can be messy.
I just feed my fish several times a day (because I have that luxury) just enough pellets that he can finish up in 10-15 seconds. Too much, and he'll lose it, and it will settle in the rocks. I never liked that couple minutes rule. Maybe if I had a ton of fish.
I think once the algae/nutrient issues get worked out in your tank, and a good bilogical filter builds, your tank is going to be really beautiful.
Nonameben
New member
Ugh, the stuff to buy list just keeps building and building!!
Eventually I'll have a reactor, for now I could try the pellets
Nonameben
New member
Just man handled the exam I took today! Whooooh I'm done with mine! I know the feeling Waddle, and when may rolls around I'm taking a bunch of classes for maymester (a whole semester condensed in one month) We'll see how much attention the fish tank gets :/
Nonameben
New member
Beautiful pictures! Some of that algae is pretty, and, depending on what type it is, could look really nice in the tank. Unfortunately, some spreads to crazy proportions (like some caulerpas), and can cause real problems. Regardless, if you ID it and want to save it, GFO might starve it, and one option would be to manually remove the undesirable algae until the desirable algae starts using all the nutrients...just some random thoughts!
GFO is typically run in a reactor, as the water is pushed more evenly through the media that way. It can be used in a bag, though. A problem with that is finding a mesh bag with small enough holes to keep small gfo granules inside. You could buy GFO pellets, but some people say they don't have as much surface area and aren't quite as effective. Better than none, for sure. Just rinse whatever you get in RO/DI water before you put it in the tank, to get all the fine, irritating dust out. It can be messy.
I just feed my fish several times a day (because I have that luxury) just enough pellets that he can finish up in 10-15 seconds. Too much, and he'll lose it, and it will settle in the rocks. I never liked that couple minutes rule. Maybe if I had a ton of fish.
I think once the algae/nutrient issues get worked out in your tank, and a good bilogical filter builds, your tank is going to be really beautiful.
I know, I really like the lone algae that stands up, but I'm assuming the CUC will get a hold of it. I don't think I have any desirable algae at the moment, but then again I wouldn't know if I did haha.
Yes, eventually I'll run a calcium and gfo reactor in the tank. But for the time being, the pellets seem to be my best option. You're right, better than nothing!
Seeing as our 75's can't support enough fish for the 1-2 min rule, I'll take the 10-15 second approach.
Also for my CUC, I'm thinking of ordering from reefcleaners.org and am not too sure what to get. At the moment I'm planning on getting some Dwarf ceriths, Nassarius, Nerite snails, (2) scarlet hermits, and some turbos. Sound good? What about quantities?
Well thank you friend, I cannot wait to put corals in there. My own little peace of the sea, I love it
But seriously, your's will beat mine hands down! (If you put some sand in there first!!!) hahaha :lmao:
Nonameben
New member
A little update
A little update
Went to the LFS today, talked with my buddy Jason for a good bit who works there. We talked back and forth about my cycle, and it may have not ever happened for some reason. Or I could be one of the very few lucky ones who had it cycled in 3-4 days.. I'll be cautious none the less!
The peppermints are doing great! I haven't seen anymore aiptaisa, and I've seen one majano I missed somehow. I'll get him tonight though.
Anyways, last week the LFS ordered 4 giesemann bulbs for me. Picked them up today
(2) Actinic+
(1) Aquablue+
(1) Pure Actinic
I also got another heater to help out the 300w! Hopefully my temperature will stabalize and stay around 78-82F
Like mentioned above, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a great clean up crew due to the possibility that the tank never cycled. 5 astrea and 5 ceriths were all I got, but still pretty neat!
Here's some photos for yall!
Also found some sea stars roaming around! Pretty excited about that, to say the least :eek2:
ENJOY
A little update
Went to the LFS today, talked with my buddy Jason for a good bit who works there. We talked back and forth about my cycle, and it may have not ever happened for some reason. Or I could be one of the very few lucky ones who had it cycled in 3-4 days.. I'll be cautious none the less!
The peppermints are doing great! I haven't seen anymore aiptaisa, and I've seen one majano I missed somehow. I'll get him tonight though.
Anyways, last week the LFS ordered 4 giesemann bulbs for me. Picked them up today
(2) Actinic+
(1) Aquablue+
(1) Pure Actinic
I also got another heater to help out the 300w! Hopefully my temperature will stabalize and stay around 78-82F
Like mentioned above, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a great clean up crew due to the possibility that the tank never cycled. 5 astrea and 5 ceriths were all I got, but still pretty neat!
Here's some photos for yall!
Also found some sea stars roaming around! Pretty excited about that, to say the least :eek2:
ENJOY
