Are we ready to start adding?

[gburton]

We added live rock that was cured on 2/9, live sand on 3/1. We had also added the proverbial dead shrimp around 2/15. Our SG started at 1.018, pH 7.8 and ammonia, nitrites, nitrates at zero of course. As of 3/7 the SG was 1.025, pH 8.0 and ammonia, nitrites, nitrates still zero. We started to get a covering of brown algea that got worse as the days went by. On 3/20, SG was 1.025, pH down to 7.8 and everything else still at zero. It seems that our cycle would have started and have been finished by now. Can we start adding snails to clean our tank of the algea? We would like to also add a couple of crabs knowing that they can be aggressive and take out the snails if they don't get enough food. We want to start adding, can we? What do you all think? Also, is there something that we can do to get the pH level to increase?

 

[Icefire]

Should be good.
Ph will drop at night, 7.7-8.5 is good.

 

[papagimp]

algae is going to pop up regarldess of snails/hermits being in there. It's a new tank, expect the algae and don't get upset when you have a hard time getting rid of it right away. It will desipate with time, provided you give the tank proper maintance.

You didn't list Calcium or Alk readings, may wanna test those. If you plan on keeping a reef tank, get those test kits and be familiar with why you need them before you add any livestock.

 

[gburton]

I want to bump this to see if anyone else has an opinion. Any help appreciated.

 

[petoonia]

I would start out with a few snails and hermits. See how they do for a week or so, then slowly add more as needed. You can reduce the algae growth a bit by keeping the lights off, then gradually introduce the lighting to the tank.

 

[gburton]

how do the snails and crabs do with the lights off more during the day time?

 

[petoonia]

It shouldnt bother them at all, they dont need light. I ran my tank for over a month before I even got my light fixture. I also had snails and some hermits in my tank. I then gradually introduced the lights to the tank a few hours at a time. I had very little algae outbreaks.

 

[bbehring]

snails and crabs work 24/7. Interesting to watch day or night. Some sit, some work. Kindof like my office!

 

[alexb518]

for a 75 gal, i'd toss in 20-25 hermits and then add more as needed if they don't keep up.

 

[shag26272]

if you use the scarlet reef hermits they wont bother your snails

 

[IMAGINEER]

I did the same thing , I added damsels and used a stability for over a week . I have the same results as you. My local installer/marine keeper said that I am ready .

Use a Marine buffer to raise the PH

 

[papagimp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9579901#post9579901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shag26272
if you use the scarlet reef hermits they wont bother your snails

More accurate to say that they are less inclined to bother your snails. But if they get the urge, they will kill em for a new home. I lost many of my larger snails to a scarlet hermit. But it's been a long time since he's messed with a snail, all my current snails are far to small for him and I think he knows it.

 

[2fishy]

I haven't seen my scarlets or my red tip's bother any snails. My zebra's are another story! They seem to go on killing sprees!

 

[lat0403]

None of my scarlet hermits have bothered any snails so far. They've killed each other a couple times, though.

 

[gburton]

Right on! you guys are awesome. Our kids are driving us crazy about snails, crabs, shrimp, and fish. We told them to be patient. Yea, right. I can hardly be patient. We just don't want to start adding stuff if our water parameters are not finished, but we really havent seen any ammonia, nitrite, nitrate spike. We are going to LFS on thursday to buy snails and crabs. Wish us luck! Thanks for all the great responses.

 

[zoomfish1]

By adding cured live rock, you probably didn't hav much of a cycle, which is good. Go ahead and add your snails and crabs and good luck.

Your biggest job seems like it is going to be to teach the kids patience. That's going to be tough!

 

[gburton]

Yea, I don't know if I am the best role model for this one. But, we're excited! It should be a blast.

 

[zoomfish1]

Just remember to breathe deep, count to ten, then say no. I have to do this for myself all the time.

 

[mistergerardob]

That is very cool, get some snails and maybe a shrimp like a cleaner shrimp. The snails are cool, and so a lot of work in you tank, but for kids they are going to be slow. The cleaner shrimp is always moving, very cool to watch.

 

[gburton]

Mistergerardob, do you have cleaner shrimp and if you do what kind do you have. Which ones do you think work well, aren't going to be harassed, do very much harassing, etc?