We all start somewhere... right?

[C3hutson]

I think it's cute when people use big words to kick someone when they're down. It really adds to the condescending superiority of the thing, even though you're still just saying "ur dum! Lulz!"

"Dumbfound" is a neat big word because some say its origin is similar to speechless, cause dumb is the old word for mute. So it's a funny thing to say you are, since if you were, you wouldn't be saying. Haha



Anyway, it's too bad you weren't actually dumbfounded by op's honest mistake which they acknowledge in the title of the thread. It would've been nice if you were so gob-stopped by op's ignorance that you couldn't even make pointless negative remarks. Too bad you weren't dumbfounded

Ignorance and dumbfounded are big words? Huh.

 

[CStrickland]

Ignorance and dumbfounded are big words? Huh.

Well, your contribution to a genuine request for help in the noob section of the forum did have more letters than other phrasings you could have gone with,, such as "OMG look how stupid OP is!"
But it's cute that your first reaction is quibbling about the precise definition of "big."

 

[C3hutson]

Well, your contribution to a genuine request for help in the noob section of the forum did have more letters than other phrasings you could have gone with,, such as "OMG look how stupid OP is!"

But it's cute that your first reaction is quibbling about the precise definition of "big."

I think that is twice you called me cute now. Wanna exchange grindr info??

 

[gone fishin]

Regardless of the big words the Op has made some positive strides since he/she first set up and started their tank.

If one tried adding something positive to the thread then maybe they would be less dumbfounded.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

[Flamealert]

 

[oldbones]

Nassarius snails, in my experience, have a hard time during the early stages of a tanks lifecycle. In fact, during a diatom bloom, their activity (for me, anyway) was very minimal. Once the diatoms pass naturally, expect to see their activity level pick up considerably.

 

[dbk111]

Unless there's something I'm not seeing, your sump doesn't appear to be working right. Water level in your return section should be lower than that middle section. Your baffle appears to higher than the water level. Do you have slots cut in that last baffle or something? If you can I would return all the fish until your cycle is complete. You could keep them in there. By some chance they may all survive, they may all die though which is senseless, compounding that you now have fish you don't want in your tank just to cycle it that you are now gonna have to try and catch to remove them. I'd find a new LFS or order online.

Edit: Ultimately you have to slow down. Nothing happens fast in this hobby except disaster. I'm sure most experienced guys on here will tell you that patience is the key. If you stay in the hobby long enough you may realize it 2 months from now, 6 months, or 2 years, but at some point it will slap you in the face and youll say to yourself "I should have been listening to them all along". You need 3 things. Patience, husbandry, consistency. That's it.

uuummmm -- You forgot cash $$$

 

[joshbrookkate]

I have been following this thread from the first day, and it has come a looooong way. Another example of RC getting newcomer on the right track.

+1

Kudos to the OP for asking and following advice. Kudos to those who have patiently given advice. That's what keeps me coming to RC to learn. (I'm here at least an hour every day!)

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

6.5 weeks into the cycle, and now I've got the begining of dinoflagellates.

Is this normal to the cycle, and will phase itself out?

Or am I screwed like Google says I am?

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

I will be moving the clownfish into my QT tank this weekend, doing a water change, rearranging the rock, and adding 1 of the 2 needed power heads. (Adding up to 1 600gph and 1 1150gph heads leaving 1 1150gph to be ordered)

Should I turn the sand over? Should I do anything special with the rock while it's being moved around?

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

 

[LuciDog]

Not necessarily. There are few other algae's that look almost identical to Dino's, but are in fact not Dino's. First thing you need to do is get an ID. Are they Dino's, and if so, what strain?

IF you have Dino's, the good news is your tank is fallow. You have a lot of room to deal with them without the risk of jeopardizing fish and coral.

Get the ID. Seriously.

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

I will give the identification process a shot on Saturday. I don't have enough time in a day to do it during the week.

Can I still go about my planned cleanup, while I'm waiting for the results? Will turning the sand over and rubbing the rocks clean have a negative effect?

Will raising the pH be bad for any inverts like the snails I have?

 

[LuciDog]

I wouldn't do anything until you know. You could start a massive bloom. Don't disturb them. Once you move the clown, turn your lights off. That will keep it at bay.

Personally, I wouldn't do anything right now. Can you get access to a microscope?

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

...Can you get access to a microscope?

Not that I know of. Working 13 hour days between 2 jobs really limits my time spent on the tank, so I plan my water changes and other things like that for weekends. With it being late Thursday already, I may not be able to have the identification done till Saturday, which, if it is an issue, means I won't be able to attack the tank for 2 weeks. I have my son every other weekend, and fishtank chores are put off when he is in town.

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

Clown is out and being acclimated to the QT.

Tank is wrapped in a dark sheet, and all lights (sump too) have been switched off.

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

A little update on the tank...

On 10/9 the clown moved into my QT. I've since added many snails and hermits and let the tank go through a couple different "blooms". The hitch-hikers from the live rock finally made an appearance and helped with the clean up. After a while I had a green water bloom. Gross.

Over the holiday weekend I built a new sump, installed a BRS carbon/GFO reactor, a 9W UV sterilizer, and a Seaclone 100.

Water is clearing up nicely. In less than 24 hours it has cleared up probably 50%.

Hoping to move the clown back in on 12/12.

 

[kmbyrnes]

This has been an interesting Sunday AM read. I looked at this thread when it started and was amazed that the OP stuck around to take the ( possibly deserved ) animosity.
I dropped it when the attitude started to take a turn for the worse.

LeadFootedRacer, it is clear you have the desire to be successful and managed to find the great advice hidden in the sometimes snarky comments. RC has helped me and countless others build successful tanks. Remember this time when your tank is looking great and use this experience to help some other newcomer get past the rookie mistakes.

 

[gone fishin]

Congrats it sounds like it has been a slow hard process but your getting there. I wish you continued good luck.

 

[LeadFootedRacer]

View attachment 334871

12 full weeks in. Loving the way it's looking. Couple more weeks till I move the clown back in, and hopefully pick up a new friend to put in QT.