When can i add some snails?

[Jimsreef]

My rock has been curing now for 2 1/2 weeks and I am getting some green algae growing on some of the rocks pretty thick on some of them. How low do the nitrates have to be before adding some snails? Jim

 

[Avi]

Has the ammonia and the nitrites retreated to zero? What reading do you get for nitrates now?

 

[RockStarFish]

you should be able to add snails and crabs. they are very hardy

 

[bertoni]

I would wait until the ammonia has been zero for a few weeks. That'll reduce stress on the animals. Some water changes (say 25% each) would be a good idea along the way, IMO.

 

[Jimsreef]

My ammonia has been at zero for about a week now and nitrites are at 0 looking from the top on the salifert test but through the side you can see some color. I just did a nitrate test and it is arround 5. Jim

 

[Avi]

I'd wait one more week. The ammonia and nitrites are at zero and if they stay that way, even if the nitrates don't drop any more, that would be a strong indicator that the tank is cycled. I would then add the snails you want to add...but go slow and keep testing.

 

[Jimsreef]

Would it be safe to add some chaeto to my refugium in the sump then as well? Jim

 

[bertoni]

The Chaetomorpha should be fine any time now as far as water parameters.

 

[CaptainCoral]

If you're Nitrates are at zero at 2.5 weeks, and there are no detectable levels of ammonia, the rock must have been pretty well cured to begin with. If you're growing green algeas at 2.5 weeks (rather than brown diatoms), I'd say you can add at least snails.

Yeah, add the Macro to the fuge asap, and get that skimmer running.
Your next trick is to keep the Magnesium up, the calcium and alkalinity balanced, and you're on your way.

 

[Avi]

Placing chaeto in the tank is fine, if you don't mind it's growth, but don't put it into your sump unless it's got a light over it...and try to have a bulb of the kind that would foster the chaeto's growth optimally