55g 3 months running

[capbarrow2]

Well guys here is my 55 at it's 3 month anniversary. It has been a fun, stressful, eventful, and trying 3 months, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I find new stuff almost daily and love the thrill of finding something new in the tank. To this point I have found a Ric, a purple mushroom which just appeared one evening, and a host of small duster type things. I just upgraded the lighting to the Nova Extreme 48 inch, 8x54 (4 10,000K and 4 460nm) and the tank has gone wild with the new lighting. Only problem I have had thus far has been nitrates, it has been a bear trying to keep them under control. Could be from the snowflake taking food and then not eating it all. *shrug* Well here are the pics.

 

[trigger11]

Originally Posted by capbarrow2
http:///forum/post/2487034
Well guys here is my 55 at it's 3 month anniversary. It has been a fun, stressful, eventful, and trying 3 months, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I find new stuff almost daily and love the thrill of finding something new in the tank. To this point I have found a Ric, a purple mushroom which just appeared one evening, and a host of small duster type things. I just upgraded the lighting to the Nova Extreme 48 inch, 8x54 (4 10,000K and 4 460nm) and the tank has gone wild with the new lighting. Only problem I have had thus far has been nitrates, it has been a bear trying to keep them under control. Could be from the snowflake taking food and then not eating it all. *shrug* Well here are the pics.
Nice looking pictures. I like finding new things in my tank as well. At least when they are good things. LOL
Just something to ponder about that I see in the pictures. I see you have two tangs in there as well as several other fishes. I could see why you are battling the nitrates. Your battle will progessively worsen as the fish get to a larger size. IMO you will end up being over the biological stocking point. In other words, too many fish for the filtration of the system. The extra fish waste will go through the cycle resulting in nitrates.
~Trigger

 

[socal57che]

How many powerheads do you have. I saw an inlet sponge for maybe one. You may have food and waste settling in nooks and crannies. Looks like sediment accumulated on the rocks. I clean mine off with a turkey baster every few weeks.
What is your water change schedule like?

 

[nycbob]

u hv a few of messy eaters in ur tank. eel and the yelllow tang eat a lot. to control and reduce the nitrate, u shold look into getting more live rocks and perhaps 2 tridanca clams. the clams will definitely reduce nitrate since they filter out any suspended particle in the water column. u wouldnt hv to spot feed the clams with anything since u hv enough bioload. u hv the lighting requirements for clams.

 

[rcreations]

Ever since I got two clams a few months ago, my nitrates have been at zero constantly. I have a 4-5 inch Derasa and a 4 inch Crocea.