Algae on Plastic Seaweed
- Thread starter silver105
- Start date
sepulatian
Moderator
Silver, is this your display tank? I am curious about your water quality. Could you please tell us how long this tank has been running and post your readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, kh, sg, and temp? I am not swayed at all by the previous posters comment. I do not use Ro water myself. Please tell us all about your tank.
socal57che
Active Member
I'm with Sep, she's pretty bright.
Looks like some water changes and filter media cleanings are in your future.
Might want to remove the plastic models and replace them with real plants. FOWLR, correct? No coral, I assume.
Looks like some water changes and filter media cleanings are in your future.
Might want to remove the plastic models and replace them with real plants. FOWLR, correct? No coral, I assume.
socal57che
Active Member
Noticed you have a 20g tank. Small tanks are less forgiving than large tanks when something goes awry. You should monitor water quality closely.
silver105
New Member
Ok first of all, I check my water about 2 or 3 times a week to make sure things are ok. It is a 20 gallon tank, and yes they are fake plastic plants. When I perform a water check it's a little strip of paper that has 6 square pads on it which react to the water quality 2 of which are not applicable to salt water tanks. Also I do a 25% water change once a week, on average my Nitrate and Nitrite's read Nitrate 20 - 25 which is in the ok area, and my Nitrite reads about .5 which is in the caution area, this of course is only after about a week and the water hasn't been changed. The Alkalinity always reads about 300ppm which is set in the ideal area, and the Salt PH is about 7.8 which is in the acceptable area. As far as hardness or Clorine I don't check to often I do know the water is fairly hard, but I use the appropriate chemicals such as Ace and Start Right to remove Chlorine. I don't know the ammonia level and I believe the Temp is between 80-90 I may be wrong about that. The tank has been up and running for about 2 months now, I have 4 fish as well as a starfish and a Mine Urchine and 3 small inverts and a snail. Yes I know I'm at the maximum limit for my tank but so far they are all doing great and like I said I make water changes once a week. No I have no Coral, I have 2 pieces of live rock and a bunch of sea shells in the tank and 3 other fake plants and 2 model figurines.
jessica47421
Active Member
hopefully the temp is closer to 80, i believe 90 is to high.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
Ok first of all, I check my water about 2 or 3 times a week to make sure things are ok. It is a 20 gallon tank, and yes they are fake plastic plants. When I perform a water check it's a little strip of paper that has 6 square pads on it which react to the water quality 2 of which are not applicable to salt water tanks. Also I do a 25% water change once a week, on average my Nitrate and Nitrite's read Nitrate 20 - 25 which is in the ok area, and my Nitrite reads about .5 which is in the caution area, this of course is only after about a week and the water hasn't been changed. The Alkalinity always reads about 300ppm which is set in the ideal area, and the Salt PH is about 7.8 which is in the acceptable area. As far as hardness or Clorine I don't check to often I do know the water is fairly hard, but I use the appropriate chemicals such as Ace and Start Right to remove Chlorine.
Please do not take offense to our comments and requests. We are here to help you. First, ditch the 5-in-1 strips. They are not accurate at all. Pick up a liquid master test kit. API kits are about $25. I use this one myself. It is well worth the few extra dollars. It is acurate and lasts for quite awhile. Saltwater ph should be at 8.2. You can use plastic plants if you wish. To my knowledge they will not adversely effect your water. How old is this tank and what do you have in it?
Ok first of all, I check my water about 2 or 3 times a week to make sure things are ok. It is a 20 gallon tank, and yes they are fake plastic plants. When I perform a water check it's a little strip of paper that has 6 square pads on it which react to the water quality 2 of which are not applicable to salt water tanks. Also I do a 25% water change once a week, on average my Nitrate and Nitrite's read Nitrate 20 - 25 which is in the ok area, and my Nitrite reads about .5 which is in the caution area, this of course is only after about a week and the water hasn't been changed. The Alkalinity always reads about 300ppm which is set in the ideal area, and the Salt PH is about 7.8 which is in the acceptable area. As far as hardness or Clorine I don't check to often I do know the water is fairly hard, but I use the appropriate chemicals such as Ace and Start Right to remove Chlorine.
Please do not take offense to our comments and requests. We are here to help you. First, ditch the 5-in-1 strips. They are not accurate at all. Pick up a liquid master test kit. API kits are about $25. I use this one myself. It is well worth the few extra dollars. It is acurate and lasts for quite awhile. Saltwater ph should be at 8.2. You can use plastic plants if you wish. To my knowledge they will not adversely effect your water. How old is this tank and what do you have in it?
sepulatian
Moderator
I don't know the ammonia level and I believe the Temp is between 80-90 I may be wrong about that. The tank has been up and running for about 2 months now, I have 4 fish as well as a starfish and a Mine Urchine and 3 small inverts and a snail. Yes I know I'm at the maximum limit for my tank but so far they are all doing great and like I said I make water changes once a week.
You need to know EXACTLY what your temp reading is. Pick any degree between 78-82 and keep it there! What fish do you have? I am cocerned about a star and an urchine in a small tank that is new. Both need mature tanks. How much LR do you have?
You need to know EXACTLY what your temp reading is. Pick any degree between 78-82 and keep it there! What fish do you have? I am cocerned about a star and an urchine in a small tank that is new. Both need mature tanks. How much LR do you have?
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
Fyi, I am editing my previous comment as i read other posts, and no I'm not taking offense, but I do take pride in taking care of my tank and my fish. And I appreciate all the help I can get.
That is what we are here for. You have a large bioload in a new tank. You realy do need to know your exact readings. I would not be surprised if they were high. You are only supposed to add one fish every 3-4 weeks.
Fyi, I am editing my previous comment as i read other posts, and no I'm not taking offense, but I do take pride in taking care of my tank and my fish. And I appreciate all the help I can get.
That is what we are here for. You have a large bioload in a new tank. You realy do need to know your exact readings. I would not be surprised if they were high. You are only supposed to add one fish every 3-4 weeks.
silver105
New Member
The starfish is a Cookie Starfish, and as I was told would do fine in a fish tank, he's been doing well for the past month, the Mine urchin has been in my tank for the past 3 weeks or so, and he's doing well they seem to leave each other alone, the fish are as follows:
Flame Hawkfish
Blackcap Baslet
Jewel Damsel
Blacksaddle Back Clownfish.
The snail is a mexican turbo snail, the inverts are 2 scarlet hermits and 1 porcelain crab and they've been in my tank for about 2 months as well.
And the Tank is about 2 to 3 months old maybe
Flame Hawkfish
Blackcap Baslet
Jewel Damsel
Blacksaddle Back Clownfish.
The snail is a mexican turbo snail, the inverts are 2 scarlet hermits and 1 porcelain crab and they've been in my tank for about 2 months as well.
And the Tank is about 2 to 3 months old maybe
silver105
New Member
In case you didn't notice in my previous post I have 2 pieces of live rock that are bout 5x5inches in size, and I didn't add all my fish at once, I ordered 3 fish from this site about 2 weeks after starting my tank in which time I had 2 fish bought from a local store both of which ended up in a friends tank after the three fish got in my tank about 3 weeks after my tank had been up and running. I waited about four more weeks before I added the hawkfish and the three inverts and starfish, and about 3 more weeks after that I got the snail and the urchin. I have been changing my filter every time I clean my tank. And I'm curious as to why the strips aren't any good not that I don't trust you I'm going to go get this API tester you recommended if I can find one lol.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
The starfish is a Cookie Starfish, and as I was told would do fine in a fish tank, he's been doing well for the past month, the Mine urchin has been in my tank for the past 3 weeks or so, and he's doing well they seem to leave each other alone, the fish are as follows:
Flame Hawkfish
Blackcap Baslet
Jewel Damsel
Blacksaddle Back Clownfish.
The snail is a mexican turbo snail, the inverts are 2 scarlet hermits and 1 porcelain crab and they've been in my tank for about 2 months as well.
And the Tank is about 2 to 3 months old maybe
By "cookie star" do you mean a chocolate chip star? Is it beige in color with brown nubs on it's arms? The fish that you have selected will not do well in a 20 galon all together. Jewel damsels are nasty little fish and grow to over 8". They need a minimum of a 55 gallon. Saddelback clowns need a minimum of a 30 gallon. How long have you had him? They are highly likely to get brooklynella and not adapt to prepared foods. Some do and some don't. I would keep a bottle of formalin on hand and read the Common Treatments FAQ in the Disease and Treatment forum, just to be ready. Flame hawks are cool, but a 20 is too small for them with that many other fish. If he had only one other tank mate then he would be fine. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but that is WAY too many fish in too small of a tank, that were added too quickly.
The starfish is a Cookie Starfish, and as I was told would do fine in a fish tank, he's been doing well for the past month, the Mine urchin has been in my tank for the past 3 weeks or so, and he's doing well they seem to leave each other alone, the fish are as follows:
Flame Hawkfish
Blackcap Baslet
Jewel Damsel
Blacksaddle Back Clownfish.
The snail is a mexican turbo snail, the inverts are 2 scarlet hermits and 1 porcelain crab and they've been in my tank for about 2 months as well.
And the Tank is about 2 to 3 months old maybe
By "cookie star" do you mean a chocolate chip star? Is it beige in color with brown nubs on it's arms? The fish that you have selected will not do well in a 20 galon all together. Jewel damsels are nasty little fish and grow to over 8". They need a minimum of a 55 gallon. Saddelback clowns need a minimum of a 30 gallon. How long have you had him? They are highly likely to get brooklynella and not adapt to prepared foods. Some do and some don't. I would keep a bottle of formalin on hand and read the Common Treatments FAQ in the Disease and Treatment forum, just to be ready. Flame hawks are cool, but a 20 is too small for them with that many other fish. If he had only one other tank mate then he would be fine. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but that is WAY too many fish in too small of a tank, that were added too quickly.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
In case you didn't notice in my previous post I have 2 pieces of live rock that are bout 5x5inches in size, and I didn't add all my fish at once, I ordered 3 fish from this site about 2 weeks after starting my tank in which time I had 2 fish bought from a local store both of which ended up in a friends tank after the three fish got in my tank about 3 weeks after my tank had been up and running. I waited about four more weeks before I added the hawkfish and the three inverts and starfish, and about 3 more weeks after that I got the snail and the urchin. I have been changing my filter every time I clean my tank. And I'm curious as to why the strips aren't any good not that I don't trust you I'm going to go get this API tester you recommended if I can find one lol.
The strips give you an "idea" of what your readings are. I have used both. Please conduct your own tests. When you get the liquid test kit, do both and see what your readings are. You will see how far off the strip are
Did you cycle this tank before you added fish? If so, what did you use? You added 3 fish two weeks after it was set up. It could not have cycled all of the way. Please, PLEASE get a test kit and actual readings for us!
In case you didn't notice in my previous post I have 2 pieces of live rock that are bout 5x5inches in size, and I didn't add all my fish at once, I ordered 3 fish from this site about 2 weeks after starting my tank in which time I had 2 fish bought from a local store both of which ended up in a friends tank after the three fish got in my tank about 3 weeks after my tank had been up and running. I waited about four more weeks before I added the hawkfish and the three inverts and starfish, and about 3 more weeks after that I got the snail and the urchin. I have been changing my filter every time I clean my tank. And I'm curious as to why the strips aren't any good not that I don't trust you I'm going to go get this API tester you recommended if I can find one lol.
The strips give you an "idea" of what your readings are. I have used both. Please conduct your own tests. When you get the liquid test kit, do both and see what your readings are. You will see how far off the strip are
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
Also the temp is between 82-84 It's a plastic strip on the side of the tank that I'm not quite sure if I read it correctly but I'm thinking that's about rite, the water itself does not feel hot.
Is it a strip on the outside of the tank? Those are inacurate as well. The temp of the room effects the reading. In-tank thermometers cost $1, please buy one. Did your LFS sell you all of this and give you the advice?
Also the temp is between 82-84 It's a plastic strip on the side of the tank that I'm not quite sure if I read it correctly but I'm thinking that's about rite, the water itself does not feel hot.
Is it a strip on the outside of the tank? Those are inacurate as well. The temp of the room effects the reading. In-tank thermometers cost $1, please buy one. Did your LFS sell you all of this and give you the advice?
silver105
New Member
Yes the Starfish is a Chocolate Starfish, I call him cookie my bad lol. When I read up on these fish most of them won't get bigger then 2 or 3 inches and the Jewel right now is the smallest in the tank all though it eats a lot from what i read it wasn't supposed to be bigger than 2 inches and from my observations the jewel damsel is probably the least aggressive in the tank it swims all over the place, but the only one who is slightly aggressive is the black saddle back and that would only be when the jewel swims into his space, and he never really attacks the jewel just chases it away. I've had the saddleback, the jewel, and the blackcap basslet since weeks after my tank started. All three of them are still doing just fine, although I did hear that the saddlebacks tend to have trouble in small tanks so I've been keeping an eye on him, what is formalin? he's been eating both brine and Nutrafin Max flake food. I know the flamehawk will get the largest even so not much bigger then 3-4 inches from what I've read on this site, most of the time he perches himself between the heater and the side of the tank and comes down every once in a while to observe the area and eat.
socal57che
Active Member
Don't replace your filter media. Just clean it in a bucket of water removed during your water change. This way you keep the bacteria that lives in it.
We want you to be successful.
Welcome to saltwater!!!!!!!!
Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia should ideally be near 0.
How much do you feed and how often?
We want you to be successful.
Welcome to saltwater!!!!!!!!
Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia should ideally be near 0.
How much do you feed and how often?
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by Silver105
Yes the Starfish is a Chocolate Starfish, I call him cookie my bad lol. When I read up on these fish most of them won't get bigger then 2 or 3 inches and the Jewel right now is the smallest in the tank all though it eats a lot from what i read it wasn't supposed to be bigger than 2 inches and from my observations the jewel damsel is probably the least aggressive in the tank it swims all over the place, but the only one who is slightly aggressive is the black saddle back and that would only be when the jewel swims into his space, and he never really attacks the jewel just chases it away. I've had the saddleback, the jewel, and the blackcap basslet since weeks after my tank started. All three of them are still doing just fine, although I did hear that the saddlebacks tend to have trouble in small tanks so I've been keeping an eye on him, what is formalin? he's been eating both brine and Nutrafin Max flake food. I know the flamehawk will get the largest even so not much bigger then 3-4 inches from what I've read on this site, most of the time he perches himself between the heater and the side of the tank and comes down every once in a while to observe the area and eat.
Sir/Madam, you have been badly informed. I can tell that you truely care about your fish. My advice, if you want to keep all of what you have now, is to start shopping for a 55 or larger and get it cycled. Those fish will not co-exist for long in such a small tank. You have to spot feed that CC star with chunks of meaty food. Your diet for your fish is very poor. Pick up some frozen formula foods. Formula foods have a variety of meats and vegetables in them (all from the ocean) they will satisfy everyone in your tank.
Yes the Starfish is a Chocolate Starfish, I call him cookie my bad lol. When I read up on these fish most of them won't get bigger then 2 or 3 inches and the Jewel right now is the smallest in the tank all though it eats a lot from what i read it wasn't supposed to be bigger than 2 inches and from my observations the jewel damsel is probably the least aggressive in the tank it swims all over the place, but the only one who is slightly aggressive is the black saddle back and that would only be when the jewel swims into his space, and he never really attacks the jewel just chases it away. I've had the saddleback, the jewel, and the blackcap basslet since weeks after my tank started. All three of them are still doing just fine, although I did hear that the saddlebacks tend to have trouble in small tanks so I've been keeping an eye on him, what is formalin? he's been eating both brine and Nutrafin Max flake food. I know the flamehawk will get the largest even so not much bigger then 3-4 inches from what I've read on this site, most of the time he perches himself between the heater and the side of the tank and comes down every once in a while to observe the area and eat.
Sir/Madam, you have been badly informed. I can tell that you truely care about your fish. My advice, if you want to keep all of what you have now, is to start shopping for a 55 or larger and get it cycled. Those fish will not co-exist for long in such a small tank. You have to spot feed that CC star with chunks of meaty food. Your diet for your fish is very poor. Pick up some frozen formula foods. Formula foods have a variety of meats and vegetables in them (all from the ocean) they will satisfy everyone in your tank.