Ammonia question

robertmathern

Active Member
Speaking of Diatom eaters let me know what will eat it. I thought They go away on it own but I am not seeing it. I have 5 blueleg hermits and had 5 astria snals now down to 2
stupid hermits. The snails eat it but not very quick at this rate it will take a year to get rid of it all. And I deffintly dont want cayno.
 

robertmathern

Active Member
Well I had shells in there when I got the hermits but I guess they did not like them. I got a bunch more and they have almost all changed sheels and now are leaving the snails alone. So I think I might be ok.
 

camfish

Active Member
Ceriths are great. Correct me if I'm wrong but after diatoms eat up all the silicates, can't they start to consume phosphates?
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Remember most snails are intolerant of high nitrates, which you may incur in a newly stabilizing tank I would go with crabs
 

robertmathern

Active Member
So far so good on trates. I have not seen it as high as 10 yet. What kind of crabs I have been wanting to get a couple anyway. I was thinking some emrald crabs would be cool to have but then I think I read when they get bigger they are not reef safe. Is that true.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
The Emerald Mithrax Crab is well respected for its scavenging ability. It will enthusiastically feed on uneaten meaty foods and many types of nuisance algae. Unlike many other animals, Mithrax sculptus will eat bubble algae and helps clean your aquarium of these algae. Its distinct, flat shiny green body and hairy legs easily identify the Emerald Mithrax Crab.
Native to the reefs of the Caribbean, the Emerald Mithrax Crab is nocturnal and hides in caves and amongst rubble during the day. In the home aquarium, this member of the Majidae family requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of rockwork and hiding places. Once familiar with its surroundings, the Emerald Mithrax Crab will venture out of hiding during the day to forage on algae.
Care needs to be taken to ensure an ample supply of food is available for the Emerald Mithrax Crab. Many aquarists supplement the Emerald Mithrax Crab's diet with dried seaweed and chopped meaty foods, such as shrimp, as well as a quality pellet fish food.
Otherwise, this opportunistic feeder may turn to corals, invertebrates, or small fish for a food source. However, when well fed, most Emerald Mithrax Crabs are very tolerant of their tankmates and highly compatible in reef environments. Like other invertebrates, the Emerald Mithrax does not tolerate copper-based medications or fluctuating water parameters.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
i have emberals love them i have just orderd these guys you may want to look into them also
The Spotted Porcelain Crab is an exquisite reef safe crab. They are reef safe, peaceful, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals. Very interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium. Common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, they have a flat, round body with two large claws and a pair of maxillipeds which are used to catch plankton in the water column. They are also algae eaters and enjoy lots of live rock to graze and hide, and do well in groups. They are light blue in color and covered in small red spots, with orange tipped legs; a very unique addition to the reef aquarium. Safely concealed by rocks or coral, the Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.
 

camfish

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2881067
i have emberals love them i have just orderd these guys you may want to look into them also
The Spotted Porcelain Crab is an exquisite reef safe crab. They are reef safe, peaceful, and will not harm other invertebrates or corals. Very interesting invertebrates for the marine aquarium. Common throughout the tropical oceans of the world, they have a flat, round body with two large claws and a pair of maxillipeds which are used to catch plankton in the water column. They are also algae eaters and enjoy lots of live rock to graze and hide, and do well in groups. They are light blue in color and covered in small red spots, with orange tipped legs; a very unique addition to the reef aquarium. Safely concealed by rocks or coral, the Porcelain Crab constantly filters the water for planktonic food, but will also scavenge for larger meaty portions. Offer the crab small bits of fish, shrimp or meaty food, as well as foods designed for filter feeders.
Porcelain crabs are awesome. If they are startled, they will rip one of their limbs off and hide. The limb will serve as a distraction and will regrow. That is why they are called porcelain crabs...they are fragile.
 

robertmathern

Active Member
Thanks joe really good info there. I will have to wait a bit though it said well established tank. I have only had my tank running a total of 6 weeks now. 3 after the cycle. But they are a must for my tank. I will have to see now I have had my fish in there for 2 weeks and juststarted to make my own food bascilly fish and shrimp mushed together. But 1 time I put this little piece in there and man it like tripled in size instanly. But the shrimps semmed to take care of it tank god. And no amonia spikes witch I would have seen by now. I also feed cyclo pleze. But I think I need to get a better grip on the feeding part seems a little harder than I thought as far as the amount. But so far water has been good. Little low on ph but from what I heard here it could be linked to the alge itself plus I need to keep my sump and dt light offset but the sump light burned out. Forgot to get another one when at the store today. So thanks for the info man this hobby is cool.
 

lafish

Member
I wish you huys had clarified that you were joking earlier. I ended up adding a lionfish, 3 damsels and a clam. jk...
Thanks for all of the tips...
 

camfish

Active Member
Originally Posted by LAfish
http:///forum/post/2881204
I wish you huys had clarified that you were joking earlier. I ended up adding a lionfish, 3 damsels and a clam. jk...
Thanks for all of the tips...
Your welcome and thanks for the heart attack lol. You had me going...
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by robertmathern
http:///forum/post/2881144
Thanks joe really good info there. I will have to wait a bit though it said well established tank. I have only had my tank running a total of 6 weeks now. 3 after the cycle. But they are a must for my tank. I will have to see now I have had my fish in there for 2 weeks and juststarted to make my own food bascilly fish and shrimp mushed together. But 1 time I put this little piece in there and man it like tripled in size instanly. But the shrimps semmed to take care of it tank god. And no amonia spikes witch I would have seen by now. I also feed cyclo pleze. But I think I need to get a better grip on the feeding part seems a little harder than I thought as far as the amount. But so far water has been good. Little low on ph but from what I heard here it could be linked to the alge itself plus I need to keep my sump and dt light offset but the sump light burned out. Forgot to get another one when at the store today. So thanks for the info man this hobby is cool.
COOL just wait unitll you have to deal with issues that make sticking pins in your eyes and chewing on tin foil seem like fun
 

camfish

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2881692
COOL just wait unitll you have to deal with issues that make sticking pins in your eyes and chewing on tin foil seem like fun
Why is it that bad things happen super fast and good things take time?
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by camfish
http:///forum/post/2881703
Why is it that bad things happen super fast and good things take time?
No my friend it’s just the inevitable in this hobby duplicating our oceans is a daunting if not imposable task
 
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