are my conditions ok now for first coral?

[timsedwards]

Hi Guys,
I think I have finally got my conditions ok for first coral (regardless of diatoms (see other post!) and apstasia is being removed as we speak hopefully).
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
pH - 8.2
Salinity - 1.024-1.025
Calcium - 450
Alk/dkH - 7.6/2.68
Phosphate - 0
Temp - 82
Copper - 0
Is this lot ok for polyps/leather?
Thanks,
Tim.

 

[nerdy]

Sounds good to me!

 

[broomer5]

I think I would wait for the diatoms to clear before adding anything else.
If all is well .... diatoms always clear up after awhile.

 

[timsedwards]

do i have to wait for diatoms to clear
I think that they are kinda irrelevant to the wellbeing of my corals? its on aesthetically that they are particularly affecting the tank?
I still dont completely understand Alk. How do you alter it and what else affects it?
Thanks,
Tim.

 

[timsedwards]

ok cheers kipass. do you agree with me on diatoms not playing a role in my coral purchasing?

 

[timsedwards]

thanks kipass,
Well I was going to get something relatively cheap anyway, leather or a polyps, relatively easy to keep.
I still fail to see the connection between diatoms and corals....what does it matter?
Thanks for your info!
Tim.

 

[timsedwards]

Hi Kipass!
Firstly I just want to say thanks for all the help you have given me on all of the threads! I owe ya one! I would read around a lot more but I am at university and it is exam time so I really dont have the time to sadly
No I have never tried vacuuming them up. Should I do this with a gravel cleaner thing? I am just very dubious on disturbing the substrate. What do you think?
Conch's over here in the UK are hard to come by and when you do they are $50! So no, i dont have any conchs!
Are you on AIM or MSN messenger?
Thanks,
Tim.

 

[timsedwards]

ok cheers mate.
Just the one question which you keep to be avoiding p ), what is the relationship between diatoms and corals? Are diatoms detrimental to corals?
Thanks again,
Tim.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by timsedwards
ok cheers mate.
Just the one question which you keep to be avoiding p ), what is the relationship between diatoms and corals? Are diatoms detrimental to corals?

You're all set for Polyps IMO. Start slow and watch them carefully. If you notice new polyps growing by next month go for a nice leather.
To answer your wuestion, NO. Diatoms are not detrimental to corals. However, the tank conditions where Diatoms flourish are sometimes detrimental to Corals. i.e. High Phosphate levels.

 

[timsedwards]

i see i understand the PO4 thing, but thankfully my PO4's are 0.
I understand silicates arent so dangerous for corals?

 

[bang guy]

Silicates are harmless for Corals and beneficial to many reef critters including many of the nicer Sponges. Diatoms feed bugs, bugs feed corals. I now purposely make conditions ripe for Diatoms to flourish (other than PO4). This increases my snail and bug populations and the glass and sand stay cleaner. This takes time to get the appropriate balance (years) but once it's achieved it works very well.