getting started

[steinchef]

my tank is going on 3 1/2 weeks now, i have 45 lb of LR, 4 damsels, and 2 peppermint shrimp. all levels seem normal except my nitrate is getting high and i am getting a brownish growth. I did a 10% water change which helped with nitrate, but stuff is still growing. Should i invest in some sort of cleaning crew, or just wait it out and see what happens? Any help would be appreciated, i am new to this and have heard horror stories of moving to quickly, so i am trying not to.:help:

 

[birdy]

Hello and welcome!!
Did you cycle your tank before adding the fish and shrimp (hmmm that sounds like a tasty dinner), Since you are showing Nitrite levels I assume you did not, you now have a couple of options, let your tank cycle, and hope that you do not loose your fish or the shrimps (could loose them all), or you can do a series of water changes to keep the Ammonia and nitrite level down. I would do the later, keep and eye on your levels and do water changes as needed to keep your animals alive, you tank will eventually cycle and you can add more things slowly.
Typically I advise people to cycle a new tank with some uncured LR or some cocktail shrimp, you let the Ammonia and Nitrite levels spike then they drop and your nitrate level will spike and drop to about 20 or 30ppm. After that you are done cycling and you can do a water change and add your first fish.

 

[steinchef]

thank you very much. My nitrate level is now <12.5. is that alright, or should i change more water? Agaiin, thank you.

 

[karajay]

For fish, nitrates can safely be around 40. For inverts you'd want less than 20. Obviously, the closer to zero, the better.
What are your ammonia and nitrite readings? If you are detecting ANY amount of either ammonia or nitrite, then I would suggest you continue with small frequent water changes and wait to add any more livestock. If they are both zero and seem to be stable at zero, then you could probably try a few snails and/or hermits.
That brownish growth is diatoms and is quite common in new systems. It will usually go away on it's own.
:happyfish

 

[beaslbob]

Welcome to this board and salw tanks
I highly recommend you continue to have plant life, even the ugly algaes, in your system. They will consume the ntrAtes you have noticed and are the direct result of those and phosphates. They should turn to green in a few weeks as phosphates are consumed.
If you want to reduce or even possibly eliminate the ugly algaes, you should add plant life you desire. That way the very beneficial and necessary effects of plant life continue.
If you get that new plant life thriving and still have a case of the uglies, then try removeing the uglies. That way the desirables will control the system, consuming the nitrates and starving any future uglies that try to get a foothold.
Again welcome.

 

[steinchef]

my ammonia and nitrites are both at zero. and have held steady for a while. Perhaps i will try a few snails or crabs.it gives me an excuse to buy some livestock! and i am dying to get more! :joy: Thanks for the suggestions and help.

 

[jlem]

How often do you feed your fish?
What is your circulation?
What is your filtration?
I would feed your fish every other day. Feed them enough to where they look slim but not skinny. I they look fat or even slightly fat then you are feeding way to much for what your tank can handle. Your fish will search the tank for food and damsels actually will nibble on the algae. Try doing biweekly 10-15% water changes using RO/DI water along with the reduced feeding and see how it goes. A small cleanup crew from this site could help also, but get a small one.

 

[steinchef]

i have been feeding small amounts 3 times a day. Is that way too much? As for circulation and filtration, i am running a seaclone 100 skimmer, a aquaclear 300 filter, and n aquaclear 400 power head with filter. Do i need more than that? In the future i will get more rock to total about 60 Lbs. and would like to create a reef system. Which raises another question (sorry) I am currently using a Coralife 10,000 k hi-density 40 W light. Will i need more to sustain a reef in the future? If so what will i need and when should i get it?

 

[birdy]

Oh geeze, I read your post wrong, Nitrates of 20 or below are fine for a FOWLR tank,
What type of substrate do you have in your tank. Your filtration sounds fine, be sure you rinse your filter pad once a week a buildup of waste on it can contribute to nitrates.
About the brown, it is diatoms and normal in a new aquarium, if you are not using RO/DI water I highly suggest is, especially if you are wanting to eventually go reef. And yes you do need a cleanup crew, it will help a ton.
As far as lighting, when you decide to get corals you will need to upgrade lighting, do some research on power compacts, VHO's and Metal Halides.

 

[jlem]

Keep in mind that it does not take muck rock to prvide adequate biological filtration. If you like the look of alot of rock and less water then go for it but if you want more fish and like the look of swimming room then you won't need anymore rock. I would feed your fish everyother day. Your fish will beg but they will be just fine as long as they are not scrawny. A 4-65 watt PC retrofit kit mounted in a canopy would allow you to keep lots of different corals. Your tank will go through numerous algae stges for the first year probably so take it slow and keep you stocking levels light untill the tank matures.

 

[steinchef]

You guys are all awesome. I just cant beleive all the help and cool people i have seen post their knowledge while browsing these forums.i know i will be asking plenty more and hope to help others out in the future just as you have done for me.

thank you very much.