I love my aquarium! Thank you SWF.com community!

[travelerjp98]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388413/i-love-my-aquarium-thank-you-swf-com-community#post_3428654
Thanks Traveler! Roughly 80% is 'dry' rock, and 20% is live rock. The live rock is a combo of Fiji live rock and Tonga Branch live rock. I read that mixing different types of live rock was beneficial because allows for more diversity of life.
Fiji Live Rock

Tonga Branch Live Rock

I have a couple of questions.....
1. The Tonga Branch Live Rock is really fuzzy with algae (especially compared with other rock in the aquarium). It seems like the only place in the entire aquarium where my Mexican Turbo Snail has trouble cleaning. I think it might be because the turbo is so big and the branches of rock make it difficult for it to get in there and move in between the rock branches and really clean. Should I add some smaller snails to help out with this rock? If so what would you recommend? (I have some new Ceriths and so far they only seem interested in whats on the back of the aquarium wall).
I don't see any problem with adding some smaller snails to help out with the rock; as long as there are not too many. How about nassarius snails?
2. Does dry rock eventually become live rock?
Yes...
3. Will all of the rock (dry rock included) eventually grow coralline algae? If so, how long does that usually take?
Most of it will... it can take months.
4. I know that the more live rock I have the better, but I still want to actually have room for the fish to swim and eventually add some soft corals. Should I increase the amount of live rock?
I don't know; I think it's your opinion. If it were me I would add more... but I really like your aquascaping.

 

[spanko]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388413/i-love-my-aquarium-thank-you-swf-com-community#post_3428654
I have a couple of questions.....
1. The Tonga Branch Live Rock is really fuzzy with algae (especially compared with other rock in the aquarium). It seems like the only place in the entire aquarium where my Mexican Turbo Snail has trouble cleaning. I think it might be because the turbo is so big and the branches of rock make it difficult for it to get in there and move in between the rock branches and really clean. Should I add some smaller snails to help out with this rock? If so what would you recommend? (I have some new Ceriths and so far they only seem interested in whats on the back of the aquarium wall). A few small Astrea, may help here.
2. Does dry rock eventually become live rock? Yes, over a short period of time it will populate with the nitrifying bacteria. And as time goes by, flora and fauna will start to move into the rock.
3. Will all of the rock (dry rock included) eventually grow coralline algae? If so, how long does that usually take? Yes, patience here. It may help to take a rock that has coralline on it and scrape it with a knife lightly over the tank to spread the coralline spores throughout the tank. Also your water changes will help to keep the calcium at natural seawater levels as this algae uses the calcium for growth.
4. I know that the more live rock I have the better, but I still want to actually have room for the fish to swim and eventually add some soft corals. Should I increase the amount of live rock? IMO the amount of rock you have is fine for your tank. Remember that the bacteria populate every hard surface in the tank including glass, powerheads, filter materials etc. etc.
Everything is looking great Terri. Nicely done.

 

[tirtza]

Thanks! I really appreciate the compliments! You guys are great I'm going to wait about a week and then add some Astria snails. I just added some stuff a week ago and I don't want to add to much to soon. I want to give the system some time to adjust before I do anything else.
Speaking of making changes.....Spanko, when would you say is the right time to continue taking out the bioballs? I had stopped taking out 10 bioballs with each water change after my mishap a month ago ('the perfect storm' when I added the two clown fish, took out some of the bioballs during a water change, over fed my fish, and ended up with an ammonia spike). Now that my water is relatively back to normal I think I might be ready to continue gradually taking out the bioballs as planned, I just need to know when a good time would be. Should I wait one week, two weeks, or more?? I'm still doing 20% water changes each week, and so far my water parameters are okay. Ammonia is somewhere between 0 and .25 (it had been exactly 0 until I added more live rock and snails one week ago (last Sunday). I'm assuming that's why the ammonia jumped up to a little above 0. Nitrites are 0, and Nitrates are still 0.
That leads me to my next question... I'm under the impression that although most aquariusts would like their SW aquariums to have as little Nitrates as possible, is it abnormal that my Nitrates are still at 0.
*Is this because the aquarium is still only 3 months old?
*Or is it because of my bio-load....
Which includes:
CUC: 3 scarlet hermit crabs, 2 Peppermint shrimp, 16 snails
Fish: 1 Lawn Mower Blenny, 2 Clowns, and 1 Fire Fish
I'm not really sure if what I have in the aquarium constitutes a 'high', 'moderate', or 'low' bio load for a 29 gallon aquarium. How high would you say my bio-load is for a 29 gallon?

 

[travelerjp98]

I think that your nitrates are at 0 because of your low bio load. You have a low-moderate bio load.
But.. I would get a second test kit just in case.

 

[tirtza]

Thanks Traveler! I'm using an API test kit right now (in order to save money I'm using the same one I was using when I had a fresh water aquarium). Everything in the kit is the same, I only purchased a separate pH/Alkalinity kit. I use that to test for pH but I've never actually tested for alkalinity...when is it important to check this?
Besides an API brand kit, is there any other brand you would recommend?
Thanks again!

 

[travelerjp98]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388413/i-love-my-aquarium-thank-you-swf-com-community/20#post_3428823
Thanks Traveler! I'm using an API test kit right now (in order to save money I'm using the same one I was using when I had a fresh water aquarium). Everything in the kit is the same, I only purchased a separate pH/Alkalinity kit. I use that to test for pH but I've never actually tested for alkalinity...when is it important to check this?
Besides an API brand kit, is there any other brand you would recommend?
Thanks again!
LOL...... I don't test for alkalinity either. Test it if something doesn't look right.. and also before you are about to add corals.
A brand I really like is seachem.