Nano Questions

jhenson

jhenson

Member
My tank has been going for about a month now. It's an 11gal. Here are my current readings
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Calcium - 430
KH - 12.8 (high I know but it's in the water that I get from LFS)
Alk - 4.57 (same as KH)
Salinity - 1.023
Lighting - Via Aqua hood with 2 x 18w bulbs (forgive me on this as my lighting knowledge is limited but one is a white light and the other the blue flourescent)
Substrate - 2.5 inches of crushed live sand
Flow rate - not 100% of the pump size but it's getting good flow throughout the tank.
I am having a bronw film algae that is growing on the glass a bit quicker than my 5 snails can remove. I only have two fish in there along with 1 scarlet hermit, 5 blue legs, a coral banded and a fire shrimp. I know that I might be overfeeding a bit as I'm not used to feeding such a small amount. Lights are on for about 9.5 hrs per day. Anything else that I can do to reduce the growth?
Also - this is my first reef tank and I am completely addicted. Is ther a food that will work best for my corals? Right now I'm using something called "Combo Vita" which my LFS recommended. I currently have a few mushrooms, some zoo's, a xenia, green star polyps and a leather toad stool. In the future I'll probably add a frogspawn or hammer coral and then a torch coral but that would be about it.
I'm really happy I found a place with such knowledgable people. Any feedback you have is much appreciated.
ThanksAmmonia
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
that brownish film can come from a variety of sources - your top off water (if it is not RO/DI water then switch to it ASAP).
Your water flow - inch it up
Over feeding (which you definetly do). I only feed my one clown every few days ....
1. Run some carbon in a HOB filter
2. Scrap the glass and get that stuff off the sides
3. Do a small water change with SW mix that uses RO/DI as make-up water.
4. Feed every 4 days until the brownish stuff goes away. Fish often times go for a week or more without food .... with the exception of a handful of fish - but your typical reef style fish can go without....
 
jhenson

jhenson

Member
I am using RODI water.
By fish are a flame hawk and a Royal Gramma. I'll try reducing feeding to see if that helps.
Thanks
 
jhenson

jhenson

Member
Should I still be putting in stuff for the corals to eat on a daily basis or only every couple of days on that stuff also?
 
nudibranch

nudibranch

Member
Until you have fixed the algae problem I would hold back on feeding your corals. I'd also try retesting your nitrates w/ a different kit. Many LFS will test water. I'm just surprised you have 0 nitrates and that kind of algae problem esp if your feeding as much as it sounds like. Also start w/ the water changes overanalyzer recommended asap. Make sure your using RODI.
 
jhenson

jhenson

Member
Thanks. Either you guys really know what your talking about OR you came in and made levels change. I'm assuming the first is correct.
My nitrites are a little high (.1ppm) now and b/c of the test I use I can't get an accurate reading of my Nitrates. I really need to switch to Seafert.
I will cut down the feedings to every 2 or 3 days depending on fish demeanor. Hope this won't make my shrimp and crabs get agressive. I have also limited the lighting to about 5 hrs for now. Water changes started yesterday and will continue everyday until down.
I'll post again after the holiday - hopefully with good news. If anyone else has any suggestions in the meantime please Post Away. :happyfish
 
jhenson

jhenson

Member
Levels have now been steady for 5 days. Every things looking great.
I do have a small spot of cyano starting directly below my current pump but I'm pretty sure I know what that is from. I'm adding another small pump (70 gl / hr) in my tank today on the opposite side of my current pump to create better flow. We'll see what happens.
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member

Originally posted by Jhenson
Levels have now been steady for 5 days. Every things looking great.
I do have a small spot of cyano starting directly below my current pump but I'm pretty sure I know what that is from. I'm adding another small pump (70 gl / hr) in my tank today on the opposite side of my current pump to create better flow. We'll see what happens.
sounds good - with the water movement you should break up that last little patch!! Congrats!
 
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