New set up

[keperman01]

alright, well i have had my tank set up for about 3 months, i have a 44 gallon hexagon tank. I have 2 clown, 2 damsels, 1 anenome, 1 shirmp, 1 chocolate star, 1 crab, and 1 snail. Well i am looking for somthing to spice it up a little bit for a small cost. ( low on the cash) i also have an algae problem which about 3 days without moving the sand around , the bottom turns a soild grassy green. Is that normal? or every day do i need to shuffle it around. if anyone has any tips please let me know, I am also looking for a lid for it ( currently plexi glass )
thanks~!

 

[bdhough]

Its normal. Does it disappear if you stir up the sand or is it stringy? It looks like you need either cerith snails or nassarius snail to dig in your sand keep it stired up. Your water nutrients are also related to algae problems. Test for nitrates and phosphates. If you get snails get 4 or 5 of each.... More hermits will also scoure the sand and keep things stired up as well....

 

[dreeves]

Check your water chemisty...phosphates and nitrates...keep them as low as possible.
Use RO/DI water if you already dont.
Cleanup crew if you dont have one.

 

[beaslbob]

Green algae is extremely normal for 3-4 month old tanks. If you want to spice it up and take care of the algae then add desirable plant life. It will starve out the green algae by consuming the phosphates, ammonia and nitrates. You may want to protect the plant life by culturing it in another container or setting up a refugium. Seems that the critters in our tanks like a salad every now and then. As far as cost goes, perhaps locals are throwing away plants each month and could give you some. Can't beat free.