20g First SW tank

[Greg31]

Number 6.

 

[mos90]

looks like coraline algae to me.

 

[TMartinez]

I agree, looks like coralline.

also the aipatasia will spread. I had 2 in my tank then it suddenly spead to 10... I got 2 peppermint shrimp and they are all gone now. Took a few weeks but no more issues.

This site helped alot http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html

 

[Greg31]

So once tank cycles a bit more I should get some peppermint shrimp to get rid of those aipatasia?

Also thanks for that website, pretty cool.

 

[Greg31]

Should I be dosing or feeding anything to my tank right now?

 

[Heathd]

Maybe a small amount of flake or whatever else to add an ammonia source, so you can fuel the bio-cycle further. If you start doing that, I would certainly cut back on the lighting cylce.

 

[Greg31]

I am only keeping light on for about 5 hours a day.

 

[Heathd]

I am only keeping light on for about 5 hours a day.

Ok. It was really just a heads up as things can get out of hand as far as diatom and algae growth during the start up phase of a saltwater tank, just due to the swinging water qaulity and build up of nitrates and phosphates. I am honestly torn on whether to tell you to shut the lights off all together, since you have live rock with nice coraline and what not.

5 hours isnt that bad, and if you watch your nitrates/phosphates early on, you should be able to keep it to a minimum.

 

[Greg31]

Yeh. I bought a api saltwater kit and it did not come with a phosphate kit so I guess I need to get that. I am making sure the ammonia doesnt get above 1ppm and change thee water about every other day.

 

[FLESHY]

API makes decent test kits, one thing they do a terrible job of is making complete kits. Ammonia?

Who needs an ammonia test kit after a SW tank has been set up. Their "Reef" kit cant test for calcium, alk, or phosphate if I remember correctly.