Oh, what a day makes in the life of a cycling nanotank!!!!!

[aquaman]

I started cycling a 12 gallon on the 26th of December. I started with 10 pounds of ls and 10lbs of lr. I mixed my own salt water. I have performed water tests every other day. All seems normal. The tank has had a major brownish algae bloom on the rocks and also on the sand. This has occurred in the last 12 to 24 hours. The lights are left on for 10 to 12 hours. The results of the last water tests are as follows:
1. calcium 420
2. carbonate hardness 143.2
3. phosphate between 0 and .25 (tough to match the color to the chart)
4. nitrate 0
5. nitrite 0
6. salt 1.022
7. temp 78
Would this be considered part of a normal cycle or a possible issue? Also I do not plan on adding any fish or corals for a few months. However I would like to add a clean up crew. When can I add a cleanup crew? Also does any one have a suggestion on what the cleanup should consist of? My long term plans for this tank is a clown and a sea anemone.

 

[Trogdor]

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Don't worry too much about your algae bloom. Diatoms are typical of a fresh cycle and will go away with time. You can keep your lights off until you get your clean-up crew. It will only feed your algae bloom. Other than that I would just wait 1-3 days before adding the crew to be sure that your tank is stable. Do you have a planned crew that your adding?

 

[aquaman]

I have not picked out a crew just yet? Any suggestions? I just changed a gallon of the water. While doing this I found another creature! It is amazing what comes in on just the live rock. If I have properly id them, I have found a feather duster, a porcelain crab, a large (quarter size) mushroom anemone and a small one under the larger, a cluster of 5 zoas, and a clear transparent tube like creature with tentacles? Not sure what that is?

 

[Jennie]

Aquaman, check your amonia level, if you just started the cycle on the 26th then the amonia might just now be spiking.

I wouldn't add anything to the tank just yet, and the diaton bloom is normal.

 

[dancefish]

congratulations :mrgreen: sounds as though you are on your way to a good tank start dont you just love the fact you can get anything as a hitchhicker :cool1: enjoy them cant wait till I receive my rock order is for 40# lalo lr fro drsf&s
cant wait to see what hitches a ride on that
well best of luck to you & your tank

 

[aquaman]

Will do, the API test kit I have did not come with an ammonia test, do you know if I can use the ammonia tester from the API freshwater test kit?

 

[Jennie]

No Ammonia???

Which test kit do you have specifically?

 

[Tony]

It sounds like the only bad thing you have is the Clear tentacle thing. it is probabaly an Aiptasia. Get some Joes Juice and follw the instructions carefully. It does a good job. Here are a couple of links that I got from other people that are great for sourcing and researching stuff. you are going to notice soemthing new in the tank all the time. Ive got two tanks now and im still spending an hour a day staring at the new stuff in there.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scat ... CatId=2124

http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=G ... &g2_page=1

Tony

 

[aquaman]

congratulations :mrgreen: sounds as though you are on your way to a good tank start dont you just love the fact you can get anything as a hitchhicker :cool1: enjoy them cant wait till I receive my rock order is for 40# lalo lr fro drsf&s
cant wait to see what hitches a ride on that
well best of luck to you & your tank

The amazing thing is that the rock just comes alive. This can and is becoming addictive just a week into, already thinking about the empty 29 gallon tank I have in storage!!!!!
Good luck to you on your tank as well

 

[Jennie]

Awh I think I found it, the API Reef Master Test Kit.

An ammonia test kit should be among your other test kits. A few days into your cycle you should be picking up an ammonia reading about now.

 

[aquaman]

No Ammonia???

Which test kit do you have specifically?

The kit I have is API's Reef Master Kit it tests for Calccium,Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate, and Nitrate. In my freshwater test kit I am able to use the High Range PH test, however it does not say that I can use the ammonia for saltwater.

 

[aquaman]

It sounds like the only bad thing you have is the Clear tentacle thing. it is probabaly an Aiptasia. Get some Joes Juice and follw the instructions carefully. It does a good job. Here are a couple of links that I got from other people that are great for sourcing and researching stuff. you are going to notice soemthing new in the tank all the time. Ive got two tanks now and im still spending an hour a day staring at the new stuff in there.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scat ... CatId=2124

http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=G ... &g2_page=1

Tony

Thanks for the info, I will look over the links you have suggested.

 

[Tony]

Im not sure where you live but here is also a good link to buy stuff in British Columbia. Compared to retail in Toronto, they are quite good.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/stor ... inpage.php

Should have included that one before.
TOny

 

[aquaman]

Im not sure where you live but here is also a good link to buy stuff in British Columbia. Compared to retail in Toronto, they are quite good.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/stor ... inpage.php

Should have included that one before.
TOny

I live in Northern Cal

 

[Tony]

I believe they ship everywhere. Hope it helps.

 

[Trogdor]

Unless the package clearly states that it can be used for saltwater, I would look at getting a new ammonia test kit.