CR Member
You're actually still cycling, which would explain a lot of the problems you're having. Look for that nitrite level to zero out and the nitrates to start to rise. The cycle is very hard on stony corals and anemones so lets hope your sebae makes it through!
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"You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"
Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.
---ETBReefer05
Thanks for the tip ETBReefer05 and everyone else.Originally Posted by ETBReefer05
So I guess that the move from LFS to my house started everything over again.
Because on 8/17 my nitrates were at 20 and have slowly fallen to zero.
Is it worthwhile to buy a phosphate test kit? or just have LFS do it for me. They charge $2.00
CR Member
Re: So we took the plunge
I guess my only problem with testing for phosphates is that there is no easy way for a hobbyist to reliably test them in a home or even LFS environment. Boxed testing kits can be thrown off by pretty much any contaminates in the water. Including salt (I hope that's in your water) nitrates nitrites ammonia. The last three contaminates I mentioned all react reliably to those color changing reagent tests they sell at every lfs, but you need lab grade equipment to test phosphates. I would say the best way to test for phosphates is to watch for hair or carpet algae, and cyanobacteria. Keeping magnesium high also stops phosphates from binding and lets your protein skimmer or water changes remove them. I've seen high mag treatments kill algae in a matter of days. Just my .02.
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"You're gonna need a bigger boat..."-Roy Scheider as "Chief Brody" in "Jaws"
Ask 10 Reefers a question and you'll get 12 opinions in return.
---ETBReefer05
So now we have been reefers for 3 months.
Lots of learning,tank ups and downs and evenings watching our little drop of ocean.
First, thanks to reefers everywhere for your advice and help.
I am realizing this hobby is not just about the tanks, but also about helping others become successful and sharing hard earned knowledge.
I hope to return the favor someday.
With a bit experience, I no longer worry about every little thing that goes on.
I pay attention, but don't freak out. I just go read about what I am observing and take appropriate action.
I now have 4 LFS that I visit regularly. All have different philosophies, but all strive to make the hobby enjoyable.
Lots of changes.
Sadly, the linkia starfish died, as you all predicted.
But my better half learned to not be quite so impulsive, and listen to me once in a while ( at least in the LFS! )
That big hermit crab died one nite in a QT ( timeout for wrecking the aquascape again ). Never did find out why.
However, his shell and the Calliactis polypus symbiotes are thriving!
The big Amplexidiscus fenestrafer had to go.
He ate 2 more fish, a debelius lobster, and attempted murder on our fire shrimp.
Traded him for a nice 6-line wrasse and a frogspawn polyp.
I discovered I can keep acans, and I am addicted! Loving ricordeas and rhodactis mushrooms too!
The tank parameters are settled in, some coraline is starting to grow, and the tank is out of infancy and into toddlerhood!
Current Livestock
Cabbage Leather Coral
Candy Cane Coral
Orange Sun Coral
Blue Sympodium
Neon Carpet Corals
Frogspawn
Green Star Polyps
Yellow Polyps
Ricordea and Rhodactis Mushrooms
Pulsing Xenias
Acan Lord
Acan Echinata
Pipe organ Coral
Zoas
Palys
Orange Tree Sponge
Debelius Reef Lobster
Fire Shrimp
Yellow Cucumber
Yellow Tail Damsel
Fiji Devil Damsel
Barberi / Tomato Clownfish
Small Yellow Tang (I know! But she is headed for the 110 that is under construction)
Some current pix
MizTanks liked this post
So we took the plunge
Looks like you can grow more then just AcansTank looks wonderful!
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