Newbie - Advise needed

[damigs]

Hello everyone.  This is the first time I have posted after several weeks of reading thru pages and gathering info.   I currently have the following which is 7 weeks steady now.
 
54 Gallon Corner
2 x 65w Power Compact
Ecosystem refugium w/ Calearpa in Miracle mud
50 lbs live rock
Live Sand
2 plate corals
1 bubble coral
2 LPS corals
6 small Chromies
3 small Ocellaris Clowns
 
I just did my first 5% water change Monday as I was getting hit hard with Diatoms.  Since then my sand is alot cleaner but rocks still show alot of brown algea.   My trates/trites = 0, Calcium is 450 ppm, PH is around 8.3 - 8.4 and AK is in the normal range.
 
My question is basically what next??  I wanted to get advise on what fish I could mingle with and get along well with what I have listed and thats pretty hardy.  Also if you were in my position what would you do as your next step.  Advise is truely appreciated as I take pride in my new hobby.
 
Thanks!
 
Miguel

[newtofish]

Do you have a clean-up crew in there? If not that is where I would go!

[damigs]

Do you have a clean-up crew in there? If not that is where I would go!

Good thing you mentioned that.. I have a few red legged hermies and some snails. When do you recommend shrimps or other inverts? Should I get more crabs as I may have maybe 6 or so in there.

[gman0526]

Welcome to CF!!! In all honesty I would hold off on adding anything else to your tank at this time. You have a couple of fish that are prone to become territorial and will more than likely pester anything about their size or smaller to death. IMO let the tank settle for a little longer, maybe a couple of months and then according to how things look add a fish then.

[damigs]

This is great advise thanks.. Would you suggest adding cleaner shrimp and/or more crabs as I currently only have about 5 or 6.

[kahunakatz]

I would suggest removing one of the Percula clowns. They normally form a pair that can be very hostile to any other clown fish.

Young systems are trying to develop an ecological equilibrium, which means that algae CAN run rampant so watch your nurient levels. Don't overfeed and try to use purifed water.

I tottaly agree with George about adding fish, Don't. You will be happier in the long run giving your tank time to let the system equalize without fish. The slower you go the better, but if you add anything make it inverts.

As far as your refugium goes, you may want to do it on reverse daylight so that the pH and oxygen levels are more consitant through out the day. Also brillowpad algae, chaetomorpha is a better macro algae than caulerpa.

Best of Luck and keep us posted,
Barry Katz
customerservice@kahunacorals.com

[damigs]

The fish I currently have are very small.. In fact not one is larger than 1 inch in length. I understand and get the fact of going slow which I will. I have a thing for Corals mostly but dont want to overload my tank and suffer. I will slow up on everything for now and enjoy.

As for brillowpad algae, chaetomorpha will it have to have the light on it 24/7? With the Caulerpa they need lights on all the time and would prefer another option with similar results.

"you may want to do it on reverse daylight so that the pH and oxygen levels are more consitant through out the day." Dont quite understand you on this? Sorry dont flame me.. Im a newbie.. lol

[FishinInTheDark]

Plants and animals respire all the time: intake oxygen from the water and release carbon dioxide. This happens all the time, day and night. Photosynthetic animals/plants/algae also use light to help build energy (photosynthesis). This involves uptake of carbon dioxide from the water and release of oxygen. This only happens when light is available, therefore, during the day.

That leaves night time for carbon dioxide to be released and not reused. Carbon dioxide is acidic, so as it builds up, pH can slip. To combat this, we trick our systems by lighting our refugiums and making the macroalgae behave in the night as our corals do during the day.

Clear as mud?

[FishinInTheDark]

Oh, and cheato does not go sexual as does caulerpa. It does not need 24/7 lighting to combat this.

[damigs]

Here are some pics of my tank. Notice all the brown algea. Kinda makes tank look yellowish/brown always

[FishinInTheDark]

Your tank looks very nice!

That diatom bloom should subside as the tank ages. Look for it to be gone somewhere around the four month mark. A positive side of diatoms is that copepods love them. It will help your microfauna popluation grow.

[damigs]

Thanks!!! If you only see it in person.. That pretty white sand is BROWN!

So this is good? Im very anal when it comes to this as this hobby has changed me to be a perfectionist of some sort. lol :)

My sump light is on 24/7 for the caulerpa... should I leave this alone or should I turn lights off from time to time and/or change caulerpa to something else thats less light intense... whats yalls take?

[FishinInTheDark]

I use caulerpa and chaeto. Different algaes use different nutrients, so a variety is good. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get some chaetomorpha, because caulerpa will most likely become illegal altogether. That way you have a backup.

[damigs]

I use caulerpa and chaeto. Different algaes use different nutrients, so a variety is good. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get some chaetomorpha, because caulerpa will most likely become illegal altogether. That way you have a backup.

illegal..!! How so? Will I have to remove it someday your saying? With the Chaet whats a good amount of lighting (time wise)?

[FishinInTheDark]

A twelve-hour reverse lighting cycle will be fine for chaeto.

Here's a link that ends with my journey to discover caulerpa and the federal government. http://www.coralforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2404

[gman0526]

The tank looks really good :D I really like the aquascape. The rock and sand are just releasing nutrients while they settle, it will eventually subside. Other than an eyesore nothing bad will come out of it. Do not go and add any chemicals to remove it let it run it's natural course. :wink:

[damigs]

Thanks.. this is comforting to know. I shall let things ride out. Should I cut back on the lightings thou? Would u recommend leaving the whites off for a few days to help starve the brown stuff?

[gman0526]

Naw, just let it ride out naturally and let them consume as much nutrients from the tank as possible.

[damigs]

Whats a good skimmer for the $$..
Also due to me having a corner tank I will most likely have to move tank forward or slightly away from the wall to fit the HOB skimmer correct? Whats the best way to move this tank if its sitting on carpet.

Also from the pic above could I fit a sump skimmer or is that out of the question?

[gman0526]

I would take as much water out as possible and then move it, you don't want any stress on the glass and stand due to it being full of SW (8pds/gal) and LR. I'm not a big fan of HOB skimmers but BAkPAks and Remoreas are among the favorites and they have the added benefit of having a low profile.

[damigs]

Got a question to ask you guys. Since posting I have done another water change (Last Monday 12/26) and even thou brown algea has stayed the same I now notice today especially that the water is cloudy. I have checked water parameters and all except for Phosphates are fine. Phoshates are 0.5ppm which is kinda high. Overall I have only added phosban to lower phosphate levels but it seems water is getting cloudier and it has a nasty smell to it. Corals and fish seem fine and healthy thus far but would appreciate help or info as to what this is. Is this normal??

[Sugar Magnolia]

Are you running any carbon? If not, add some to your mechanical filter. If you are, change it out for some fresh carbon to see if that helps clear the water.

[damigs]

I have added carbon yesterday and today the tank is 50% better as far as clearity. Its not crystal clear but better. How long should I keep carbon bag in refugium for?

[damigs]

Here are some updated pics as my tank has turned 5 months old now. Its been excellent thus far. Fish and corals are doing great

[FishinInTheDark]

Looking very pretty!

[segen77]

looking good!

[gman0526]

I agree, looks very nice and we can see the corals are doing good. :wink:

[coral_diver]

nice I have a corner bow also they are so interesting looking I think I like how you did your rockwork!

[specsgirl]

wow! Nice looking tank. It's nice to see that you had the patience to make it through your cycle and diatom bloom. The rewards are great!