High Tide Aquatics

Tank Journal : Converting Fresh water to a Saltwater Tank

Nitrites and ammonia test kits aren't needed going forward and are only really used in the initial setup of a tank. Nitrates could be tracked going forward, but I would take a look at a better test kit for that (Salifert). As for phosphates, switch it out for a Hanna ULR phosphate "egg" instead.

Looking at your progression, it doesn't look like you've been quarantining the fish. I would highly recommend that you do so for the remaining fish and consider qt'ing any future purchases. I would also recommend that you have a top over your tank with that list of fish. If you don't want to spend a ton of money, consider a DIY top, such as the one that chromis is holding a session for.
 

Been awhile since the last update.

Lost a couple of more fish - not from sickness, but possibly aggression or they were freaked out while I was learning how to setup the lights.

  • Added 2x Radion XR 15 with the diffuser. Setting the current lighting options low for now.
  • Added a second Vortech MP40, image of schedule below.
  • Stopped by the local aquarium and picked up a couple of pieces of coral today :)
 

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Skimz mbr 157 update after 1 month. Looks like the Chaeto grew on the LED light, possible that I didn't tie down the original seeding pieces good enough. Oh yeah, that O-Ring is still a pain. :)


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Skimz mbr 157 update after 1 month. Looks like the Chaeto grew on the LED light, possible that I didn't tie down the original seeding pieces good enough. Oh yeah, that O-Ring is still a pain. :)


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Do you know what your nutrient levels are and what is your lighting schedule?



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Haven't checked it today, but last week it was (see below):
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 10 ppm
Phosphates: 0

Lighting schedule is around 1-11pm at 30% intensity max. The MBR 157 is running the opposite schedule, only on at night time.
 
Algae growth:

starting to get some diatoms and green algae, not sure what type but its covering the rocks and glass.

Clean up crew:
  • ordered the reef tune up from IPSF - main reason was to get the coral algae booster :)
    • 3 Hawaiian Trocus Grazers™ (Trochus intextus)
    • 6 Hawaiian MicroTurbo
    • 6 Nerite Grazers™ (Nerita sp.)
    • 6 MicroHermits™ (Calcinus sp.)
    • 6 Hawaiian Littorinid Grazers (Littoraria sp.)
    • 25 Reef Amphipods
 
Tried to move it to get a better shot, but can't seem to find it anymore. Might have retracted, so small that I can't see it.

Put the pieces in this container for now, for observation.

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Those look like the commercial coralline algae seeding plates. If they are, I’m sure there wouldn’t be any aiptasia.

Plus I don’t see any in that photo. Aiptasia don’t create a hard tube, they are entirely soft since they are a type of anemone, and can’t retract away on a flat surface. Just get a pic with more neutral light when you can.
 
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Thanks,

Was a little worried there for a second. The plates came from an online store, used to seed Coraline algae.

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Green algae and a hitch hiking starfish.

I'm guessing green algae is a part of the cycle and will go over some time.

The hitch hiker looks like a starfish? Should I be worried?

Thanks

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