I setup my first marine tank (30 gal cube w/ 40 lbs of live sand, 25 lbs of live rock, Skimmer, 2 powerheads) almost five weeks ago. I've been doing 10% water changes weekly and have kept an eye on my water quality through the whole process.
A few weeks ago I noticed that a brown/red growth was starting to take hold in the sand, rock and glass. I started with four very small damsels (I lost two along the way) and then added some hermets and turbo snails when the growth started, which seem to manage the the issue just fine.
During this process, my ammonia levels spiked, followed by nitrite. Over the last two weeks, both ammonia and nitrite are down to 0, but nitrate has moved into the 60 range. (I was feeding my fish 1/8 of a Formula One frozen cube twice a day)
My question is this. When is it safe to introduce livestock that I want to keep? Do I have to make sure my Nitrate is contained before doing so? Is the best way to control nitrate more frequent water changes? perhaps twice a week until it's under control? Should I reduce feeding even more?
When I start to stock my tank with other fish, is there a rule of thumb to follow for a tank so small? I had thought about adding a Ocellaris Clown, a Coral Beauty Angel and perhaps a few small Green Chromis in exchange for my existing 3-Spot Domino and Blue & Gold Damsel. Too many fish for my setup? Should I not add the Angel and start with the Clown and the Chromis?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend to a very green, but excited n00b.
-R
A few weeks ago I noticed that a brown/red growth was starting to take hold in the sand, rock and glass. I started with four very small damsels (I lost two along the way) and then added some hermets and turbo snails when the growth started, which seem to manage the the issue just fine.
During this process, my ammonia levels spiked, followed by nitrite. Over the last two weeks, both ammonia and nitrite are down to 0, but nitrate has moved into the 60 range. (I was feeding my fish 1/8 of a Formula One frozen cube twice a day)
My question is this. When is it safe to introduce livestock that I want to keep? Do I have to make sure my Nitrate is contained before doing so? Is the best way to control nitrate more frequent water changes? perhaps twice a week until it's under control? Should I reduce feeding even more?
When I start to stock my tank with other fish, is there a rule of thumb to follow for a tank so small? I had thought about adding a Ocellaris Clown, a Coral Beauty Angel and perhaps a few small Green Chromis in exchange for my existing 3-Spot Domino and Blue & Gold Damsel. Too many fish for my setup? Should I not add the Angel and start with the Clown and the Chromis?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend to a very green, but excited n00b.
-R
