Really? That's good to know. I hardly ever purposely feed my nass snails and their population hasn't dwindled. I feel bad now. Thanks for letting me/us know.
Joel's 1st Marine Build
- Thread starter joel.uejio
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Really? That's good to know. I hardly ever purposely feed my nass snails and their population hasn't dwindled. I feel bad now. Thanks for letting me/us know.
Well, if you feed the tank/fish/corals reasonably well, there's no reason for their numbers to dwindle. Some species, like I. obsoleta, will actually start preying on sandbed infauna. It is possible that others may do this in the absence of enough food, though I can't confirm it with other species.
Tried to do a proper feeding based on these suggestions -- stopping the power heads helped, but I forgot to turn off the HOB filter I have running so still ended up with shrimp blowing all over.
As mentioned, one of the nass flew out of the ground upon sensing shrimp and had a nice meal, but the other didn't seem interested. I actually dug him up (gently) and tried to place him near the food, but he just dug in again -- hope he's ok. I also put in some algae wafers for the nerites and they went for those. Cleaner shrimp was able to snatch some mysis bits again. I'll skip feeding tomorrow, I guess and then feed again on Thursday.
My water params are still good (nh3=0, no2=0, no3=15) so I'm loosely targeting this w/e to pick up some fish. Is that too soon? Should I wait longer?
Also, what's everyone's take on QT-ing? I have a mixed experience with QT, and normally don't do it when initially setting up a tank, but wondering if I should do it for this one. Thoughts?
Thanks!
As mentioned, one of the nass flew out of the ground upon sensing shrimp and had a nice meal, but the other didn't seem interested. I actually dug him up (gently) and tried to place him near the food, but he just dug in again -- hope he's ok. I also put in some algae wafers for the nerites and they went for those. Cleaner shrimp was able to snatch some mysis bits again. I'll skip feeding tomorrow, I guess and then feed again on Thursday.
My water params are still good (nh3=0, no2=0, no3=15) so I'm loosely targeting this w/e to pick up some fish. Is that too soon? Should I wait longer?
Also, what's everyone's take on QT-ing? I have a mixed experience with QT, and normally don't do it when initially setting up a tank, but wondering if I should do it for this one. Thoughts?
Thanks!
With the added food input, see if you get any kind of readings over the week. I'd still give it a bit longer and allow everything to become established. It also wouldn't hurt to allow a thriving population of various invertebrates before you start adding something that will likely eat them.
I agree with waiting just a bit longer for the fish. See how the tank responds to the food and then make the call. I wouldn't plan on adding a lot of fish off the bat either. One would be my recommendation but two if you feel its safe.
QT is definitely something to consider. I have not QT's either of my fish. The clowns were the first in the tank. Lost the male after about 6 months but I do not feel this had anything to do with not QT'ing. I purposely did not QT my Potter's angel and all went well. If you choose not to QT do everything you can to make sure the fish you buy are healthy and eating before you add them to your tank. Acclimate them slowly via a drip line and dim the lights in the room and leave the tank lights off for most/all of the day that you add them. Bright lights are very stressful to fish.
QT is definitely something to consider. I have not QT's either of my fish. The clowns were the first in the tank. Lost the male after about 6 months but I do not feel this had anything to do with not QT'ing. I purposely did not QT my Potter's angel and all went well. If you choose not to QT do everything you can to make sure the fish you buy are healthy and eating before you add them to your tank. Acclimate them slowly via a drip line and dim the lights in the room and leave the tank lights off for most/all of the day that you add them. Bright lights are very stressful to fish.
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Update:
+ Added a Koralia nano and adjusted the other heads to try to get better all around flow -- will see how it goes
+ Params are still pretty stable at SG=1.024-1.025, NH3=0. NO2=0, NO3=15
+ Added 3 astrea snails -- don't plan to add any more inverts
+ Cleaner shrimp is doing well -- I had him give a hand-cleanin', which was kind of weird, but funny too
+ Removed the elbow return of the skimmer, so now the output flows out along the surface, which I'm hoping will eliminate the scum build-up I was getting in the sump
+ *Think* the coraline on the LR is spreading, but tough to say for sure
I've noticed a little bit of brown hairy growth on the LR -- is that algae of some kind? (I'll try to post a pic when I can)
As for the future, I'll do as suggested and hold off on any fish. I've been researching a lot about mandarins this week. I think I may start out my tank with a light, peaceful community stocking, and then down the road, once it's matured, get one.
Stay tuned for some pics!
+ Added a Koralia nano and adjusted the other heads to try to get better all around flow -- will see how it goes
+ Params are still pretty stable at SG=1.024-1.025, NH3=0. NO2=0, NO3=15
+ Added 3 astrea snails -- don't plan to add any more inverts
+ Cleaner shrimp is doing well -- I had him give a hand-cleanin', which was kind of weird, but funny too
+ Removed the elbow return of the skimmer, so now the output flows out along the surface, which I'm hoping will eliminate the scum build-up I was getting in the sump
+ *Think* the coraline on the LR is spreading, but tough to say for sure
I've noticed a little bit of brown hairy growth on the LR -- is that algae of some kind? (I'll try to post a pic when I can)
As for the future, I'll do as suggested and hold off on any fish. I've been researching a lot about mandarins this week. I think I may start out my tank with a light, peaceful community stocking, and then down the road, once it's matured, get one.
Stay tuned for some pics!
It's definitely funny when the shrimp perform manicures
I'm sure it's some type of algae. Definitely post some pics when you can. I think you will like the peaceful tank a lot.
I'm sure it's some type of algae. Definitely post some pics when you can. I think you will like the peaceful tank a lot.
Pics
Skimmer (with output tubing change I mentioned)
Left:
Right:
LR showing some nice growth I think:
The hairy stuff is pretty small and minimal, so I can't really get a good pic -- I guess it might just be stuff flaking off of the LR....?
Skimmer (with output tubing change I mentioned)
Left:
Right:
LR showing some nice growth I think:
The hairy stuff is pretty small and minimal, so I can't really get a good pic -- I guess it might just be stuff flaking off of the LR....?
