New Tank Algae

preciouspoo

AC Members
Mar 6, 2005
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This is my 2nd salt tank, had to break down my first one when I moved after only a year. So... 135 gallon tank, 180 lbs cured live rock, live sand, sump, protien skimmer. I let it run for 5 weeks with no fish and no light.
Last week I added my long awaited light and two clown fish to test things out. The light is an AquaMedic 750 Watt Ocean Light MH 10,000 Kelvin. It is the most brilliant light I have ever seen (should have been for the price).

Within 3 days of adding the light and fish I went from this....
(rocks.jpg)
To this...
(algea.jpg)

So I went ahead and got: 10 Margarita Snails, 8 Nassarius Snails, 6 Astrea Snails, 1 Lettuce Caribbean Nudibranch, 1 Emerald Mythrax Crab

That's not enough huh? :confused:

I really just want to make sure that the algae that is growing is normal cycling behavior. I also don't want to overload my tank with algae eaters if this is going to clear up after the cycle. I am hoping to build up a healthy enough tank to sustain a single happy Mandarin Goby eventually.

Your advice please? :bowing:

Rocks.JPG algea.JPG
 
I'd add more live rock--maybe try getting some of the decorator pieces that will introduce more diversity. An established 135, with ~200+ pounds of rock and no competing pod predators will support a mandarin. I'd give it a few more months, and help the situation by putting some 'pod piles--little piles of small rocks--in the back to support more pod reproduction. More cleaners, as well--you could double the snails and then some. I have about 20 astrea, uncounted nassarius and cerith in my 120 reef, and may add a few more astrea. The smaller snails are effective on the sand and rock, but don't do much on the glass.
 
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