The 75gal reef tank cycle has started!!!!!!!

[Sploke]

Regarding the halimeda, I've had it in my tank for a little over a year with no problems so far...although I didn't find out about its ability to go sexual until a few weeks ago. Its fairly slow growing compared to caulerpa, but does take up a fair amount of calcium. As far as transplanting it into your fuge, just snap off a branch and stick it in the sand, or wedge it between a few chunks of rock and it will grow. I'd go more toward chaeto for the fuge though, I believe its much more efficient at sucking up nitrates than halimeda. Unless you just want something else cool in your fuge, in that case go for it.

 

[WoodRight]

Well as it looks like today the bugs are takin over. They are now in every tank in force. They are running all over the sand, glass, rocks, and even in the sump. I spotted something shooting out of a hole and back in but to fast to see what it was. We also have some glass nems that come out only in the dark and when you shine a flash light on them they suck them selves back into a hole. One of them has a Orange center. I guess I should do the hot water thing to them. I already got rid of a few. It's cool to see things comin to life. I also did a ammonia test just to see were we are at and it has drooped from 1.0 to .75 since yesterday.

 

[WoodRight]

Regarding the halimeda, I've had it in my tank for a little over a year with no problems so far...although I didn't find out about its ability to go sexual until a few weeks ago. Its fairly slow growing compared to caulerpa, but does take up a fair amount of calcium. As far as transplanting it into your fuge, just snap off a branch and stick it in the sand, or wedge it between a few chunks of rock and it will grow. I'd go more toward chaeto for the fuge though, I believe its much more efficient at sucking up nitrates than halimeda. Unless you just want something else cool in your fuge, in that case go for it.

I think we are going to lave the halimeda and see what happens. I'm gonna wait for it to grow a bit in the tank before putting any in the fuge. We are still gonna get some Chaeto for the fuge. If that offer still stands?

 

[Sploke]

Yeah definitely...just let me know when you want it.

 

[WoodRight]

Well like I said before I'm not sure when we should put it in the fuge. Would it help to keep the blooms down by putting it in now?

 

[Subliminal]

Halimedia is best kept in the display. I don't think it's anywhere near as efficient as chaeto for absorbing nitrates and other baddies from your tank.

To keep it from going sexual, all you have to do is trim it a bit every now and again...like every few months.

It's also too purdy to put in the stand...and it might actually require a high amount of light.

It does absorb some calcium, like has been said, but I personally don't dose and all my life seems pretty darn happy. I don't have an abundance of coralline in my tank, though...but I also have an urchin who reputably loves the stuff.

 

[Sploke]

Well, as soon as you add anything to the tank that will create nitrates (cleanup crew?) then having some macro to suck it up will be advantageous.

 

[WoodRight]

Well then I guess we will be giving you a call soon then. I'm starting to see what we think are diatom algae. It's only under the regular light bulb that we are using for the moment. I was going to turn it off but the GF said that it's gonna do it anyway. I also cook the glass nems that I could see. I'm also about to do todays test.

 

[Sploke]

cool cool. If you want to come to my house to pick it up fine, if not I can bring some to work with me in west hartford and I can meet you after work or whatever.

 

[WoodRight]

Cool will let you know. I think we will be add a clean up crew in about 1 to 2 weeks buy the way things seem to be going. I guess we just have to see what the reading tell us.