larryag59

Wow, thanks, for the help!

Can anyone identify this hard growth on the back wall of my Biocube 14 saltwater tank, as well as advise what, if anything needs to be done about it? Thank you! Larry

If anyone is able to ID this algae growing in a few clumps in my tank and let me know whether or not it is beneficial, it would be greatly appreciated. I have a 14g BioCube tank with probably 10g or less of actual water after accounting for rock. Parameters have been reading withing acceptable levels. Using ROI water. Thank you, Larry Now nearly a year with my first effort at a saltwater tank

Not sand, live aragonite

Yes

Finally got a nitrate reading last night for the first time. Started the tank December 20 with live sand (aragonite) and a damsel, 14 g Biocube with < 10 g actual water. Finally stuck in a piece of live rock on Thursday (today is Sunday) and got a nitrate reading of 5.0 last night. This seems to tell me that cycling is happening, since the previous nitrate reading was zero. Here is a readings review including last night: 12/31/16 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.25 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM 01/07/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM Latest readings: 01/17/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM 01/22/17 PH: 7.8 (down from previous reading-too low?) Ammonia: 0.25 PPM (down from previous reading) Nitrites: 0 PPM (no change) Nitrates: 5 PPM (increase from previous reading) Please comment with advice or recommendations for next steps. Thank you, Larryag59

When I was at my LFS in Glen Burnie (where I got the damsel) my concerns about what to do with the fish once the tank was cycled, he told me I they would take it back for exchange, which was a relief. By the way, I finally bought a piece of live rock and put it in my tank. So many people suggested it that it seemed like a good idea.

I just bit the bullet and went to Glen Burnie to pick up a piece. After so many suggestions to get some I wanted to get it done and did. Just put it in my tank a little while ago. By the way, I am planning on being out of town and won't be able to feed the fish (one damsel) for 2-3 days. Any suggestions?

Thanks...

Yes, I am using API for testing, And I like your idea of testing on fresh salt water as a control. I think I'll dose some bacteria in the tank to help reduce the ammonia level and reduce stress on the fish. I wish now I had used another method other than introducing a fish to get the cycling started, but that was suggested to me at the time I was getting what I needed to set up the tank. By the way, is there a way by observing the fish to tell that he is being stressed?

Nart, how did you know when that your cycling was completed? What did you look for?

Do I need to do anything about it? I notice some of it is on the glass. I was concerned it might be algae instead. Do diatoms appear on the glass as well?

Review of tank specs: 14g Biocube, < 10g actual water after rocks/sand CaribSea live aragonite used as bacteria starter One damsel from the beginning to provide "food" for bacteria New: dosed tank one week ago with bottled bacteria (TLC for Saltwater Aquariums) 12/31/16 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.25 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM 01/07/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM Latest readings: 01/17/17 PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.5 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM Please comment. The guy in the LFS said that the nitrate reading is the most important in cycling, and that cycying is done when my nitrates are at zero, but they have always been at zero....at least that's what I think he said...comments requested and welcome!

My LFS is over 1/2 hour away, so going back for a piece of rock is not tempting. I might try to get a piece from someone I met while looking to be a used tank a while back. Hoping that the bacteria works in the meanwhile.

Yes, it does look like that