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

Seeing a brown substance starting to coat part of my aragonite substrate. Tank is only about three weeks old, still cycling. Started out with live aragonite, no live rock, one damsel. What is the brown substance?

Went to my LFS and got some bacteria and dosed the tank. Was also advised not to do a water change yet, as this would slow down the cycling process. On a different note, I noticed the first physical change in the tank since starting it - some of the white aragonite has turned brownish. Is this algae?

Did my first water test on 12/31/16 after 10 days of cycling using live arragonite, sea water (purchased) and one damsel No live rock. Here are the readings, to the best of my judgment, using color-coded testing kit. Tank is 14g BioCube (about 10g actual water after rock & sand). Please comment after latest test, dated 01/07/17: 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

I bought what I believe was called "shelf rock", not live rock, but was told that the live sand was recently delivered, and should supply the needed bacteria. There is really no room to add more rock, unless a small piece of live rock would make a difference?

The substrate is aragonnite, and I was assured that it was a very recent delivery that should prove to be live. And as you said, I did not rinse it off. Should particles be expected in aragonnite as well? And is it still a good idea to get a piece of live rock?

Question # 1: Did my first water test after 10 days of cycling using live sand, sea water (purchased) and one damsel No live rock. Here are the readings, to the best of my judgment, using color-coded testing kit. Tank is 14g Biocube (about 10g actual water after rock & sand). Please comment: PH: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.25 PPM Nitrites: 0 PPM Nitrates: 0 PPM Question #2: Am seeing what looks like "dust pariticles" infesting the otherwise clear water. They look like the dust particles you see dancing in a shaft of light. These particles are not visible under LED light. Any signifcance? Please add any other comments that might be helpful. Not sure what, if anything I should be doing at this point. Thanks!

My small tank has been cycling for about a week. I started with purchased seawater, but now evaporation has set in and my RODI unit has not yet arrived. Adding more seawater will raise the salinity level, so that's probably not a good idea. I only need 2-3 gallons, as it's a small tank. Any suggestions of what to use in a pinch or other wise how to resolve? Perhaps distilled water from the drugstore with conditioner added? Advice much appreciated Larryag59

These answers have been very helpful. I am still finding my way in this new experience, and am glad to have found such useful info right away. Larry

Just graduated to saltwater from freshwater. Am starting small, and have a low budget. I have a BioCube 14 gallon, and am starting with a fish-only tank, although I would love to add coral at some point. Filled the tank two days ago with Nutri-Seawater and CaribSea Arag-Alive. Got a damsel to start the cycling process. Will need to to a water change and/or add water due to evaporation, and assume that I need to get an RO/DI unit sometime soon. Questions: 1) Is an RO/DI unit recommended, or will just an RO alone do? 2) Saw a recommendation for a used SpectraLife 5-stage for about $180 from the SpectraLife site. Is buying used a good idea? I'd like to keep my purchas price to under $150 if possible, but this seemed like it might be worth busting my budget for. 3) Since my tank is only 14 gallons (it actually took only about 9 gallons of the Nutri-Seawater - I guess my shelf rock and substrate displaced the rest) maybe I can "get away" with a cheaper solution? 4) Recommendations for specific brands and number of stages I need would be appreciated, keeping in mind my budget. I look forward to getting involved in this hobby, as this has been a lifelong fascination of mind. All help provided is appreciated. Larryag