Hi,
I am looking for a good path going forward for a successful reef tank. I am a new reefer, my tank is an E-170, and only about 2.5 months old now. I started with Dry rock, live sand, and Dr Tim's One and Only. Currently have 2 clown fish, and 1 starry blenny. I plan to add a wrasse of somekind, aiptasia filefish, and possibly a small tang in the future. I have gotten most of my information from the BRStv - 5 minute guide videos. I just watched Ryan's speech at the NY Reef Palooza on Biome Cycling, and thought this topic was great timing for my reef keeping journey. I realize they have not released the series yet on YouTube, but I'd like to ask a couple questions to the community.
My biggest concern is the ugly stage. My lights have been off, and plan to keep them off for the initial 4 months. Once they go on, I know that the uglies will start, but I don't really have a proactive measure in place to overcome them. Whats the best way to overcome the ugly stage?
Cyano: Is there something I can do to proactively keep this away? I have been keeping somewhat consistent maintenance with 10% water changes weekly. I feed the fish every other day, so I don't think im over feeding. If it does appear I know I could dose a product, but as Ryan mentioned in his speech I'd like to have something in place to handle it naturally with out human intervention. Is this where a product like AF Life Source, or Microbacter7 comes into play?
Green Algae: I am not too concerned about green algae, because of the utilitarian fish and keeping lights off for 4 months.
Dinos: It sounds like if you get Dinos copepods would be the best predator to counter it. Can I cultivate a copepod colony in a E170 with no refugium? Or put something in the media rack to house them if necessary?
Is dosing something like Microbacter7 a couple months before lights go on a good solution to establish the biodiversity? Or AF Life Source better?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
I am looking for a good path going forward for a successful reef tank. I am a new reefer, my tank is an E-170, and only about 2.5 months old now. I started with Dry rock, live sand, and Dr Tim's One and Only. Currently have 2 clown fish, and 1 starry blenny. I plan to add a wrasse of somekind, aiptasia filefish, and possibly a small tang in the future. I have gotten most of my information from the BRStv - 5 minute guide videos. I just watched Ryan's speech at the NY Reef Palooza on Biome Cycling, and thought this topic was great timing for my reef keeping journey. I realize they have not released the series yet on YouTube, but I'd like to ask a couple questions to the community.
My biggest concern is the ugly stage. My lights have been off, and plan to keep them off for the initial 4 months. Once they go on, I know that the uglies will start, but I don't really have a proactive measure in place to overcome them. Whats the best way to overcome the ugly stage?
Cyano: Is there something I can do to proactively keep this away? I have been keeping somewhat consistent maintenance with 10% water changes weekly. I feed the fish every other day, so I don't think im over feeding. If it does appear I know I could dose a product, but as Ryan mentioned in his speech I'd like to have something in place to handle it naturally with out human intervention. Is this where a product like AF Life Source, or Microbacter7 comes into play?
Green Algae: I am not too concerned about green algae, because of the utilitarian fish and keeping lights off for 4 months.
Dinos: It sounds like if you get Dinos copepods would be the best predator to counter it. Can I cultivate a copepod colony in a E170 with no refugium? Or put something in the media rack to house them if necessary?
Is dosing something like Microbacter7 a couple months before lights go on a good solution to establish the biodiversity? Or AF Life Source better?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.