Hello from Mauritius

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[kingranch2003]

 

[Hannah_L]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
During the first year it is totally normal to have different algae phases and unstable water parameters, so I wouldn't worry about the ups and downs ;)
It should get better over time :)

Thanks :)
Still trying to get my sand bed to be clean, keeps growing red cyano and hair aglae...which is a general problem but the sand annoys me as it makes the tank look "messy"

Do you have any recommendations for fighting either?

 

[Hannah_L]

Welcome home to R2R! Please keep us updated on the progress of your tank! You are off to a great start.

Will do :)

I've started a build thread, somewhat back dated but will keep it updated as I go.

 

[EnterName]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
During the first year it is totally normal to have different algae phases and unstable water parameters, so I wouldn't worry about the ups and downs ;)
It should get better over time :)

Thanks :)
Still trying to get my sand bed to be clean, keeps growing red cyano and hair aglae...which is a general problem but the sand annoys me as it makes the tank look "messy"

Do you have any recommendations for fighting either?

Cyano + Hair algae is usually a sign of too much nitrogen, phosphorus, and possibly dissolved organic carbon in the water.

I recommend:
- Water changes (siphon out the cyano slime while you are at it),
- manual removal of the hair algae if possible,
- less and targeted fish feeding
- no coral food
- no amino acid solutions
- improved water flow (you can pump 30-40x the tank volume per hour through your powerheads without a problem), this helps detritus to actually end up in your skimmer
- copepods to help with breaking down detritus,
- algae refugium/scrubber.
- regular filter sock changes

A clean up crew that eats hair algae can help but this will just break down the algae and release the nutrients back into the water so removal of excessive nutrients is still required.

If phosphate levels are actually increased: Iron based phosphate adsorbers are fine (e.g. GFO = Granular Ferric Oxide), stick to the instructions, don't overdose, but you will still need to find a way to keep those levels in check without having to rely on adsorbers all the time.

 

[Hannah_L]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
During the first year it is totally normal to have different algae phases and unstable water parameters, so I wouldn't worry about the ups and downs ;)
It should get better over time :)

Thanks :)
Still trying to get my sand bed to be clean, keeps growing red cyano and hair aglae...which is a general problem but the sand annoys me as it makes the tank look "messy"

Do you have any recommendations for fighting either?

Cyano + Hair algae is usually a sign of too much nitrogen, phosphorus, and possibly dissolved organic carbon in the water.

I recommend:
- Water changes (siphon out the cyano slime while you are at it),
- manual removal of the hair algae if possible,
- less and targeted fish feeding
- no coral food
- no amino acid solutions
- improved water flow (you can pump 30-40x the tank volume per hour through your powerheads without a problem), this helps detritus to actually end up in your skimmer
- copepods to help with breaking down detritus,
- algae refugium/scrubber.
- regular filter sock changes

A clean up crew that eats hair algae can help but this will just break down the algae and release the nutrients back into the water so removal of excessive nutrients is still required.

If phosphate levels are actually increased: Iron based phosphate adsorbers are fine (e.g. GFO = Granular Ferric Oxide), stick to the instructions, don't overdose, but you will still need to find a way to keep those levels in check without having to rely on adsorbers all the time.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try some of these :)

 

[TJ42]

Thanks :)
Still trying to get my sand bed to be clean, keeps growing red cyano and hair aglae...which is a general problem but the sand annoys me as it makes the tank look "messy"

Do you have any recommendations for fighting either?

Patience and a Lawnmower Blenny did the trick for me. I still have spots here and there but it doesn't bother me. I like the natural look.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Welcome! You are probably able to snorkel to get all the fish and coral you need?

 

[Hannah_L]

Welcome! You are probably able to snorkel to get all the fish and coral you need?

Yes, I can snorkel or fish in the tide pools, the tricky bit is trying to ID what's around in terms of snails and crabs, only know a handful of what I put in the tank :)

Caught a couple of juvenile Whitetail dascyllus (2cm long) and so e sort of a juvenile sand sifting goby (3cm long) hoping they'll grow well in the tank as they are pretty hardy.

Currently tempted to catch a trio of juvenile Chromis viridis....but they're really hard to catch

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Yes, I can snorkel or fish in the tide pools, the tricky bit is trying to ID what's around in terms of snails and crabs, only know a handful of what I put in the tank :)

Caught a couple of juvenile Whitetail dascyllus (2cm long) and so e sort of a juvenile sand sifting goby (3cm long) hoping they'll grow well in the tank as they are pretty hardy.

Currently tempted to catch a trio of juvenile Chromis viridis....but they're really hard to catch

thats so cool

 

[thamnasteroid]

Welcome! LOVE your country's reefs and would love to one day dive somewhere in the WIO

 

[vetteguy53081]