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[dub125]

So I've been posting a lot about my toadstool recently because he's not in good shape. I have an algae problem which I've started treating it with h202 because I've been told is cyano. Today I just added a new pump to increases flow, as well as chemipure elite. My candy cane appears to be doing well but I'm not sure how to tell if it's doing bad. I just need some overall aquarium advice from you guys, my tank is only 3 weeks old, but I started it with all live rock and sand, and biospira. Here are my water Params:
calcium:400
alkalinity dkh: 10, gh 179
mag: 1260
Nitrite and ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 3.0

I have these chemicals as well but don't know when to use them.

Here are pictures of my aquarium

 

[CodyRVA]

I think you jumped the gun on coral, your tank has not matured. Both corals are closed up. From your parameters, your MG is a bit on the low side, but my guess is stability. How often are you testing your water and what kits are you using? I see 1 hermit in the one pic, do you have any other cleaners CUC: clean up crew? Are you doing water changes and if so how much and how often?

 

[dub125]

I think you jumped the gun on coral, your tank has not matured. Both corals are closed up. From your parameters, your MG is a bit on the low side, but my guess is stability. How often are you testing your water and what kits are you using? I see 1 hermit in the one pic, do you have any other cleaners CUC: clean up crew? Are you doing water changes and if so how much and how often?

I have been using api test kits and the salifert magnesium test kit. I have a peppermint shrimp and 2 hermit crabs. I have been doing weekly 20% water changes.

 

[CodyRVA]

I have been using api test kits and the salifert magnesium test kit. I have a peppermint shrimp and 2 hermit crabs. I have been doing weekly 20% water changes.

My guess is your parameters are swinging, because your tank isn't ready for coral. You have no coralline algae, or very little. How often are you testing? Can you share your parameters from day to day testing? You need to get some snails to help clean up your tank.

 

[dub125]

My guess is your parameters are swinging, because your tank isn't ready for coral. You have no coralline algae, or very little. How often are you testing? Can you share your parameters from day to day testing? You need to get some snails to help clean up your tank.

Ok, should I use any of those supplements?

 

[Frop]

So I've been posting a lot about my toadstool recently because he's not in good shape. I have an algae problem which I've started treating it with h202 because I've been told is cyano. Today I just added a new pump to increases flow, as well as chemipure elite. My candy cane appears to be doing well but I'm not sure how to tell if it's doing bad. I just need some overall aquarium advice from you guys, my tank is only 3 weeks old, but I started it with all live rock and sand, and biospira. Here are my water Params:
calcium:400
alkalinity dkh: 10, gh 179
mag: 1260
Nitrite and ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 3.0

I have these chemicals as well but don't know when to use them.

Here are pictures of my aquarium

3 weeks does seem on the quick side.

• Did you use RODI water?
• How long do you run your lights?

If it were me I'd dose small amounts of calcium and magnesium maybe for a couple days. Magnesium is suppose to also help prevent algae at higher levels.

 

[CodyRVA]

+1 on RODI. I would personally not use any of that right now, your parameters aren't that far off. Dosing will just add another element to the puzzle and possibly complicate things more. Try and nail down the simple stuff, then debate dosing. Your tank is far to young to need dosing, IMO.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Welcome back. I would halt on additions for a bit until parameters become stable and constant, but we've already touched on that. The mag is a little low which raising will help control algae along with good routine maintenance and tank husbandry. It'll take a little while, but you'll be able to read your tank and know what a test will or should be before you even test. What kits are you using to test at this point? Your NO3 is good, alk a little high for my liking (I run 7 but I also have very low nutrients so that may just be my tank vs yours. Different tank, different needs), cal is spot on. What's salinity?
Candy canes can bounce back pretty well, but noticing in the pic the powerhead pointing directly at them providing what I assume is high laminar flow, they may not do well. I keep mine in the lower portion of flow directly under my gyre and they've flourished so far.
Amino Acids, will be like pouring gas on a fire with cyano. Not too much there to benefit from it at this point with the low stock. They may be good for lower nutrient systems with limited or negligible nutrirns in the system for coral to feed on. For what you have at the moment just try to maintain that NO3 reading you have and let the fish poop feed the coral. You could pop an lps pellet in the candy canes mouth once in a while once they look to be coming back if like.
Stick with the manual removal as often as you can with what cyano is there and dose the h202 at 12hr intervals into high flow area. (Before continue, how long have you been dosing and sticking to that regiment?)
Your tank is still a baby at the moment and will take a little nursing to get what you want out of it, but given the right hands on love and taking things slow, it will get where you want it to be. Just take baby steps, don't change anything too fast, and don't get frustrated. Slow n steady.

 

[dub125]

Welcome back. I would halt on additions for a bit until parameters become stable and constant, but we've already touched on that. The mag is a little low which raising will help control algae along with good routine maintenance and tank husbandry. It'll take a little while, but you'll be able to read your tank and know what a test will or should be before you even test. What kits are you using to test at this point? Your NO3 is good, alk a little high for my liking (I run 7 but I also have very low nutrients so that may just be my tank vs yours. Different tank, different needs), cal is spot on. What's salinity?
Candy canes can bounce back pretty well, but noticing in the pic the powerhead pointing directly at them providing what I assume is high laminar flow, they may not do well. I keep mine in the lower portion of flow directly under my gyre and they've flourished so far.
Amino Acids, will be like pouring gas on a fire with cyano. Not too much there to benefit from it at this point with the low stock. They may be good for lower nutrient systems with limited or negligible nutrirns in the system for coral to feed on. For what you have at the moment just try to maintain that NO3 reading you have and let the fish poop feed the coral. You could pop an lps pellet in the candy canes mouth once in a while once they look to be coming back if like.
Stick with the manual removal as often as you can with what cyano is there and dose the h202 at 12hr intervals into high flow area. (Before continue, how long have you been dosing and sticking to that regiment?)
Your tank is still a baby at the moment and will take a little nursing to get what you want out of it, but given the right hands on love and taking things slow, it will get where you want it to be. Just take baby steps, don't change anything too fast, and don't get frustrated. Slow n steady.

I just cleaned the rock off again. Ivery only done one dose of 1ml since my tank is 13 gallons. My toadstool isn't dead is it? I touched it and it still feels leathery.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I definitely wouldn't call it a goner by any means. It's more than likely irritated with the slime and/or from the new transition. Mine goes dormant every so often then pops back bright and bigger than before. I had it hide for almost a month not too long ago. Just keep parameters stable and it should come around.

 

[dub125]

I definitely wouldn't call it a goner by any means. It's more than likely irritated with the slime and/or from the new transition. Mine goes dormant every so often then pops back bright and bigger than before. I had it hide for almost a month not too long ago. Just keep parameters stable and it should come around.

Ok, thanks! So just keep adding the h202 every 12 hours?

 

[Frop]

I just cleaned the rock off again. Ivery only done one dose of 1ml since my tank is 13 gallons. My toadstool isn't dead is it? I touched it and it still feels leathery.

Usually clean the rocks then change the water right after that junk is all floating around. Try to prevent it from seeding.

 

[dub125]

Just an update, I've continued to dose 1ml of h202 twice a day, still having algae growth especially on my toadstool. My Params are the same, just been getting a lot of this stringy algae.

 

[CodyRVA]

Just my two cents here, but taking into consideration your tank isn't even a month old, you should not be dosing h202. This is a new tank, it is not established therefore it is not ready for coral. Your tank needs to mature, that's it; it needs time to do its thing. My advice... remove the coral, stop dosing, continue water changes with a quality source (RODI), buy a clean up crew (SNAILS!) and give it more time, time, time! :eek:

 

[dub125]

Just my two cents here, but taking into consideration your tank isn't even a month old, you should not be dosing h202. This is a new tank, it is not established therefore it is not ready for coral. Your tank needs to mature, that's it; it needs time to do its thing. My advice... remove the coral, stop dosing, continue water changes with a quality source (RODI), buy a clean up crew (SNAILS!) and give it more time, time, time! :eek:

I just don't know where exactly I would put the coral if I were to remove it. The candy cane seems fine.

 

[CodyRVA]

I would take them back to the store or give them to someone to hold until your system is ready. The candy cane does not look overly happy IMO, flesh looks receded, but could be the pic/time of day it was taken.