In need of some reassurance.

tyro

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Hey all.

Relatively new to saltwater. I purchased a used 34gal aio just over 2 weeks ago.It had green hair algae pretty bad. I scrubbed it off the 2 largest rocks. The tank came with and still has a domino damsel, a clown, 5 snails, 1 emerald crab, 2 coral frags, and an anemone.

I've been testing the water and had some great help in the new forum. With all the testing I keep seeing ammonia mostly very little nitrates 5 or less. The more I dive into the forums the more I'm seeing I can't trust the version of the test I have.

I don't think I did anything that would have completely crashed the tank. The inhabitants for the most part look healthy to me. I'd love a second set of eyes to look at these pics and tell me if things look good or bad or on the way. My nem has been on the move the last 3 or so days and that just makes me worry. The palyzoa looks like it's got a bud starting. The mushrooms all open pretty big. The emerald crab seems very nocturnal. Hides a lot.

I'd also love suggestions on additions for the cuc. I think all 5 snail are trochus. I've only seen the crab cleaning sand once. Mostly just want the reassurance that I've got a cycled tank not a crashing one and API ammonia test is not accurate.

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sunken3

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if you had ammonia your stuff would be showing signs of distress (aka dead) unless you're doing hefty water changes often. may want to check your testing kit (maybe old or off-brand). the rocks look like you received them with inverts already growing on them, so most of your tank is likely to be cycled or nearly cycled.

not sure what the green slime algae is (i'm sure someone will chime in though).

the fish corals you have are extremely hardy ... which may give you a false sense of security on what you can add so until you know your water/tank is good you might find youre killing new additions.

what kind of light do you have? some of those corals may color up a bit better with a better light.
 

ninjamyst

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ATI ammonia test is crap. It will always show you have a little ammonia. There's no need to test with that ATI kit after your tank has cycled. It's more important to test your salinity and make sure you are using RODI water.
 

Darren in Tacoma

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That nem will tell you a lot. Keep your nitrates reasonable, keep your alkalinity stable, salinity and temp, of course. Looks like a good start to me.
That nem will move around until it finds a spot with the flow and lighting it likes. I wouldn't worry unless it releases and winds up in a power head.
 
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tyro

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Thanks.
Using 1 10k 65 watt t5 and 1 50/50 also 65 watt. Future upgrade to something like Steve's LEDs. My salinity is solid 1.026 I mixed a batch and did about a 10 pct change. Got 5 more gallons mixing. I use RODI for that and top offs. My pH is a little low watching it with water changes. There were some issues with the tank I discovered the light fans were broken. I replaced them. There was another cooling fan that was not working. It's replaced. Temps range from 78 to 80. Was over 83 when I got it.. I had an ammonia reading over 1 and was looking at my tank like how could that be without seeing something in more distress. That's when learned more about it.
 

PR_nano

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Looks like green cyano, I would try to stabilized nutrients and add more flow. Vacuum sand and keep up with the water changes. Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

For cuc I like Astrea, blue hermits, FL cerith, and nassarius.
 

sunken3

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Thanks.
Using 1 10k 65 watt t5 and 1 50/50 also 65 watt. Future upgrade to something like Steve's LEDs. My salinity is solid 1.026 I mixed a batch and did about a 10 pct change. Got 5 more gallons mixing. I use RODI for that and top offs. My pH is a little low watching it with water changes. There were some issues with the tank I discovered the light fans were broken. I replaced them. There was another cooling fan that was not working. It's replaced. Temps range from 78 to 80. Was over 83 when I got it.. I had an ammonia reading over 1 and was looking at my tank like how could that be without seeing something in more distress. That's when learned more about it.
your lighting is likely ok for everything but the nem. he'll probably stay alive, but may not color a whole like (and will want to be near the light).
 
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