I have a new saltwater tank that is approximately 11/2 months old. It is 55 gallons, but I have 60 lbs of sand and 75 lbs of live and dry rock. I started with a bunch of live rock from a LFS with coralline algae and hitchikers on it. I did a fishless cycle. Dosed Fritz Pro Ammonium Chloride and MicroBacter Start XLM. Ammonia went from 4 PPM (from dosing) to 0 a few weeks after initial tank setup, Nitrite spiked but went to 0, Nitrates went up to 20. I did this twice and was able to get 4 PPM ammonia to 0 in 24 hours. So full cycle. Did a decent water change 25% or so.
Current parameters:
Salinity: 1.026 SG
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10-15
I have a colony of xenia that looks like it's twice the size it was when I first got it, and is thriving pulsing and having a good time.
I also have a large colony of GSP that is also out, fully extended and having a good time blowing in the current.
I also have 2 clownfish, a female and a male and they're fat and happy. I've had them about a week so far and I feed the frozen Reef Frenzy. Water parameters have remained consistent.
My biggest concerns right now are no longer the water parameters, but an infestation of copepods? (I think that's what they are? I attached a bunch of pictures) and the fact that the water.
First question being, are the copepods? Why are there so many? There's literally thousands and they cover the back wall, too. I wipe them from the front glass but they come back in an hour.
Second question, the water has a ton of particles in it. Not so noticeable under lower lighting but with full intensity there's particles EVERYWHERE. I think they're the same bugs but just floating through the water column. Is this bad?
I run ChemiPure Blue and Polyfil and Purigen and they do not go away, that's why I'm inclined to think they're the bugs I'm seeing on the glass. What do you think?
Last, but not least the worms.
Skip to :26 seconds in. Some of them look like they bit a hole through my GSP and are searching for stuff to eat. They retract right back into it. This is the only section of the GSP where I can see them (new growth area) but who knows. What are they? Are they bad?
Anyway, I'm super new to all of this and been somewhat concerned lately if these are good or bad signs, or just part of the ugly stage of my tank.
Current parameters:
Salinity: 1.026 SG
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10-15
I have a colony of xenia that looks like it's twice the size it was when I first got it, and is thriving pulsing and having a good time.
I also have a large colony of GSP that is also out, fully extended and having a good time blowing in the current.
I also have 2 clownfish, a female and a male and they're fat and happy. I've had them about a week so far and I feed the frozen Reef Frenzy. Water parameters have remained consistent.
My biggest concerns right now are no longer the water parameters, but an infestation of copepods? (I think that's what they are? I attached a bunch of pictures) and the fact that the water.
First question being, are the copepods? Why are there so many? There's literally thousands and they cover the back wall, too. I wipe them from the front glass but they come back in an hour.
Second question, the water has a ton of particles in it. Not so noticeable under lower lighting but with full intensity there's particles EVERYWHERE. I think they're the same bugs but just floating through the water column. Is this bad?
I run ChemiPure Blue and Polyfil and Purigen and they do not go away, that's why I'm inclined to think they're the bugs I'm seeing on the glass. What do you think?
Last, but not least the worms.
Skip to :26 seconds in. Some of them look like they bit a hole through my GSP and are searching for stuff to eat. They retract right back into it. This is the only section of the GSP where I can see them (new growth area) but who knows. What are they? Are they bad?
Anyway, I'm super new to all of this and been somewhat concerned lately if these are good or bad signs, or just part of the ugly stage of my tank.