Reef not maturing

[hellasinc]

Hey guys,

Need some advice on my 25 galling nano tank. It's been running about 1 year now but everything in the tank is still basically new, no coraline algea grown other than some brown algea on the top part of the rocks which my snails refuse to eat . Any advice?? I was thinking of adding some coral in a couple of weeks if anyone can recommend some really easy corals it would be appreciated.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The video is too blue to see any algae, but I don't see why wait longer to get corals if you want.

What kind of light do you have on the tank?

 

[hellasinc]

The video is too blue to see any algae, but I don't see why wait longer to get corals if you want.

What kind of light do you have on the tank?

Red Sea ReefLED 50. In regards to the algae ive attached some photos

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It looks like normal detritus and micro algae to me, its not bad. I would suggest to get more snails and hermit crabs, I only saw one snail in the video

 

[hellasinc]

It looks like normal detritus and micro algae to me, its not bad. I would suggest to get more snails and hermit crabs, I only saw one snail in the video

I have 3 astrea and 2 mexican turbos but they dont seem to eat it . also have some white hair algae that they don't eat

 

[Tahoe61]

Wow you're right, the tank doesn't look like a year old tank.

Is clean up crew adequate?

Is the lighting mounted too high? Are you running the fixture at the correct intensity?
It looks like insufficient lighting?

Consider a Toad Stool, perhaps some hairy Mushrooms. Zoanthids would be a good choice. I would stay away from Palythoa though.

 

[hellasinc]

Wow you're right, the tank doesn't look like a year old tank.

Is clean up crew adequate?

Is the lighting mounted too high? Are you running the fixture at the correct intensity?
It looks like insufficient lighting?

Consider a Toad Stool, perhaps some hairy Mushrooms. Zoanthids would be a good choice. I would stay away from Palythoa though.

I have 3 astrea and 2 mexican turbos but they dont seem to eat it . also have some white hair algae that they don't eat. Running a Red Sea ReefLED 50 at 23k blue only 20%

 

[Tahoe61]

I would turn up the intensity for sure. A RedSea 50 is not going to overwhelm the tank. Coverage is 20×20, the tank is 24?

Consider some bacteria in a bottle or quality live rock or sand.

 

[shkeats]

I'm assuming here that (perhaps?) the only things you've ever added to the tank are sterile dry rock, fish and inverts. In that scenario there's a pretty limited opportunity for any of the algae or critters you might expect in a mature tank to get in and get established.

I think if you buy a selection of corals and keep them on the supplied frags, (or better yet a colony on a live rock) without aggressive dipping/scrubbing, it will seed the tank with a few more types of algae and microfauna (unfortunately along with some pests too.)

You should expect to go through some periods of overgrowth, and plagues of one thing or another, algae or critters (I've had brown flat worms, small feather dusters, aptasia etc.) before things settle to more of a balance.

If you have added corals/frags/live rocks to the tank already, then you might also consider paying for a send away water test to check there isn't anything going on with your water quality that's stopping other growth and causing a monoculture.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Red Sea ReefLED 50. In regards to the algae ive attached some photos

IU think your light is weak and not sufficient to support coralline and increase algae. Its likely mature and an ICP test would confirm the state of your tank regarding water and water quality. Flow will also play a role and what specimens do you have in the tank?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have 3 astrea and 2 mexican turbos but they dont seem to eat it . also have some white hair algae that they don't eat. Running a Red Sea ReefLED 50 at 23k blue only 20%

IMO turn the lights up to 80% and get some corals

 

[hellasinc]

I would turn up the intensity for sure. A RedSea 50 is not going to overwhelm the tank. Coverage is 20×20, the tank is 24?

Consider some bacteria in a bottle or quality live rock or sand.

i believe its 45x45cm. what kind of intensity do you recommend ? . I use microbacter7 twice per week but if you can recommend something else ill give it a try

 

[hellasinc]

IMO turn the lights up to 80% and get some corals

I was told past 30% blues on this light will be too strong for soft corals

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I was told past 30% blues on this light will be too strong for soft corals

I have a 55 watt light on a 15 gallon set at 85% for mushrooms and zoa's
You have a 50 watt light on a 20 gallon set at 20%.
You have the wrong info, turn the lights up, corals like light

 

[hellasinc]

IU think your light is weak and not sufficient to support coralline and increase algae. Its likely mature and an ICP test would confirm the state of your tank regarding water and water quality. Flow will also play a role and what specimens do you have in the tank?

1 clownfish 1 Orchid dottyback 1 yellow wrasse who i havent seen since he went it 2 weeks ago, 3 astrea snails and 2 mexican turbos

 

[hellasinc]

I have a 55 watt light on a 15 gallon set at 85% for mushrooms and zoa's
You have a 50 watt light on a 20 gallon set at 20%.
You have the wrong info, turn the lights up, corals like light

Ill give it a try thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

1 clownfish 1 Orchid dottyback 1 yellow wrasse who i havent seen since he went it 2 weeks ago, 3 astrea snails and 2 mexican turbos

I see now on the light which is insufficient and you want at least 95 watts.
How are you testing water?

 

[hellasinc]

I see now on the light which is insufficient and you want at least 95 watts.
How are you testing water?

How is it insufficent ? I was told its perfect for my nano tank. My local store test my water every other week

 

[vetteguy53081]

How is it insufficent ? I was told its perfect for my nano tank. My local store test my water every other week

How are they testing it and with what kits?
This wattage will likely not promote coralline and the light intensity in pic is quite low.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Whats your water parameters?