Started the uglies

D4nnyD91

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Evening all,
Looks like im currently stepping into the ugly phase. What Nitrate numbers do you guys aim for to try and keep diatoms up and not end up with the dreaded dinos? I dont have any CUC in the tank atm as it was just too clean up until yesterday so i will make sure this week i head out to the LFS before it gets out of control and grab a few turbo snails and possibly a strawberry conch or 2.

Thanks
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I would say thats the beginning of the beginning of the uglies. I would grab a few hermits and a few snails but I would wait on the conches, let some micro algae grow on those white rocks before getting too many hernivores, your rocks and sand are looking too clean still.

I don't aim for any particular nitrate numbers, but I like to keep my nitrates lower than 10 and my phosphate lower than .1
 
Hey man,

Thanks for the reply. I will post an update in the next couple of weeks once we have some CUC in there


Thanks again
 
adding on to what mr mojo said nitrates typically will come down to an individual tank's needs, LPS dominant reefs for example typically like higher nitrates than sps dominated, there's also mushroom heavy tanks that some people like to have at a even higher nitrate level, so it all depends on your plans for your tank and what you plan on adding
 
I would skip adding turbo snails at the moment. I've found they eat a lot. Some hermit crabs, Astrea snails should be fine to start.
 
adding on to what mr mojo said nitrates typically will come down to an individual tank's needs, LPS dominant reefs for example typically like higher nitrates than sps dominated, there's also mushroom heavy tanks that some people like to have at a even higher nitrate level, so it all depends on your plans for your tank and what you plan on adding
Thanks for the reply mate. Im not sure what im thinking of doing tbh mate atm, but defo worth taking into consideration soon
 

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