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I attached some pics under white light. They don’t seem to have any bubbles, just like a slimy string.get pic with blues off
rock looks new so most likely diatoms that will cycle down after the rock and tank matures. Does that stringy section to the right, next to the xenia have bubbles in it? Can't tell by the pic
It’s been running for close to two months. I also did a water change yesterday which lowered nitrates.I think that could be cyanobacteria, which occurs in the absense of nitrates. How cycled is your tank?
Ammonia - 0Looking at it now from my work computer and it could be a combination of both cyano and diatoms which is not uncommon. from what i've learned in this hobby is cyano is fueled by PO4 and NO3, so please post you perameters.
usually a lack of nutrients such as PO4 and NO3 in more established aquaria can lead to Dino outbreaks, but your system looks new so it's most likely diatoms w cyano. post your results, increase flow if you can, baste the rocks and keep your mech filters clean. I wouldn't be worried.
looks fine with the exception of KH. 140? ideally KH should be in the 8 to 10 range. what are you using to measure? API? do you have a separate phosphate test kit?Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10 ish
Temp - 79-80
PH - 8.2
Mag - 1320
Alk - 140
Calc - 420
I did have a pair of clowns but they had internal parasites, which was my mistake for not quarantining, so my tank is currently fallow and has been for about two weeks which could explain the lack of nitrates. It’s a 10 gallon system so I’ve been dropping in 3 -5 pellets every 2-3 days to keep the inverts and bacteria happy.
Good to know. So should I be trying to lower my nitrates? What I mean by 140 is the ppm measurement. It roughly translates to 7.8, so I will try to higher it with my next water change.looks fine with the exception of KH. 140? ideally KH should be in the 8 to 10 range. what are you using to measure? API? do you have a separate phosphate test kit?
10 ppm nitrate is fine right now and not considered low. Many including myself strive for a balance of PO4 in the 0.02-0.05 ppm range (so NO3 in the 2-5 ppm range).
140ppm, that's just under 8 dkh. that's fine but i would boost it a bit to above 8.Good to know. So should I be trying to lower my nitrates? What I mean by 140 is the ppm measurement. It roughly translates to 7.8, so I will try to higher it with my next water change.
What salt do you use? I would just target Alk to the brand of salt you useGood to know. So should I be trying to lower my nitrates? What I mean by 140 is the ppm measurement. It roughly translates to 7.8, so I will try to higher it with my next water change.
I use reef crystals.What salt do you use? I would just target Alk to the brand of salt you use
lol my bad! I mixed cyano up with dinos! You're correct, cyano is caused by elevated nitrates.cyano is fueled by PO4 and NO3, so please post you perameters.
usually a lack of nutrients such as PO4 and NO3 in more established aquaria can lead to Dino outbreaks,
Ok thank you! I’ll do weekly water changes at 15 percent starting this Saturday.lol my bad! I mixed cyano up with dinos! You're correct, cyano is caused by elevated nitrates.
Sounds good. I definitely find that the key to eliminating an algae outbreak is to simply rub it off the rocks and sand, immediately do a water change (siphoning out much of the algae so it doesn't return), and then letting the CUC do the rest. Trochus snails are known to tackle cyano algae. During algae outbreaks, sometimes even higher water changes are recommended, and run your blue lights even more often (if you don't already).Ok thank you! I’ll do weekly water changes at 15 percent starting this Saturday.
Quick question, I do have a Xenia, and I am a little worried that lowering the nitrates will screw with it. Should I take the chance?Sounds good. I definitely find that the key to eliminating an algae outbreak is to simply rub it off the rocks and sand, immediately do a water change (siphoning out much of the algae so it doesn't return), and then letting the CUC do the rest. Trochus snails are known to tackle cyano algae. During algae outbreaks, sometimes even higher water changes are recommended, and run your blue lights even more often (if you don't already).
Xenia corals are quite hardy and thrive on both filter feeding and photosynthesis. Seeing that your nitrates are already at 10 ppm, I wouldn't make that any lower...Quick question, I do have a Xenia, and I am a little worried that lowering the nitrates will screw with it. Should I take the chance?