Ready for an addition?

addicted2fish · 05-16-2001, 10:32 AM

Wondering if it would be ok to add a soft coral now. My system status:
4 weeks ago introduced sand bed and 100 lbs LR. Ammonia went as high as 1 ppm. Nitrite was back to zero in 9 days.
2 weeks ago added cleanup crew.
1 week ago added another 80 lbs LR. Expected at least a small cycle, but ammonia and nitrite remained undetectable.
Parameters now:
Ammonia and nitrite undetectable.
Nitrate 4 ppm.
pH 8.2
SG 1.025
Temperature 78.4-80.8F
Calcium 400 ppm
Alkalinity 220 ppm

Everything in the tank now seems healthy. Am I going too fast, or would an addition be alright? Any suggestions appreciated.

Bill

------------------
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" - Red Green

[This message has been edited by addicted2fish (edited 05-16-2001).]

Mobious · 05-16-2001, 10:35 AM

I think you could.. But IMO I would wait for another month.. Get that Sand bed going.. If anything you could add an Xenia or some star polups..

skipm · 05-18-2001, 02:58 PM

You could make a small addition now but not a very big one, I think that at this point in the game it would be a good idea to proceed with caution. Skip

**golfish** · 05-18-2001, 03:05 PM

I think your going too fast. I know that's not what you want to hear but you haven't even been through the algae blooms yet. When I started my first reef tank I keep saying I was going to wait 6 months after the addition of the LR and LS before I added corals. I first added some snails and crabs, then a detrivore kit from IA. I think I added my first coral at 4 months[img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Go slow and do it right you have the rest of your life to stock the tank.....

What is you Alkalinity? 220ppm?

Personifer · 05-18-2001, 03:06 PM

It would be better to wait a few more weeks. If you wanted to add something now I would suggest some mushrooms or some kind of polyp. You should be fine adding these now.

------------------
Jeff

Visit my website:
JeffsReef

addicted2fish · 05-21-2001, 12:03 PM

Thanks everyone. I'll take your advice, hold off, and do it right. Of course I am anxious to move ahead, but for now it is still fascinating watching just what came in on the rock! I did have some dusting of diatoms on the sand and a lot of green algae on the glass, but the hermits and snails wiped it out in short order. I guess I should be looking for what, the cyano stage next? [img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

You all are a tremendous resource, and I appreciate it.

Bill

------------------
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" - Red Green

05-16-2001, 10:32 AM	#1
addicted2fish Citizen Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: St. Pete, Florida, USA Posts: 107	Ready for an addition? Wondering if it would be ok to add a soft coral now. My system status: 4 weeks ago introduced sand bed and 100 lbs LR. Ammonia went as high as 1 ppm. Nitrite was back to zero in 9 days. 2 weeks ago added cleanup crew. 1 week ago added another 80 lbs LR. Expected at least a small cycle, but ammonia and nitrite remained undetectable. Parameters now: Ammonia and nitrite undetectable. Nitrate 4 ppm. pH 8.2 SG 1.025 Temperature 78.4-80.8F Calcium 400 ppm Alkalinity 220 ppm Everything in the tank now seems healthy. Am I going too fast, or would an addition be alright? Any suggestions appreciated. Bill ------------------ "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" - Red Green [This message has been edited by addicted2fish (edited 05-16-2001).]

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05-16-2001, 10:35 AM	#2
Mobious Council Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 282	I think you could.. But IMO I would wait for another month.. Get that Sand bed going.. If anything you could add an Xenia or some star polups..

05-18-2001, 02:58 PM	#3
skipm Citizen Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: St. Helena Is. SC Posts: 173	You could make a small addition now but not a very big one, I think that at this point in the game it would be a good idea to proceed with caution. Skip

05-18-2001, 03:05 PM	#4
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	I think your going too fast. I know that's not what you want to hear but you haven't even been through the algae blooms yet. When I started my first reef tank I keep saying I was going to wait 6 months after the addition of the LR and LS before I added corals. I first added some snails and crabs, then a detrivore kit from IA. I think I added my first coral at 4 months[img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Go slow and do it right you have the rest of your life to stock the tank..... What is you Alkalinity? 220ppm?

05-18-2001, 03:06 PM	#5
Personifer Mayor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 667	It would be better to wait a few more weeks. If you wanted to add something now I would suggest some mushrooms or some kind of polyp. You should be fine adding these now. ------------------ Jeff Visit my website: JeffsReef

05-21-2001, 12:03 PM	#6
addicted2fish Citizen Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: St. Pete, Florida, USA Posts: 107	Thanks everyone. I'll take your advice, hold off, and do it right. Of course I am anxious to move ahead, but for now it is still fascinating watching just what came in on the rock! I did have some dusting of diatoms on the sand and a lot of green algae on the glass, but the hermits and snails wiped it out in short order. I guess I should be looking for what, the cyano stage next? [img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img] You all are a tremendous resource, and I appreciate it. Bill ------------------ "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" - Red Green

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