[lightcycler]

Just a quick progress check. I started my FOWLR tank with DSB and Live Rock about 9-1-2007. Have progressed through the diatom stage and all measurable parameters are in good shape. Have a good crew of snails in place. I have a covering of green.....(mat algae.....has a lot of bubbles) and cyanobacteria primarily on the sand. Some cyano on mostly base rock.....not live rock. The Mexican Turbo's do a pretty good job running around the sand and keeping things ate back but blooms each day with the lights. Snails are keeping the glass and live rock looking nice. My feeling is this is a natural progress of the tank.......(increasing my water changes) but that over time this will drop to a bare minumum. I have several months until fish. Anything to be concerned about at this point or just keep up the current path?

[leebca]

Congratulations! GOOD FOR YOU! I am happy to see you are giving a fine approach to the hobby. Keep up the good work.

You are partially correct. The system has to mature. Most of the things you report are relatively normal. Microbes are struggling to get their share of the wastes and pollutants. As things progress the nutrients should shift and then finally be minimal OR other, more favorable microbes will take over and steal their nutrients.

If you intend to get a Tang (I don't know if your aquarium is large enough) don't sweat the green algae growth. But if you have a small aquarium, or don't plan on getting any algae eating fishes, then you need more algae eating snails.

The newly introduced organics are sending the closed system through different blooms of microbes and micro marine life. Hopefully you have a protein skimmer that is properly sized for your system. Keep watch on ALL features of water quality, like outlined here: What is Water Quality.

[lightcycler]

75 Gal FOWLR. On the fish side I'm planning a pair of false percs, a royal gramma, a coral beauty,........and that may be it we will see how that goes. I've got several months of waiting on that though. I bought this system from an individual 6 years ago.......killed all the fish and it has sat empty until this year I have a Sea Clone skimmer (100 I'm pretty sure) which as I understand is far from the best. I'm shopping Ebay for a good used skimmer of the Euro Reef or Remora type. When I do my water change I haven't been vacuuming algae from the sand because I don't want to starve the snails. I have 2 mexican turbos, 10 Troncas, 8 Astrea's, 10 Margarita (bought before I read), and 8 nassirius sp? Feeding the the nasirus 1 cube (3 grams) of Ocean Nutrition Reef formula every other day. I'm really trying to follow your Starting a FOWLR post to the T. Haven't started with the frozen clam yet. In addition to the skimmer I have an emporer 400. Have a UV system which I need a new bulb for so its not running yet. I am attaching a couple pics.......when I look at them.......the amount seems small.

[leebca]

Looks like you are on a good path.

I would suggest adding about 2 dozen Cerith snails to the group. They are known to eat some nuisance microbes and algae.

You can use some nori or better, marine algae sold for fish food to supplement the algae eating group.

When you put in the cube, do the Nassarius snails come out of hiding and 'run' for the cube?

[lightcycler]

Originally Posted by leebca

When you put in the cube, do the Nassarius snails come out of hiding and 'run' for the cube?

Yes they do. I've shown a number of people and its very entertaining. Its funny how ineresting the different snails are and its keeping me entertained while I wait patiently. I will get the Ceriths. Also closing in on a better skimmer. The Sea Clone doesn't pull much.

Thanks for all the help and advice

[rjs5134]

I added a few queen

[rjs5134]

I added a few queen conchs and a few fihting conchs to my 65 gallon and I'm shocked how efficent they are at eating the green algae. The snails I've had in the past weren't a fraction as useful.

Rob

[leebca]

In general Rob, the Conchs require (each) about 4+ square feet of open substrate to support them.

[lightcycler]

Ya Lee and I don't have that kind of space in my 75. I'll stick with the Ceriths. Having some algae in my tank is not a bad thing in my mind. Just need to find the balance where its at a minimum but my snails still have plenty to eat.

[rjs5134]

Aaahhh the things they don't tell you... Now my wife has to let me upgrade.

Thanks Lee.

[lightcycler]

Originally Posted by rjs5134

Aaahhh the things they don't tell you... Now my wife has to let me upgrade.

Thanks Lee.

Yes she must!!!!!!!!!!!!