Striped Blenny with Lawnmower Blenny?

[mikecronis]

Got a 54 gal. FOWLR tank with a few damsels (5) and an Austrailian Striped Blenny
http://atlanticreefstore.com/store1/...s/blenny15.jpg as well as 1 Hermit. Tank has been 4 months acclimating.

I was thinking about getting a Lawnmower Blenny as the Striped Blenny doesn't seem interested in the hair algae or diatom algae, flake, frozen shrimp, or freeze-dried bloodworms so I'm getting some freeze-dried Mysis Shrimp and some Live Brine Shrimp to satisfy him.

QUESTION: At this tank size will the 2 Blennies be compatible? I know the Striped has a poison fang and often does not tolerate similar species.


Also:
Tank is over-run with green algae. Live rock is covered. There's a bit of diatom algae (brown) as well. Astera Snails seem to not survive the tank. Nassarius snails seem fine but don't move much. Checked copper, calcium, amonia, phosporus, nitrate, nitrite. All are zero (Nitrate is 10). NO COPPER found. Here's the tank stats:

Amonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Ph: 8.4
SG: 1.025
Temp: 78
Calcium: 300

Setup: Sump (no refugium), bio-balls, protein skimmer, UV sterilization turbo, filterpads.

I do 10% water changes weekly using RO water. Tank is pure RO water.

Asteras are not flipping over, they just retreat into the shells and seem to die-off despite slow acclimation. I have a grounding-probe for the sump (motors are in the sump) coming in this week just in case of stray charge. Hermit is fine. Odd. Suggestions?

[Pat M Gaudio Jr]

two words, TURBO SNAILS! Get about 15 -20 and perhaps a LM Blenny. But I will warn you, COVER YOUR TANK!!!!!!!!!!!
He will jump out eventually. Came home yesterday to a dead Blenny on the floor. After asking LFS they said "Oh yeah, they'll jump out!"
I had Agae issues and turbos fixed it right up. Another question, you using RO-DI WATER!?
Check your Phosphates
Bag of Phos-Ban works like a charm

[mikecronis]

Turbos die in my tank as well as Asteras. Phosphates is very low. Calcium is 180 now so I added some. I'm familiar that blennies jump. Will it get along with the striped blenny?

[Original Fin]

I know this doesn't answer your blenny question, but I have some thoughts about the issue you seem to have with the snails.

I see is your calcium is low, which could contribute in whole or in part to the problem with snails.

You haven't listed what your alkalinity and magnesium levels are, so I assume you are not testing for them. If this is the case, it's very likely that mag is also low. Ca, Alk, and Mag all need to be supplemented in a reef system (in an ionically balanced way) to stay within NSW levels. Water changes alone will not replenish these as fast as the life in your system consumes them, so you may be able to slide for a while not doing anything, but the defecit will just continue to grow over time.

If you're not dosing Ca, Alk and Mag, I can also assume that you must be using some sort of PH buffer to be able to maintain 8.4. This method may work in a fish only system, but when there are invertabrates involved, you need to drive PH with Ca, Alk and Mag.

Please read Lee's sticky here What is Water Quality and get back to us with anything you'd like clarification on. Just a word of caution...if you decide to bring Ca, Alk and mag back up to NSW levels, don't try to do it all at once, or you may shock the system. Most dosing products provide maximum dosing guidelines, so just be sure to follow those recomendations.

HTH

[Pat M Gaudio Jr]

Seems a bit odd. My tank has been running for little over three months, I had an algae issue. (Came with running lights for 8-9 hrs a day) And was using distilled water (NO-NO!)
I have an RO unit I am setting up, Phos bag in filter for three weeks, and snails.
Hair Algae all gone, now just the light green that is part of the cycle (Purpl-up gets it going , but my need for that is over)
YOU NEED CALCIUM!
you should get the Kent two part tech stuff. you tank is too big for the Nano kit I got (Two part) Will raise your ALK AND CA, maintain stable PH (Your level is great) And add important trace (Mag, Stronium, etc) Everything your tank NEEDS!
What Salt are you using for changes?
I am changing this tanks salt to Red Sea Reef Salt. Fantastic levels of CA MAG And other trace to keep levels maintainable.
YOU NEED TO DOSE TO RAISE THOSE LEVELS. only way to keep an edge on the algae is good CUC, SNAILS!!!
OH I am pretty sure the blennys will get along. My blenny went TOTALLY unharrased by my clownfish, and HE(clown) IS VERY AGGRESSIVE NOW. He bites my HAND when I put it in the tank, so your striped will be ok
GET THOSE LEVELS UP!!!
TEST FOR MAG!! AND POST THE RESULTS!