update numbers

[lefty53]

well the nitrates are coming down they are 25 now. Been doing water changes once a week and check the nitrate level the next day. Ammonia and nitrites are still 0 and salinity is a little low 1.021. Sound like the cycle is going good? One question I have is that I see green things growing from the rocks. Looks like little christmas trees! probably algea but thought I'd ask

[tray262]

Sounds like the cycle is going well, Do you have any livestock in there yet ? It does sound like algea, it's normal. Good luck.

[lefty53]

no This weekend I plan on getting some snails for the sand and maybe a couple yellow tail damsels. sound good? I would like to get the nitrates down a little more. I am in the process of doing a 40/50 percent water change tonight. see what the numbers are tomarrow.

[tray262]

Seems like a little too much water for a water change, but that's just my opinion. I personally like the use Chromises for the testers, but damsels work too, they are just nastier fish.

[lefty53]

the yellow tails are suppose to be the best temperment of the damsels. Or so I was told. Are they still mean? I never thought of chromies. How is thier temperment?

[tray262]

Chromies are very well tempered. I have no problems at all with them, they are the wimps of the tank, even with a school of 8. I don't know about the Yellow tail damsels, I personally stay away from all damsels.

[BubbaWPB]

Yellow tail damsels are damsels... the good news is that they stay fairly small - and colors remain nice and bright. They are not as foul-tempered as dominos or even maroon clowns, but they do defend their little spot in the tank.

I don't add critters until ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrates are 5 or below. I did add a shrimp or two (dead out of the freezer - not the breaded ones either;; ) during the curing process of my live rock.

[lefty53]

thanks. I checked the levels again Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 but the nitrates are 12 I will probably shy away from the damsels.

[tray262]

Bubba just a question, but why wait till under 5 ? I started at like 15-20 with problems. Arn't Nitrates always going to be somewhat present ? Please fill me in if I'm missing something. I'm still learning myself.

[BubbaWPB]

Depends on what you want to put in your tank. Less than 20 is usually ok for fish only. I have corals, anemones, clams and other stuff in my tank that are much more sensitive to nitrogen compounds - so I wait until it is below 5.

If you have a good system set up (adequate live rock and sand bed), and with good tank husbandry (don't overfeed), your nitrates will become undetectible. Good luck! Sounds like you're off to a good start!

[tray262]

THANKS for clearing that up, I wasn't too sure. I started out at about 15 or so with fish-only. But maybe that's why I lost my anemone. Hum, Food for thought.

Thanks Bubba.