How am I looking so far?

[sherbertdipuk]

The tank has been running a week, started with live rock, live sand and alpha grog in the filter. I put 4 snails in on Tuesday, who are all still alive and seem to have lots of critters in the rocks.

There is lots of algae on the rocks forming bubbles and the sand is turning brown/green on top.

My readings last night were

Ph 8 or 8.2 I was squinting at the test for ages!
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5ppm though it was possibly slightly over but nowhere near the 10.

The bubbles look terrible, the areas around the snails look lovely.

I did a water change this morning. What are my next steps?

 

[G8trBait16]

The next steps would be patience. Are you using a sump, HOB filter, or canister filter? What size tank? Complete set up details, so others can help as much as possible. Also it looks like you are getting diatoms on the sand/rocks.

 

[Elementalj]

The tank has been running a week, started with live rock, live sand and alpha grog in the filter. I put 4 snails in on Tuesday, who are all still alive and seem to have lots of critters in the rocks.

There is lots of algae on the rocks forming bubbles and the sand is turning brown/green on top.

My readings last night were

Ph 8 or 8.2 I was squinting at the test for ages!
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5ppm though it was possibly slightly over but nowhere near the 10.

The bubbles look terrible, the areas around the snails look lovely.

I did a water change this morning. What are my next steps?

Patience madam. [emoji6]

The bubble algae and the brown algae are signs of a new tank. Water changes and patience is what you're working on now.

I wouldn't add any more animals until your algae outbreak clears up. So hang a little and keep testing until your silicate and phosphate levels go down.

 

[sherbertdipuk]

I bought it as a complete setup. It's 105l including the back compartments. Will the algae and bubbles go away on its own? I'm happy to take this really slowly to get it right.

 

[sherbertdipuk]

Sorry that's a terrible picture, I'll write out the equipment list!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Personally Id advocate making sure the snail population is diverse enough as well as large enough(and not too large). they eat different stuff.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/

 

[Frop]

If it were me I'd turn the lights down or reduce how long they're on since it is only snails. Make it a little harder on the algae growth.

 

[sherbertdipuk]

I've got the 4 turbo snails and about 5/6 small snails that came in the rock. Which others would work well? Thanks for the link, I'll have a look when I get my boys to bed.

How long is long enough for the lights at this stage?

 

[jeflen651]

If it was me I would not turn on your lights until you complete your cycle. The lights are a big contributer to the algae.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've got the 4 turbo snails and about 5/6 small snails that came in the rock. Which others would work well? Thanks for the link, I'll have a look when I get my boys to bed.

How long is long enough for the lights at this stage?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/
the basic cerith turbo nassarius cerith asteria nerite combo.

If it was me I would not turn on your lights until you complete your cycle. The lights are a big contributer to the algae.

another thought is, the algae is eating up the extra organics and No and Po. Same would be said for diatoms and silicates. so manual removal and good cuc and a moderate light cycle might be a though.

 

[Webslinger]

throw a molly in.