Increase Bio Load

[seagoblin98]

I am trying to help my mangrove and algae grow. My nitrates are very low so I want to add one or several messy fish or inverts to my tank to add to my bioload. I don't run a skimmer as the planted tank has brought my nitrates to unmeasurable amounts. Any suggestions on compatible companions in my 54 or 55?

I've got a tank system of smaller tanks. One 54 gallon cube as my DT. It has 2 large scorpion fish capable of eating a 2 inch file fish (I speak from experience), a smaller niger trigger (very aggressive), and a few sps frags. Behind that tank is a standard 55 filled to the waterline with rocks as a biofilter. Has 6 smaller 1 inch clowns and a filefish... I added a 15 gallon to the system about a month ago and stocked it with a small mangrove, a ball of chaeto, a handful of some sea lettuce, and about 40 feeder fish.

 

[jsker]

How old is the system?

 

[seagoblin98]

How old is the system?

About 3 or 4 months, but all the rocks in the 55 are from my 2 year old tank that started leaking

 

[jsker]

About 3 or 4 months, but all the rocks in the 55 are from my 2 year old tank that started leaking

regardless, the system is still cycling, how did you add 15 gallons to the system? bigger tank?

 

[seagoblin98]

regardless, the system is still cycling, how did you add 15 gallons to the system? bigger tank?

I took a 15 gallon tank, drilled a couple of holes and set it up above my 55 with a few smaller pumps directing flow under the chaeto to keep it tumbling. I understand it's a newer system. I'm not gonna get the fish for a while, I'm just wondering what my stocking options are in the future.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Depending on the trends of the parameters, size of the mangrove, and amount of macro algaes, there may not be any significant cycling left, as those plants/algaes consume nitrogen in its various forms quite rapidly.

The biggest limiting factor is space, so you would need a messy fish that doesn't swim too much, but also something that can withstand an aggressive trigger. Maybe a snowflake eel or toadfish.

 

[jsker]

I took a 15 gallon tank, drilled a couple of holes and set it up above my 55 with a few smaller pumps directing flow under the chaeto to keep it tumbling. I understand it's a newer system. I'm not gonna get the fish for a while, I'm just wondering what my stocking options are in the future.

That sounds like a cool setup. I have a red mangrove growing in my sump, nice a healthy growing in my media tray. I picked the pod up on the beach last February 2017 and it took about 9 months before a saw any growth/ leaves.

 

[seagoblin98]

Depending on the trends of the parameters, size of the mangrove, and amount of macro algaes, there may not be any significant cycling left, as those plants/algaes consume nitrogen in its various forms quite rapidly.

The biggest limiting factor is space, so you would need a messy fish that doesn't swim too much, but also something that can withstand an aggressive trigger. Maybe a snowflake eel or toadfish.

I love snowflakes but I can't keep them inside my tank to save my life. Would a toadfish get along with my m/f pair of scorpionfish?

 

[seagoblin98]

That sounds like a cool setup. I have a red mangrove growing in my sump, nice a healthy growing in my media tray. I picked the pod up on the beach last February 2017 and it took about 9 months before a saw any growth/ leaves.

Wow, impressive you were able to grow one from a pod. I bought mine with 4 leaves and happy to say it still has 4 leaves a month later. Any tips on keeping it healthy besides giving it light and nutritious water?

 

[jsker]

The roots need some kind of substrate. My roots are growing around my bio media. Mangroves like Mg. You will not see any reduction in nitrates, but it seem mine like dirty water since I run my nitrates between 8and 10 ppm. That is were it is getting its deep green color.

 

[seagoblin98]

The roots need some kind of substrate. My roots are growing around my bio media. Mangroves like Mg. You will not see any reduction in nitrates, but it seem mine like dirty water since I run my nitrates between 8and 10 ppm. That is were it is getting its deep green color.

I have the roots buried in a crushed coral substrate. It is in the lightest flow area of the tank that I've restricted to about 100 gph.

 

[swebb]

Check out belted sandfish, indigo hamlet, and shy hamlet. I do not have any experience with them but based on what I have read they may be a good fit for your tank.

 

[jsker]

I have the roots buried in a crushed coral substrate. It is in the lightest flow area of the tank that I've restricted to about 100 gph.

Perfect.

 

[seagoblin98]

Check out belted sandfish, indigo hamlet, and shy hamlet. I do not have any experience with them but based on what I have read they may be a good fit for your tank.

I will take a look, thanks

Beautiful fish, wish they were reef safe

 

[seagoblin98]

Took a trip to Florida this week and I believe I'm coming home with a half dozen lettered olives