Is my cuc enough?

[MonkeyDLuffy]

So my 75 gal tank with a ruby 36 sump (about 70lbs pukani) has been up and running for two months now my parameters are as follows:
Sg. 1.026
Ph 8.2
Alk 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0-5

Needed to buy mag ca and phosphate still


I'm going through diatoms which is ugly! From what I've read and been told it shall pass with time, but a cuc helps with it I was told. So to the question, I have 8 hermits 2 emeralds 7 astear 5 cerith 4 nassarius and two cleaner shrimp. Should I just ride it out and continue with my weekly 10% water changes or would adding additional cuc member be a good step?
Thank you in advance

 

[rockworm]

The diatoms will disappear and the ole green algae will come. ☺

You may run into a problem with the hermits deciding the snail shells are enticing. I no longer buy hermits and just get snails and other algae eaters. I do have one scarlet hermit that hitchhiked on something. I have a large tank and to add all the cleanup crew at once can be expensive. I add on a weekly basis. I think you will find that you will need more cleanup crew. It is the nature of the early tank as it grows in maturity.

I would plan on adding more, but would not rush out tomorrow and get a bunch. See how your current crew works and add as needed.

 

[rockworm]

I pressed reply before I was finished. My wife says I am long winded. She is probably right. One cleanup crew member I love is the mexican turbo. These guys chow down like no other snail. I have 2 in my 75 and 6 in my 400. They are close to baseball size now because I have had them for more than a year. The only downside is that they are bulldozers. I have to ensure my corals are secure or they end up all over the place.

I also want to add that a marine tank is a waiting game. You will find that adjustments need to be made as the tank ages. It is a continuous learning experience that I find very satisfying.

 

[MonkeyDLuffy]

Thank you for the advise I have about 20 extra shells for the hermits so no issues so far. I'll have to look into the turbo
Patience is the key as I had a feeling I'd be told. I got some chateo that I'm selling for credit maybe I can get a straight trade for one

 

[rockworm]

I have a good relationship with my LFS. Best thing I ever did. Purchase here, frag credit there, etc. You probably wont need the turbo until the brown goes green. I bought them because I had a nasty overgrowth of red turf algae. The turbo was the only thing that would eat it. Since they cleaned that up they they have gone green. [emoji6]

 

[MonkeyDLuffy]

Oh okay. I'll save that credit then!

 

[rockworm]

You are on the right track. I started into the hobby in 2005/6. (Memory not so good anymore, hehe). I made the noobie mistakes and there is a chance you will too. Dont get discouraged. This is an awesome hobby and I have not done as much research since my university days. Always learning.

 

[lion king]

Ceriths are the bomb for diatoms, I usually just throw a bunch of those in 1st, for a 90 a dozen wouldn't be too much. Most people over populate their cleanup crew and just end up with dead snails. If your crabs start starving that's when they start picking on your corals or even worse become an opportunistic killer. I add other snails as the different algae show up, and yeah at least a couple of turbos, but after there's something for them to mow down. In a new tank I would watch the crabs there may not be enough for them to eat. If you feed your corals on the sandbed, the nassarius will literally crawl on them and steal the food out of their mouths.