New Aquarium, Need some advice

[Bryce Mazloum]

for christmas I was able to upgrade my previous tank to an IM 20g peninsula, it's been running for a few weeks and things have been going moderately okay.

I transferred in a few corals from my old tank, and most are doing okay. The acan, gorgonian, and ricordia yuma are all doing fine, and have colored up; however, my anemone has more or less browned out and has been running around the tank, with one side constantly looking shriveled up. As a contrast the anemones on the pom pom crab I transferred are doing fine, as is the crab

On top of this I've been getting lots of brown algae on the sandbed and on a few rocks, though I am getting a clean up crew set up within a few days.

Unfortunately I can't post many parameters and such, since all I have is a poorly calibrated hydrometer, and an ammonia and phosphate test kit.

But with what I've given could anyone give advice on the anemone, algae, and possibly reccomend a cleanup crew and some equipment I need?

 

[ihavecrabs]

How much rock did you transfer over to the new tank and how much new dry rock was added?

Also, you will need to get a hold of some test kits because your flying blind at the moment

 

[reeferfoxx]

The brown algae could possibly be diatoms from the new tank. Although, posting some parameters would help as would pictures because dino's are a thing. When you moved the nem, did you have to physically remove it from where it was? Meaning, did you maybe rip the foot?

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

How much rock did you transfer over to the new tank and how much new dry rock was added?

Also, you will need to get a hold of some test kits because your flying blind at the moment

I only transferred over a small portion that had some coral on it, and besides that I started up the tank with some of the media from the old system.
And for test kits what all should I invest in?

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

The brown algae could possibly be diatoms from the new tank. Although, posting some parameters would help as would pictures because dino's are a thing. When you moved the nem, did you have to physically remove it from where it was? Meaning, did you maybe rip the foot?

I can try to get pictures up along with another post tomorrow, as for the nem it was already running circles in the old system, so all I had to do was poke it and he came off instantly, as for the algae it's kind of like a thin coating, not spreading over everything but not particularly extensive either, if that makes sense.

 

[StatelineReefer]

I only transferred over a small portion that had some coral on it, and besides that I started up the tank with some of the media from the old system.
And for test kits what all should I invest in?

I would get Nitrite and Nitrate tests for sure, if you're pressed, just the nitrate, as nitrite is a fleeting stage of cycling.

Check for ammonia, post up the PPT, and we'll see what's happening from there.

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

I would get Nitrite and Nitrate tests for sure, if you're pressed, just the nitrate, as nitrite is a fleeting stage of cycling.

Check for ammonia, post up the PPT, and we'll see what's happening from there.

I managed to find a nitrate test kit, I'm testing for both right now

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

@StatelineReefer both appear to be around the lowest color setting of ppm, the nitrate is appearing as a clear yellow while the ammonia is appearing as a foggy greenish-yellow.

Though the ammonia seems to be a bit higher than the nitrates

 

[StatelineReefer]

@StatelineReefer both appear to be around 0ppm, the nitrate is appearing as a clear yellow while the ammonia is appearing as a foggy greenish-yellow

So, seeing those readings it's not an unfinished cycle, or a restarted cycle, which is good. But it IS a fresh tank, which, to be honest, most nems are picky about, at least in my experience. Give it time to adjust, but keep an eye on it.

Do you still have the old tank just in case your nem can't tolerate something about the new one?

As far as the brown algae, this is typical. Keep your water parameters stable and treat this new tank as any new tank, with care and foresight. Don't overreact to minor changes, but be ready in case major ones happen.

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

So, seeing those readings it's not an unfinished cycle, or a restarted cycle, which is good. But it IS a fresh tank, which, to be honest, most nems are picky about, at least in my experience. Give it time to adjust, but keep an eye on it.

Do you still have the old tank just in case your nem can't tolerate something about the new one?

As far as the brown algae, this is typical. Keep your water parameters stable and treat this new tank as any new tank, with care and foresight. Don't overreact to minor changes, but be ready in case major ones happen.

I still have the old tank, I'm going to be giving it away soon though, so I'll keep an eye out for the anemone. And I'll try my best to keep parameters stable, my old ATO is busted and I don't have the funds to get a new one just yet. Is there anything I can do to help with the process besides waiting? I started the tank with bottled bacteria, could I add more? and if I was to get a clean up crew within the next few days would I have to worry about any casualties?

 

[StatelineReefer]

I still have the old tank, I'm going to be giving it away soon though, so I'll keep an eye out for the anemone. And I'll try my best to keep parameters stable, my old ATO is busted and I don't have the funds to get a new one just yet. Is there anything I can do to help with the process besides waiting? I started the tank with bottled bacteria, could I add more? and if I was to get a clean up crew within the next few days would I have to worry about any casualties?

Your cleanup crew should be hardy enough to survive just about anything except major salinity or alkalinity changes, so no fear there.

Don't sweat the ATO for now, replace it when you can, just make a habit of checking your salinity once a day (Or more, if you're like me!!!! I check once in the morning before work, and once after work) .

Good habits make healthy tanks.

For now, patience and observation is my Rx.

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

Your cleanup crew should be hardy enough to survive just about anything except major salinity or alkalinity changes, so no fear there.

Don't sweat the ATO for now, replace it when you can, just make a habit of checking your salinity once a day (Or more, if you're like me!!!! I check once in the morning before work, and once after work) .

Good habits make healthy tanks.

For now, patience and observation is my Rx.

alrighty, thank you!!!
one last question, I do have some coral food and other supplements, do you think those would benefit the anemone if I started feeding them once again?

 

[StatelineReefer]

alrighty, thank you!!!
one last question, I do have some coral food and other supplements, do you think those would benefit the anemone if I started feeding them once again?

Absolutely feed 'em! Feeding time is the best time to assess health and growth!

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

Absolutely feed 'em! Feeding time is the best time to assess health and growth!

alrighty, I have a mix of reef roids and coral sinking pellets, so I'll be sure to start feeding again!!