Odds n Ends of a New Tank

NaClWater72756 · Nov 4, 2012

Hi all. New to the group! We have a 29g with live sand bed & 14lbs of dry rock and 14lbs of lr. This is our fifth week on the tank. I sat on my hands and did as I have read and waited three weeks before even adding snails. We have had fun watching lots of pods and little critters like stomatellas, bristleworms and a mollusk show up.
Upon visiting our LFS yesterday and purchasing three frags (Duncan, zoa & gsp) we have seen a few new folks show up. One is a star, not sure if snowflake or not and another that has created several little spirals on the glass near the back. (I've tried to take a decent photo) Noticed a few small green bubble algae and starting to see random offshoots of long strands of green plantlife..maybe algae? Also my sandbed has this pink/green stuff too..haven't an idea if its good or bad. Any identification help is great. Our ph & alkalinity are good (actually dosed reef builder yesterday bc I noticed alkalinity lower), nitrites zero with nitrates <20. Our ammonia never showed a spike but then just yesterday I realized our strips were expired in 2009.

Thanks!

Lori

revsgirl · Nov 6, 2012

Lookin' good!

csal1-175 · Nov 6, 2012

Asterina star I believe in the last pic.. Off to a nice start :bigsmile:...Reefkeeping Magazine - Reefkeeping 101

Norcalreefer · Nov 13, 2012

wecome to the hobby. I suggest ditching the test strips and getting a more reliable form of testing. Testing is one of the parts of the hobby that it's worth it to spend the little extra to have much more accurate test results.

bobbyM · Nov 13, 2012

Looking good!

NaClWater72756 · Nov 14, 2012

Norcalreefer said:
wecome to the hobby. I suggest ditching the test strips and getting a more reliable form of testing. Testing is one of the parts of the hobby that it's worth it to spend the little extra to have much more accurate test results.

I purchased an API kit to replace it. Ammonia still zilch!
I agree though, strips aren't ideal. It was all my husband had in his box of accessories. They can be compromised by moisture, light, temp and mishandling. I play with reagents, analyzers, microscopes and strip tests 40hrs/wk at work. Nothing like coming home and having more things to test. HA!