New Tank Cycling Question(s)

[Ween]

Hi, I have a new 7G Minibow (yes, like everyone else). I have had the tank + sterile bag sand running for about 3 weeks, live rock and 1/2lb live seed sand running since August 20th. The past 2 days have noticed a significant beginning to an algea bloom. My question is, how far along does this mean I am in the cycling process? Is this a good sign or a bad sign? I also need to know what critters I need to get for a tank clean up crew (and is this a good time to get them). I would prefer not to use hermit crabs because I do not want to have to keep up with buying them shells. All comments welcome.

Stephen

 

[Chronicles]

Test your water and tell us what your readings are, that will tell you a lot and where to go from.

oh and welcome!!

 

[Ween]

What should I test for?

I dont want to waste time testing for everything if there are only a few things I need to test for.

 

[bdelaney]

What does the algae look like? Is it a slime algae or a turf algae?
Your tank is probably right on schedule. The algae is a normal part of the cycle. Slime algae (actually cyanobacteria) can usually be siphoned off during a water change.

Ideally you'd want to test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If both ammonia and nitrites are zero, and nitrates are below around 20 ppm, then it's probably safe to add some snails. Turbo snails are a good choice, and they're easy to find.

 

[Ween]

I measured the water and the kit shows the following readings:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0.75
Nitrate: 23

 

[shalegac]

Welcome to Reefs.org!
Are you using RO/DI water? What lights are you using, and how long are you running them? It more than likely is probably part of the cycling process. You may just need to give it time. Good luck and keep us informed.
Shaun Legacy

 

[Ween]

I'm using RO/DI water I get from walmart at their filling station. The lights i'm using is a CustomSeaLife 32W retrofit which is a 10,000k daylight + ultra actinic in one. The algea btw looks like fuzz. Theres also some green algea starting to grow (like very miniature plants), and some pink alea (both light and dark pink).

 

[bdelaney]

From what you describe, it looks as if your tank is doing fine. You're nearing the tail end of the cycle, and the nitrites should reach zero pretty soon. The pink algae is coralline algae, and it's a good sign that the system is capable of calcification. I'd wait until nitrites are zero and nitrates stabilize before adding any critters.

 

[Ween]

I talked to the guys at jeff's exotic fish. They told me it was ok to go ahead with 5 astrea's, 5 blue hermits, 1 brittle star, and 1 cleaner shrimp.
They should be here tomorrow. I also ordered a minijet 404.

I have some pictures to show soon.

Is there anything else I might want to do?

 

[shalegac]

You might want to pick up a good book. You can find some in the library section of reefs.org. They helped me alot.
Shaun Legacy

 

[Ween]

Heres a picture of my tank.

 

[Ween]

Is it a bad sign that all my snails look like they are trying to get out of the tank? Could the water not be to their liking?

 

[Ogre]

snails do that sometimes. They are sometimes kinda useless.

 

[alexmsw]

Make sure you get some extra hermit shells. LFS and Craft stores sell them. You can keep them behind your rocks out of site so your snails don't end up as hermit food