Is my new tank actually ready to go?

[Reef_at_Sea]

Hello,

So i have set up a new 40g tank (see my build thread) with live sand & 60% live rock.
I started it with ammonia dosing & i am 100% sure it can remove 2ppm ammonia to 0 within 24 hours (it's been cycling for 1,5 weeks).

Tho, i still measure 1.0 nitrite & obviously alot of nitrates (being affected by the nitrite) + theres alot of neon green algea growing on the rocks & glass but also hair algea on the live rock.

Am i actually okay to move over my clownfish, cleaning shrimp & 4 soft corals from my running tank?
I would also like to add more cleaning snails & a sand cleaning sea star, will that be okay too?

I'm still worried about the 1.0 nitrite & green algea, altho i started stocking my previous tank with 1.0 nitrites aswell.

Would love a response to this, thanks

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

Anyone?

 

[Doompastew]

Anyone?

I recently did a new build. I cycled without lights for 3 weeks the same method as you. It helped with the algae for a short period of time. As long as your ammonia is down, you will be fine to move the fish. Although, you may see another short cycle that may spike your ammonia again. I've been reefing since the 80's, I have cycled every way imaginable and never lost any livestock to cycling. As for the coral, I would wait a bit.
Go Slow!

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I recently did a new build. I cycled without lights for 3 weeks the same method as you. It helped with the algae for a short period of time. As long as your ammonia is down, you will be fine to move the fish. Although, you may see another short cycle that may spike your ammonia again. I've been reefing since the 80's, I have cycled every way imaginable and never lost any livestock to cycling. As for the coral, I would wait a bit.
Go Slow!

Tbh, even if i got an ammonia spike, i do know that it will be gone very fast cause of my tests with dosing 2ppm.

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I recently did a new build. I cycled without lights for 3 weeks the same method as you. It helped with the algae for a short period of time. As long as your ammonia is down, you will be fine to move the fish. Although, you may see another short cycle that may spike your ammonia again. I've been reefing since the 80's, I have cycled every way imaginable and never lost any livestock to cycling. As for the coral, I would wait a bit.
Go Slow!

Also, others told me corals consume ammonia & they could have been moved directly?

 

[Reefering1]

It should be safe to add fish. However I would likely add some cuc 1st, giving them a head start on the algea before adding fish. You should skip the starfish entirely, it will die in your tank-its too clean. Go slowly. Add some fish, give a few weeks. Add more cuc once you see algea spreading

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

It should be safe to add fish. However I would likely add some cuc 1st, giving them a head start on the algea before adding fish. You should skip the starfish entirely, it will die in your tank-its too clean. Go slowly. Add some fish, give a few weeks. Add more cuc once you see algea spreading

Yeah, i'm skipping the starfish, ive read about it in the meantime & it's a bad idea.

 

[Reefering1]

Also, others told me corals consume ammonia & they could have been moved directly?

They can but that's a bit more advanced.. the new tank is inherently unstable(corals don't like this. And they need a supply of n03/p04 that would typically be provided by feeding fish

 

[Solo McReefer]

I would wait until the Green Hair Algae starts to grow, as in covers all the rock

Then, order the CUC. Maybe some blue damsels

GHA doesn't really grow when there is ammonia and nitrite in the tank. It grows when you have nitrate and phosphate

When the GHA is knocked back by the CUC, and whatever algae scrubber devices you have

Then start adding the first tester corals

If they do fine, tank is pretty much good to go for the rest

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I would wait until the Green Hair Algae starts to grow, as in covers all the rock

Then, order the CUC. Maybe some blue damsels

GHA doesn't really grow when there is ammonia and nitrite in the tank. It grows when you have nitrate and phosphate

When the GHA is knocked back by the CUC, and whatever algae scrubber devices you have

Then start adding the first tester corals

If they do fine, tank is pretty much good to go for the rest

There's green hair algea growing on the rocks, just not on the dry rock part.
I can read no ammonia ever after 2ppm dose tests but theres still 1ppm nitrite, i can read nitrate but not tested phosphate yet.
i have read that the neon green algea is something that happens before coraline algea?

i'm gonna get a CUC & add the fish later, sadly i'm on a time schedule.

 

[Reefering1]

I would definately NOT wait until gha takes over the tank before adding cuc. That is the path for a year long ugly stage. Let cuc start doing their job before it takes hold. Damsels are another bad idea. A quick search will find that they are very aggressive(especially if left alone in a tank) and many come to regret ever adding them

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I would definately NOT wait until gha takes over the tank before adding cuc. That is the path for a year long ugly stage. Let cuc start doing their job before it takes hold. Damsels are another bad idea. A quick search will find that they are very aggressive(especially if left alone in a tank) and many come to regret ever adding them

i'm not gonna add damsels at all, it's just 1 clownfish & a cleaner shrimp that i have to move from my other tank for now.

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

I would definately NOT wait until gha takes over the tank before adding cuc. That is the path for a year long ugly stage. Let cuc start doing their job before it takes hold. Damsels are another bad idea. A quick search will find that they are very aggressive(especially if left alone in a tank) and many come to regret ever adding them

What is the Neon green algea in your eyes? i can rub it off with my finger very easily.

 

[Doompastew]

Also, others told me corals consume ammonia & they could have been moved directly?

My reasoning was more about stabilization. You will likely go through NO3 and PO4 issues along with the uglies. Not to say whatever softies you have wouldn't be okay. In my experience, I have found that it was less of a headache if I had just waited a few months for corals...just my opinion though

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

My reasoning was more about stabilization. You will likely go through NO3 and PO4 issues along with the uglies. Not to say whatever softies you have wouldn't be okay. In my experience, I have found that it was less of a headache if I had just waited a few months for corals...just my opinion though

I have added these softies in my other tank after 6 weeks of cycling & they are doing amazing.
I get what you say tho, i'm not planning on adding anything else after i moved everything over from my 20g tank, i wanna give it a little more time ha

 

[Reefering1]

What is the Neon green algea in your eyes? i can rub it off with my finger very easily.

In my eyes green algea is a clear sign of a cycled tank. But Truthfully, idk what species it is. Nor do I care, just get something eating it BEFORE it takes hold and gets out of control. A water change will soon be warranted

 

[Reef_at_Sea]

In my eyes green algea is a clear sign of a cycled tank. But Truthfully, idk what species it is. Nor do I care, just get something eating it BEFORE it takes hold and gets out of control. A water change will soon be warranted

i allready did a small water change, after my tests i will decide if a new one is gonna be needed or not.
i have a weekly water change schedule of about 10% (after cycling)

 

[Reefering1]

Focus on cuc. Don't add full crew yet, maybe 30% of recommendations and add as more as needed. Otherwise many will starve. Contact @CCK_8814 he was a pleasure to do business with, livestock was clean and healthy- arrived fast/well packaged

 

[Doompastew]

What is the Neon green algea in your eyes? i can rub it off with my finger very easily.

What is the Neon green algea in your eyes? i can rub it off with my finger very easily.

without a better picture, it could be a cyano bloom