Putter's first tank

[putter]

Tested again today and the results are:

Temp 80.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrites .25
Nitrates 10
Phos 0
PH 8
ALK 11
Calc 430...435??
salinity .023

Nitrites are dropping slowly, Ammonia is <.25 so I assume 0, no color to the test water at all. I am trying to bring the temp down, most fish from what I see like it between 74 ish and 78? Can't see anything moving in the tank or on the rocks, no alage yet, with luck the Nitrites will be at 0 in anohter day or 2 and I will be able to order some kind of macro alage for the fuge and maybe some clean up crew, altho, I see nothing for them to clean yet. Maybe a pair of clowns to start with. Any thoughts or suggestions for stock?

[Bifferwine]

It's a commercial one, Octopus brand. Right now my tank is moderately stocked (25 fish), but I tend to push my bioload...

[putter]

Well looks like I am waiting until Monday to order fishes and such, Nitrites are .1 and Nitrates @5 Ammonia is still <.25 and every thing else seems to be ok. Dang it was |---| that close, in fact by the time the critters and fish showed up it probably would have been ok, they would not arrive here until late tomorrow. Sigh I guess I waited this long another 5 days won't kill.....I do have to wait right.....<looks around for some one....ANY one in the crowd that will tell him to go ahead and get the fishes!>....

[Bifferwine]

Sorry, can't tell you that... Don't get any animals until your ammonia and nitrites are both at 0.

[putter]

Well I did it, I ordered my first critters and fishes today, also ordered some chaetomorpha for the fuge. This is what I have comming:

Clownfish - Ocellaris ORAORA Ocellaris Clown2
Crab - EmeraldEmerald Crab1
Snail - CerithCerith Snail4
Snail - Red Banded TurboRed Banded Turbo Snails30
Snail - Conch SpiderSpider Conch1
Snail - NassariusNassarius Snails20
Snail - Spiny AstreaSpiny Astrea5

hope that about does it for a start, and they won't be here for a week to 10 days, depending on the airlines cargo loads....seems they are a bit over stuffed with cargo and passengers right now So there should be ample time for the tank to finish what it is doing.

[Bifferwine]

Sounds good. Good cleaner crew. 30 turbo snails is a bit much though, depending on if they are big or small (the link didn't work). I have 4 turbos in my 240, and that's more than enough. I would have gotten 30 astraea snails and only a few turbos. If they are small, it's okay though. Good going with the nassarius snails.

[putter]

Well being as it is not shipped and will not be for a week or so, I am sure I could change the order...I think the turbo's max out at 1". Yeh 1" it is...here is a link to the site...hope this one works for you.

Red Banded Turbo Snails - Ocean Aquatics Ltd.

[Bifferwine]

Yeah, that definitely isn't a Mexican turbo, which gets really big. Those should be fine in the quantity you ordered, I wouldn't bother changing it.

[putter]

And while I have your attention....I have 2 #3 and 1#2 korila power heads...is that enough flow in a 100 gallon, or should I add another power head, I have a #3 and a #2, was going to use one the the hospital tank and the other just to circulate water in the storage tub...but I certainly can use one or both in the tank if advised to. LOL I knew there was more I wanted to ask... is it ok to start using purple up in a new tank, or should I give it awhile to settle out, also I still have micro particles floating in the water colum, should I be concerned with these? I have a HOB filter from the hospital tank I could install with the carbon cartridge if it would help or if there is a need for it.

[Bifferwine]

Running carbon will help clear up the water faster. You can start using the Purple Up right now if you want, I love the stuff, I thought it did wonders for my tanks, but others have not seen results with it. It seems to be hit or miss. I dig the stuff. And if it doesn't work for you, then you're just out some cash.

I would add one more powerhead to your tank. I have six #3s running in my 240. The more flow, the better.