ATP

have you seen any diatoms? It should pop up soon because your nitrates should go up. Are you going to add any invertebrates?

ATP,

bolivianbaby

No diatoms yet. I'm still waiting on my ammonia to drop and my nitrites to rise before my nitrates go up, right?

I'm still not totally sure what I'll be stocking with except for the half-black angelfish. What invertebrates would you recommend?

ATP

yes. the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. (forgot nitrites. don't check those anymore)

I recommend scarlet hermit crabs, astrea snail, turbo and sand-shifting snail(narcissus), and a cleaner shrimp

The scarlet hermits eats the uneaten food, astrea eats the small algae at the rocks and glass, turbo eats GHA on the rock, narcissus eats the diatoms and cleans your sand. The cleaner shrimp cleans up your fishes.

I would add one turbo every 20 gallons only. Others I will say add as many as you think is necessary. I would have more astrea and narcissus. Make sure not to get the blue leg hermits as they will kill other snails for the shell as oppose to scarlets who finds shells (that means you have to put some empty shells in the tank.

ATP,

bolivianbaby

Oh yeah, I forgot (sick babies- child, canine, and cavy), I'm getting a snail the size of a golf ball or ping-pong ball, but I don't know what type he is.

The scarlet hermit crab sounds interesting. I think I saw one the other day at the LFS, but I was trying not to look too closely. I'm really trying to be smart and patient about this. I may go back and check him out the next time I'm there.

Thanks, ATP!

David C

Congatulations BB, your tank is going to be beautiful I'm sure. I can't wait for pics after the cycle is over

Dave

bolivianbaby

Thanks, David! I did get a background for it yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to put it on the tank yet. I'm hoping to be able to do that tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the cycling being over as well and then having a happy, healthy, slowly-stocked, compatible tank

ATP

might be a turbo if it's that big. What I usually do start with clean ups is to get 5 hermits and 5 astrea first. After a week, check if all the invertebrates are moving around or not. Than check you parameters again and if everything is good, add more until you think it could control algae. If everything is good, add a turbo or two.

ATP,

David C

My SW tank will be delivered Friday so next weekend I get to paint it and get everything plumbed and set up. I know you make beautiful tanks so I will be looking forward to getting ideas from you

Dave

bolivianbaby

That's awesome! If I recall correctly, isn't it a 90g or something? You're going to have so much fun with that tank!