waterperson

This forum is great. Never tot of using the chaeto in this way. Will be trying out later in the nite when lights off. Lol

But my pods are all in the refugium. Dun see them in main display. Probably the fishes got them. How u get them there?

This really sounds like a great idea. It should improve water clarity as well. Thx for the tip.

I too am using the gravel cleaner but probably siphoning too fast. Guess I'm too impatient. Need to slow down.

Just googled algae scrubbers. Time to build one. Oh well, it's weekend n time for water change again. Ps: other than activated carbon n UV sterilizer, are there any other ways to improve water clarity?

+1 to comments above. Your scape looks sharp. Pls update the growth whenever u can.

Seems like the consensus is that diatom is inevitable. Sigh. Guess nothing can replace diligent husbandry. Big thx to all bros for the comments. @dinG: won't siphoning cause the sand storm? Or u shut down ur wave makers?

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the tailspot blenny. i already have some snails and might get some 1-2 hermit crabs to help out too. Seems from reading online, the diatom seems inevitable. They die out themselves after 1-2 weeks. Is that true?

Need the help of fellow reefers to suggest some livestock that helps to control diatom and cyano. The algae i got are all brown. I got some of them on the sand and rock. Got a sand sifting goby but doesn't seem to help. Maybe it needs more help. Does hermit crabs or yellow tang help? Thx

Bro, dun mind me budge in on the your topic. I'm newbie in reef as well and just finished cycled my tank. It's a gradual 2 weeks ammonia build-up then sudden zero reading. Same for nitrite and nitrate. You dun seem to have the same experience of a built up of ammonia n nitrite, it could be because of your live rock and activated carbon. I believe your tank is experiencing a series of "small" nitrogen cycles. Not sure if a big cycle or small cycles are better, but in your case, your livestock will definitely survive better with smaller ones. With weekly water changes, i believe your tank will achieve the same state as a mature reef tank. Happy reefing

You can run a strong magnet over the sand before washing to remove the iron fillings. Believe the sand is grinded using big iron plates, leaving behind some iron fillings. I fill the sand to about half in the 1.25l coke bottle and top up with water. Just shake it vigourously to float out the dirt. Then empty the dirty water. Repeat twice and sand should be quite clean. Then just slowly dip the bottle in the tank water to fill it up. Point the bottle open end towards the spot you want to fill the sand. Voila! super easy and mess free.

@Danny, i bought mine from Fresh n Marine. $10 per bag of 10kg.

It's a new tank. Been cycling with incurred rocks for two weeks. Thanks for the advice, will add them over the weekend.

Seeking the advice of fellow reefers who have used coral sand in their reef tanks. The LFS sold me coral sand grade #1 (comes in 10kg) and told me can be used in reef tanks. Need to confirm with experienced reefers out there if this is really safe for a mixed reef tank. The sand has been washed but i have not added it to my tank. Any advice would be appreciated. Thx