TBS, Tank Cycles, Cynobacteria and you.

[pkpthrillho]

Got my TBS rock in just before the new year and had some questions about the tank cycle. I've been keeping the ammonia levels <1ppm according to their instructions. Actually its between .4 and .6ppm steady. I have a large breakout of that brown algae all over the glass/sand/rock. Is this a normal part of the tank cycle? Which part/how far in am I? My nitrites are barely detectable, ~.1ppm

[phil519]

pictures would help but it sounds like you have diatoms - which will go away in the next few days. Did you go with the package or just the LR?

[pkpthrillho]

Originally posted by phil519
pictures would help but it sounds like you have diatoms - which will go away in the next few days. Did you go with the package or just the LR?

I went with the package minus the live sand. I had some sand from the gulf I wanted to use. I am at work so I cant get pictures but it looks like this:



I also use an RO/DI filter from AirWaterIce for water.

[phil519]

it's been a while but to me that looks like diatoms. Cyano typically has more of like a silky kinda texture...and is colored differently.

You don't talk about what kind of flow you have in the tank - unless your gut-loading the tank with nutrients, high flow generally discourages the cyano growth.

The diatoms will resolve themselves in a few days. Just monitor the water params until they stabilize then have them ship ya part 2!

[pkpthrillho]

Originally posted by phil519
it's been a while but to me that looks like diatoms. Cyano typically has more of like a silky kinda texture...and is colored differently.

You don't talk about what kind of flow you have in the tank - unless your gut-loading the tank with nutrients, high flow generally discourages the cyano growth.

The diatoms will resolve themselves in a few days. Just monitor the water params until they stabilize then have them ship ya part 2!

Thanks. I'm excited about part 2. I wonder what kind of neat things it will contain. I found two large mantis in ONE of my pieces of rock (one of the large ones). I took the piece out into my mixing tub and shoved air tubing in the holes until they finally came out. Man those things are fast. Scared the **** out of me. I still hear one mantis in my tank clicking away but I dont know where he is.

[phil519]

Not to startle you - but I had zero in part 1 and five in part 2. They do not grow big and are the smasher types. I sold them to a local reef club for their raffle or something. While i had them I enjoyed watching them beat up on whelks in the sump.

They are indeed fast and are quite intelligent and have keen eyesight. Some folks set up tanks just for them - so if you do have an extra- I'm sure you'll find someone to take them off your hands.

Regarding the last one - it is quite possible you have a pistol shrimp rather than a mantis. After 4 plus years - I know my pistol is still in there but no idea where. No invert deaths - so guessing it survives on something else. Another tbs owner - she had a huge pistol - bigger than the mantis I had caught. I dunno how she missed it but it was in her display...

Mind you these pistols (from the gulf) are not known to have the symbiotic relationship with a goby.

Good luck - the guys (and gal) down at TBS are really great and my part 2 had plenty of extras. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

[Kemo484]

Originally posted by phil519
After 4 plus years - I know my pistol is still in there but no idea where.

Those TBS pistols are elusive. I got some TBS rock a few months ago, just rock not a package, anyway I know ones in there from finding molts and clicking but haven't been able to locate him. I wouldn't take it out though cause I think they're cool. Anyway enjoy the rock. concrats