Copepods/ No Copepods

[phishphreak]

I recently setup my 120 gallon reef. Its been up and running for 2 weeks now. After adding some garf grunge (10 lbs) I started seeing numerous amounts of copepods in my tank. Suddenly I see none!?

Also where can I find good information on the natural algae cycle or life cycle of a newly established reef tank.

Plenty of information exists on ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Looking for something different.

I am also geting a calcium reactor the beginning of next week can I ditch the kalkwasser routine?

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!!



if your tank has only been set up for 2 weeks then you are in the initial nitrogen cycle. it may have been a little early for the garf grunge.

have you been testing you ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

as far as algae goes you first start out with diatoms, these will go nuts about now and can last a month or two.

i usually suggest letting new tanks cycle for a couple of months before anything is added to the tank. i just let the LR cycle the tank.

what is your Kalk routine? i have a kalk reactor that i have running constantly. a lot of people run both. they serve slightly different purposes, so i would keep your routine.

G~

[phishphreak]

I am sure the Nitrogen cycle is over. 0 ammonia/ 0 nitrite / 0 nitrate.

I am using RO water- I shouldn't have diatom bloom should I?

[Geoff]

diatoms use up any free silicates. you can get silicates from the substrate.

did you ever read any nitrates with your test kit. if not then you are still cycling the tank. nitrates take longer to come down than the ammonia or the nitrites.

G~