todays inverts

today we purchased a few inverts since the algae is already accumulating in the sump. we purchased 2 turbo snails and a chiton (although i have never heard of one) the chiton is brownish black and its about 2" in length. we have plans to put him in our sump because thats where the green hair algae is growing... should we place him in there? theres little to no algae growing in the tank yet but the sump is covered in this green fuzz...
what to do? the algaes supposed to be good but we want to have live rock in the sump with a fish and possibly some spagetti algae

 

How long has the tank been up and running? Have you tested for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates yet?

 

a week and all the levels are great. the lps said the inverts will be fine just to monitor all the levels before we add them in

 

A week really isn't long enough for a tank to cycle.
How did you cycle it?

 

Chitons need a constant algae source or they will die. He will destroy the algae then melt away.

 

your levels are good because the tank has yet to begin cycling. I would return the inverts and wait about 4-6 weeks. And I would be leary of that LFS from now on. They sound like the kind of place that will sell you anything, at any time. The algae in the sump will run it's own cycle, and if it's still there after the tank is ready, then you can clean and scrape the stuff, and then add some inverts to help.

read this thread, it should help.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

 

This is good advice. It is hard to be patient! You could maybe roll with a couple of hermits, but know that the ammonia which will spike will hurt any life forms you put in there. In many cases enough to cause death.

 

the people we purchase the tank from had a really bad algae issue with nothing to clean it so it took over the tank. since we purchased it weve cleaned the tank but not the sump assuming that any bacteria left in the sump would be good for the cycle. the algae screamed back to life the 2nd day the tank was filled and the equipment was running. since then weve used twice a day bacteria treatments, over 100 lbs of live sand and crushed coral and weve also only placed 40lbs of live rock in the display and about 5lbs in the sump with the green algae and live sand. the algae is quickly starting to build in the display near the overflow so we had purchased the 2 small turbo snails for in the tank where the algae is starting to grow long and the chiton in the sump.
i definately agree about the lps... dont think well be listening to them any time soon.

 

well, the inverts are doin great although i have found a home for the citron next week to ensure he has plenty of algae to clean in the future. hes only begun to clean the sump so hell be relocated soon to an environment with way more algae than ours... hes a good helper though. the turbo snails are havin the time of their life cleaning the live rock. thanks for all the help!

 

chiton has its new home and so does the deer cowrie. the turbo snails are still wandering around enjoying all the room.