it's starting...

Hi everybody.

I'm a newer member, and have stuck to everyone's advice to "go slow, and let it grow" as best I can.

My tank has been up for almost 5 weeks now, and has for the most part, cycled. Everything has been at 0 for about 2 weeks now. ( I realize that is fast, which is why I still haven't added anything.)

I have been running my lights for about 2 weeks. (Coralife Aqualight 2X65W [one actinic]) The algae is really starting to bloom now. It started with just a small trace of bright green algae on the LR that I got from the LFS. This morning, I noticed a few patches on the glass, and by the time I got home from work this afternoon, it's grown considerably. There are patches starting to grow on my sand/argonite bed, as well as on my powerhead, filter, and the newer base rock I put in (that I had heavily bleached and rinsed). My 15lb LR from the LFS is almost completely covered in a bright green / brown algae - all of which is forming a multitude of bubbles on it (I'm guessing it's anaerobic).

As I said earlier - I have made an effort to be patient. Every-time someone comes over they ask why I STILL haven't got anything in my fish-tank. It makes me proud of myself.

My question is this - how do I go about introducing whatever it is that I need to introduce to jump start some bio-load in my tank, and get things rolling? I'm in no hurry - and would be completely content adding just a few crabs and snails, or even a fish if my tank is ready for that. What I need, is some help putting together a list of "cleaners" I want to order from reefcleaners.org, or get from my LFS.

I realize the guy at reefcleaners.org is a sponsor of this site. Several times I have asked this question and have been directed to contact him. The thing is, I want to understand WHY I'm putting what in my tank, not just get a package from reeflcleaners.org.

Thanks in advance for you help, everyone.

Brew

 

John will explain every critter to you in detail not just send you a package, if you ask him. If you asked him I'd bet he'd even take the time to set up a phone call so you can ask discuss your set up and ask him why he recommends what he does. Yeah I think he's that great a guy.
Kudo's for being patient and it does sound like you are ready for a CUC. After you add them I'd give it a couple weeks to let your biofilter catch up and then add one or two fish per month until you reach the fishinch/gallon limit.