2.5 gallon -Endless Algae- 2/5/12 algae rescape

[xenxes]

Monster, any idea what kind of algae they eat/prefer? Or do they eat everything? I just cultured some green hair algae

[synthorange]

Holy crap, who needs filter floss? Just stick that in your canister!

[xenxes]

Also, I had no idea it would take that much salt to get it to 1.01!

[diwu13]

How much aquarium salt was it?

[xenxes]

Instant Ocean (marine salt), I bought API Aquarium Salt first, then read it missed several trace elements required for brackish tanks.

I got a 3lb box. Used maybe 1/4 of the box and not at 1.01 yet, getting close. Hydrometers suck.

I don't think I'd ever want to do a marine tank (1.02) if it costs this much salt. Maybe I'll just walk down to the beach with a bucket... imagine the critters I'd come home with.

[Monster Fish]

Originally Posted by xenxes

Monster, any idea what kind of algae they eat/prefer? Or do they eat everything? I just cultured some green hair algae

They'll eat soft green algae, diatoms, and GDA. Mine will pick at the hair algae but they'd rather graze on the biofilm and GDA on the glass.

Originally Posted by synthorange

Holy crap, who needs filter floss? Just stick that in your canister!

But then you'll get hair algae everywhere.

Originally Posted by xenxes

Instant Ocean (marine salt), I bought API Aquarium Salt first, then read it missed several trace elements required for brackish tanks.

I got a 3lb box. Used maybe 1/4 of the box and not at 1.01 yet, getting close. Hydrometers suck.

I don't think I'd ever want to do a marine tank (1.02) if it costs this much salt. Maybe I'll just walk down to the beach with a bucket... imagine the critters I'd come home with.

How are you mixing the salt? I bought a 10lb box of Petco brand marine salt and I use the scoop that comes with it. When Im making saltwater, I use a smaller container filled with water to create a super saturated solution. I then pour it into the tank slowly. You might have to give the tank a quick stir to evenly distribute the salt mix into the tank. That way you will avoid false readings of 1.02 when instead it's actually 1.25 (like I've done before).

[xenxes]

Um, I was lazy, so I poured it into the filter intake area, thinking the strong flow would help distribute it evenly. I wonder if I killed my bacteria with salt overdose. Been doing it slowly past few nights and testing next day. It doesn't look like I have undisolved salt anywhere.

I read the box just now (after pouring for 2 days lol)... apparently 3 lbs makes 10 gallons of marine, so brackish would take 1.5lbs in a 10g I assume? So.. ~0.9lbs for my 6g, that's about 1/3 of the box. Need to add a tad more.

I need to throw some flakes in there to see if I get a spike.

[diwu13]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

How are you mixing the salt? I bought a 10lb box of Petco brand marine salt and I use the scoop that comes with it. When Im making saltwater, I use a smaller container filled with water to create a super saturated solution. I then pour it into the tank slowly. You might have to give the tank a quick stir to evenly distribute the salt mix into the tank. That way you will avoid false readings of 1.02 when instead it's actually 1.25 (like I've done before).

Will pouring such a concentrated salt amount into the tank at once hurt the shrimp at all?

[xenxes]

I'm sure it does, on the box it says not to pour directly into tanks with animals. Good thing I don't, yet

[Monster Fish]

Originally Posted by diwu13

Will pouring such a concentrated salt amount into the tank at once hurt the shrimp at all?

Hasn't affect my shrimp yet. Also I only add saltwater to the tank during water changes. I pour a little bit of the salt solution into the aquarium then follow up with some fresh, dechlorinated tap water afterwards. When topping off evaporation loss, I just use dechlorinated tap water.

Originally Posted by xenxes

I'm sure it does, on the box it says not to pour directly into tanks with animals. Good thing I don't, yet

It only says to not put the salt directly into the tank. As long as you mix the salt with water before adding it into the tank, the shrimp should be fine.

[xenxes]

So the Coralife light has a shimmering effect, don't know if this is intended with marine lights or if it's a product defect. Either way it makes me nauseous. Can anyone recommend another light replacement for the Edge (assuming I don't want to cut off the top/plastic?)... clip on a Fluval 13W, or Finnex 26W at the filter area?

[Monster Fish]

I think you posted in the wrong thread. Lol

[xenxes]

I think I did

[xenxes]

It's impossible to do a good scape with lava rocks, I think I'll just pile it on

Maybe I'll pile them on the edge like you did, except both sides since I don't have enough algae.

[Monster Fish]

The only thing I don't like about the rock piles is that I rarely see most of the shrimp. Next time I rescape, I am going to do a layer of lava rock along the bottom and float the algae near the surface.