Is my tank ready to add livestock?

[boppy2]

I could use some advice as to what to add first. I want to do this right!!!

I purchased a 25 gallon SW setup which I moved into a 40 gallon, added more argonite sand and another 15 lbs of liverock. I also added enough saltwater to the water from the initial setup to fill the new tank. The tank has been running about a week and I have noticed one crab ( not sure what kind!) and 3 snails( I think they are asterias) crawling about on the sand and rocks. I'm guessing  this is a good thing. I tested the salinity and it is fine. I had someone test the water for nitrates etc. and am told the levels are good too. Dang!!! So much to learn but it is a lot of fun!!

Because the established rock has some algae growth (not overgrown ) on it and I want to add some livestock, I was thinking about getting some snails and crabs to start....and add some fish/corals later.

I'm open to any suggestions as to what kind to get and how many of each. Should I buy the capacity of snails/crabs required for a 40 gallon ( it's a 40 gallon breeder) or purchase them and introduce them to the tank in stages?

One more question. I read a lot about RO water and checked the prices on RO/DI units.....too pricey for me right now. Is RO absolutely necessary for water changes and if so, where can I get it in Ottawa?. If not absolutely necessary, what are my alternatives? Thanks to all for any advice!!

[redbelly]

I highly recomend using RO/DI water. If you cant afford the $200 for an RO unit then you can get Culligan water from home depo or shoppers drug mart and you can get PC distilled from Lablaws.

[redbelly]

With respect to algae, what type do you currently have appearing in the tank?

[boppy2]

The algae is brownish in color but as I mentioned does not appear everywhere. It is on a few of the liverocks that came with the setup I bought.

[boppy2]

I'm not sure what kind it is to be honest with you Red. There is some on the liverock which is a medium to dark brown color.

I also noticed this morning that there is a lighter brown stuff on the sand...this one is new since yesterday.It seems very fine in texture compared to what's on the rock. Can you tell I'm a newbie?

[fishboy]

If the tank is fairly new then this is very normal. Your tank will go threw many algae blooms untill your tank has been running for a while and everything is stable.
Just make sure you have good flow everywhere, including the bottom.

[redbelly]

Sounds like you need to bump up your cleaning crew a bit. Astea should eat throught the film on the rock and the brown dust on the sand is diatom algae (the first algae cycle your tank will go through)

[boppy2]

Thanks guys!

Red, the cleaning crew is basically non existent right now, 1 blue leg and 3 Asteas that I have seen so far. These came with the setup I bought....didn't even know they were there until I noticed them moving around after I moved it all and set it up at my place. I sent you a message about crabs/snails this morning.

I tested the water this am: Ammonia is 0, Nitrate and Nitrite are both  0 as well. PH tested at 8.4