Day 8 - Cycle w/ pics

[Bartman1818]

So I think things are going according to my "plan" lol.

So day 8 of cycling, i've done all my regular tests (which by the way is to much fun, I feel like a marine biologist)

Here is where I stand:

Ate - 20 ppm
Ite - 0 ppm (a big change, two days in a row tested for 0)
Amm - 0 ppm (according to both liquid and strip tests)
Cal - Something between 480 and 500 when it changes color
dKH - 11
pH - 8.1 (looks to fall somewhere between 8 and 8.2 on the color chart)
Temp - A bit lower today at 76.5 F
Phos - 0.5 (I guess a bit high but apparently not a concern..yet)

I also think I am experiencing a diatom bloom. I have some brown forming on the rocks as of Friday and seems to be spreading to other rocks today. Here is a picture of the bloom, or is it something else?


Also here is a coral I guess of some sort, please tell me it isnt aptasia!!
I just also noticed this thing disapears into the live rock instantly and then slowly opens up again like a little satalite dish. What is it!


Here is another little worm type thing I found, if anyone can tell me what it is. Peanut worm?


Also found a dead crab lodged between the rocks. I am happy it is dead, I heard hairy crabs = bad news for coral later on. That true?


Just incase anyone asks about the eheim in the first pic, it is unplugged I just havnt removed the tubing yet.

Also spotted this just the other day, what is it?


So many interesting things starting to show up It is so exciting!!

[marie]

pic #2 is a featherduster worm and good to have and pic #5 appears to be a paly (button polyp) of some sort.
Here are a couple of links to sites that can help you identify some of the more common hitchhikers
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

[lorenz0]

wow your finding alot of life after only a few days of cycling

glad you got that hairy crab, i just found 2 in my birdsnest which were the source of why it was looking stressed

[es355lucille]

We are on our second aquarium start-up. The live rock is so interesting....its like an advanced science class. We have flash lights and a magnifying glass to look at even smaller animals. As you know, night time is when the reef comes alive......and you will see more as your reef matures over the next couple of months.

TV is secondary in our house now!

It really puts a smile on our faces to see other people as excited about their new reef as we are!

Hey, also there are a lot of knowledgeable people here on Canreef......and they are more than willing to help you. Don't be scared to "PM" (personal message) anyone with a question. If they don't know they will send you to the person with the expertise.


Thanks for the pictures.
Cheers,

Es355lucille & KissMyWrasse

Originally Posted by Bartman1818

So many interesting things starting to show up It is so exciting!!

[Bartman1818]

Didn't know that it gets more interesting at night! Now I have more to look forward to

Thanks guys, ps, that site linked above is incredibly useful, thanks for sharing.