Quick question

[Allanth]

My 35gal bow has been running for about a week and a half now. Over the past few days diatomes have completely covered most of my live rock. There are what looks to be green hair algae on some parts too. SO I asked my friend if I could have a tester crab and put him in last night. I came home today and the little guy is still alive and gorging himself in the diatomes. He's lasted 24 hours and seems to be doing fine, does this mean I can put my cleaner crew in within the next few days?

[reefergeorge]

What are your tests showing? Every tank is different. A lot depends on how good of rock and sand you bought.

What type of crab is eating the diatoms?

[Sk8r]

but what do your tests show?
s/b 1.025 salinity, 80 temp, 8.3 ph-7.9. Nitrate/nitrite/ammonia 0.

Here's the reason: once critters start eating that stuff they're going to dump poo into the sand. Cycled means that there are bacteria in sufficient numbers to take a little poo and convert it to nitrogen gas, harmlessly, without spiking the nitrates. One critter, surviving ok, minimal problem. But playing fast and loose without 0 readings could kill him and all the rest. Get tests for those things: get a refractometer, a digital thermometer, a ph meter, and test strips for nitrate/ammonia, plus a test for alkalinity [I use Salifert]. Post your readings and start a log book. Then we'll see where you are.

Using ro/di water, byb? This is useful if you want to avoid algae farms.

HTH.

[Allanth]

Ammonia .25 , PH 8.2 , Nitrites 0 , Nitrates 10

I have a part for my skimmer on the way, so i'll have that up and running soon. I am also going to do a water change tomorrow.

[Allanth]

and also my salinity is 1.019

[Allanth]

temp is a stable 78-79 degrees

[Allanth]

Here are some pictures of my tank setup.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/Allanth01/vhnj006.jpg
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you can see the diatoms
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/Allanth01/vhnj009.jpg
<br>
the back
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/Allanth01/vhnj010.jpg
<br>
There is my sump/skimmer setup
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/Allanth01/vhnj012.jpg