G2k's first saltwater tank- Corallife BC29 update

[guardian_2000]

Hi all,

So my BC29 has been cycling for 3 weeks as of today. Its coming along quite quickly. I don't think I'm done with the cycle as its only been 3 weeks but my diotom bloom is fading and pods are appearing all over. My liverock algae and green fern like algae on my dry rocks seems to be really growing now. My water tests are showing that my nitrites and nitrates have almost hit 0 if they aren't 0. Ammonia also reading 0. These color charts are tough to read. PH is on the mark and specific gravity is between 1.024 and 1.025. Temp staying stable at 78 with lights and everything on and it usually is 76 first thing in the morning just before everything turns back on. I have some snails and 3 bluelegged crabs in the tank. I'm curious where I should go from here. The other day I noticed a few white feathery tips on some algae though like feather dusters. A bunch of them were gone this morning but there were a few left. Wondering if they were a type of hydroid?.?

Just one of the liverocks I have thats really starting to show its alive. Lots of stuff on it that I can't ID. Showing it in the ID thread.

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b609/Guardian_2000/IMG_5402_zpsd7cd78ca.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b609/Guardian_2000/IMG_5383_zps1daedad9.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b609/Guardian_2000/IMG_5383_zps1daedad9-1_zps084c5966.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b609/Guardian_2000/IMG_5403_zpsa5dd99d1.jpg

[bnumair]

welcome to the hobby but i am sorry to tell you that pics 2 and 3 show aiptasia a harmfull hitch hiker that will grow like weeds and take over the tank. i strongly suggest taking the rock out and burn the darn thing/area with a lighter and rinse the rock in saltwater then back to the tank.
good luck

[ryeguyy84]

And bubble algae, and byropsis. Take that rock out ASAP

[guardian_2000]

I know about the aptasia, and the green bubble algae. I've heard peppermint shrimps and emerald crabs can take care of that. I'm not familiar with the 3rd listed.

[BAGGERZ13]

What exactly is the aiptasia?

[bnumair]

Pepper shrimp will not take care of big aiptasia.

[ryeguyy84]

Byropsis is like hair algae, but looks like a fern

[guardian_2000]

So all the neat looking fern like green algae on my dry rock is bryopsis?

[hossa81]

I guess so. Turbo snails will mow the stuff down and they are pretty cool.

[ryeguyy84]

I would pull it. You have 3 reefing nightmares on one rock.