00W's AIO Smorgasbord

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Tim,
Won't the nuisance spring up once it is in the tank and have a "normal" light cycle? Sorry, this is my brain over analyzing things. I plan to cycle the rock until the tank arrives, which is another month or longer.

Possibly, but because it's live rock there's a lesser chance that you'll get lots of algae. Maybe even none.

 

[Rocks reef]

It may, but by then your not just growing algae for no reason, your also growing corals and potential have cuc and utilitarian fish.


Oh, you said Tim :zany-face:

No, I appreciate the feedback Mike. Thank you!
Oh, I have plenty of CUC. I don't go by the recommended number that many state. In my 40g breeder I have probably 15 astrea, 5 nerite, 10+ stomatella, unknown amount of asterina, unknown amount of micro brittle stars and dose a bottle of pods each week. I'm a firm believer in trying to replicate a natural reef in terms of CUC and biodiversity.

 

[Rocks reef]

Possibly, but because it's live rock there's a lesser chance that you'll get lots of algae. Maybe even none.

I do inspect the rock regularly. If I see anything "unwanted", I take it out and give the spot a quick scrub in fresh SW then back in the tote it goes. So far, not too many uglies have shown up, I know it's quite early.

 

[luis angel]

Question for the Smorgs...
If you cycled rock for your tank, did you have a light on it or just have the ambient light? Right now, mine isn't lit by anything except ambient light and maybe some light spill from the tank. It's been cooking for about 3 weeks now. When I first stated it, I used MB7 and Dr. Tims one and only, 5mls of Vodka. A week later I added two bottle of mixed copepods and dose 1ml of phyto daily and 1ml Vodka daily to feed bacteria. A week ago I tossed a couple snails in there like I was Michael Jordan sinking a 3 pointer, it was epic, who says white boys can't jump! I do drop two or three micro pellets of fish food in daily as well. Parameters are perfect, not worried about that. Any how... back to the light question.

+1 no light

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I do inspect the rock regularly. If I see anything "unwanted", I take it out and give the spot a quick scrub in fresh SW then back in the tote it goes. So far, not too many uglies have shown up, I know it's quite early.

Your basically just allowing the bacteria and micro fauna a chance to Duke it out and find a balance. Keeping like out of the equation prevents explosions of algae creating waves of nitrate uptake, export, intake repeat etc

 

[tbrown]

Tim,
Won't the nuisance spring up once it is in the tank and have a "normal" light cycle? Sorry, this is my brain over analyzing things. I plan to cycle the rock until the tank arrives, which is another month or longer.

Once it's in the tank there will be nutrient export and clean up crew. Coralline and bacteria can grow in the dark, as can pods. Nuisance algae requires some light to grow, especially when there's limited nutrients. I cycled my rocks outside in a black Brute trash can under my patio so it got some natural light but no direct. I didn't have nuisance algae growth and my CUC kept everything cleaned up after I added it to the tank.

 

[00W]

You should post your menu it would blow them all away.

Very kind Kevin.
Thank you. :smiling-face:

 

[00W]

Question for the Smorgs...
If you cycled rock for your tank, did you have a light on it or just have the ambient light? Right now, mine isn't lit by anything except ambient light and maybe some light spill from the tank. It's been cooking for about 3 weeks now. When I first stated it, I used MB7 and Dr. Tims one and only, 5mls of Vodka. A week later I added two bottle of mixed copepods and dose 1ml of phyto daily and 1ml Vodka daily to feed bacteria. A week ago I tossed a couple snails in there like I was Michael Jordan sinking a 3 pointer, it was epic, who says white boys can't jump! I do drop two or three micro pellets of fish food in daily as well. Parameters are perfect, not worried about that. Any how... back to the light question.

Most really good lfs just have a big black tub of live rock curing for sale.
No light, maybe a heater or powerhead.
Ambient room light if that applies.

 

[kevgib67]

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Most really good lfs just have a big black tub of live rock curing for sale.
No light, maybe a heater or powerhead.
Ambient room light if that applies.

Only local I have is Petco, there is obviously someone who knows there saltwater there, i think its the tall kid with curly hair. I will try to get pics of it when I'm there next time. they have a saltwater tank set up and the fish and coral are not for sale.

 

[kevgib67]

Most really good lfs just have a big black tub of live rock curing for sale.
No light, maybe a heater or powerhead.
Ambient room light if that applies.

You are correct good Sir, mine does, it looks like a plastic pond liner.

 

[kevgib67]

Only local I have is Petco, there is obviously someone who knows there saltwater there, i think its the tall kid with curly hair. I will try to get pics of it when I'm there next time. they have a saltwater tank set up and the fish and coral are not for sale.

Tall kid with curly hair? I think I know him.

 

[00W]

Only local I have is Petco, there is obviously someone who knows there saltwater there, i think its the tall kid with curly hair. I will try to get pics of it when I'm there next time. they have a saltwater tank set up and the fish and coral are not for sale.

All I have is petco here too.
The only one doing saltwater is the manager who's a tall kid with glasses and curly hair.
Go figure....

 

[kevgib67]

All I have is petco here too.
The only one doing saltwater is the manager who's a tall kid with glasses and curly hair.
Go figure....

We don’t have a Petco here but I do know a tall kid with curly hair!

 

[kevgib67]

I went back to japan for a Japanese chicken salad.

 

[00W]

 

[00W]

I went back to japan for a Japanese chicken salad.

Looks delicious Kev!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

You are correct good Sir, mine does, it looks like a plastic pond liner.

Mine does too but... there rocks have so much vermatid snails it looks like a tub full of hedgehogs..

 

[kevgib67]

Mine does too but... there rocks have so much vermatid snails it looks like a tub full of hedgehogs..

They need to throw a few hundred bumblebee snails in there ASAP ( that’s as soon as possible for you older reefers)!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

They need to throw a few hundred bumblebee snails in there ASAP ( that’s as soon as possible for you older reefers)!

I know, they could start a bumble bee snail farm fr (that's for real for all you older reefers)!