Coralline Algae in New tank!

[aeg5aeg]

I believe it is the carribsea life rock... what the heck the LFS told me it was a LIVE rock....

 

[twentyleagues]

I believe it is the carribsea life rock... what the heck the LFS told me it was a LIVE rock....

was it dry when you got it?

 

[aeg5aeg]

thats bacteria not coralline.

Got it... so what should i do? is there a name for this specific type of bacteria?

 

[aeg5aeg]

was it dry when you got it?

yes

 

[JumboShrimp]

In all likelihood, you will see the first evidence of coralline on something in the tank that is plastic.

 

[IceNein]

I actually did put aquavitro seed in it for the first 7 days. Is this seeding?

No. It needs something with coralline on it already. Often if you buy frags, the plugs will have some coralline on it, even if it's not visibly purple/pink. When people buy live rock, it often has coralline on it.

 

[Fish Fan]

I believe it is the carribsea life rock... what the heck the LFS told me it was a LIVE rock....

Nope, not really the same thing, unfortunately. This is a pretty common thing though, don't feel too bad :-)

 

[aeg5aeg]

No. It needs something with coralline on it already. Often if you buy frags, the plugs will have some coralline on it, even if it's not visibly purple/pink. When people buy live rock, it often has coralline on it.

So i actually realized when i placed these frags in then it started appearing...

 

[aeg5aeg]

In all likelihood, you will see the first evidence of coralline on something in the tank that is plastic.

well it looks just like that on my heater and wavemaker aswell!

 

[IceNein]

So i actually realized when i placed these frags in then it started appearing...

It is possible. Honestly just keep focusing on good husbandry and it will happen.

 

[aeg5aeg]

It is possible. Honestly just keep focusing on good husbandry and it will happen.

Trying my best! Thank you for your help

 

[JumboShrimp]

Like @IceNein is saying-- don't stress it-- let it happen as a nice surprise. ;)

 

[SaltyTwigs]

For Testing... If you can afford to spend a bit. I recommend the Hanna Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water. It is very easy and so fast and convenient to get results that don't have to be interpreted as it gives you the exact value. As for Calcium, I would go with the Salifert Calcium Aquarium Test Kit. Don't believe the Calcium Hanna test is as easy as it is worth the extra spend. Maybe someone else with experience with the Calcium Hanna checker can chime in. In any case, with the Hanna Alk test being so easy, I test with that to keep things in line, as there should be a correlation between Calcium and Alk depletion. I test for Calcium and Magnesium less frequently. Of course, my tanks are pretty dialed in, so you probably want to test all of them to see what is going on till your tank is more established. Then, there is also the fact that with a 10-gallon tank, things can change pretty quickly with the smaller water volume. So you are probably better off testing pretty regularly.

Do you have some sort of auto top-off? With smaller tank volumes, evaporation can have a significant effect on your parameters as water evaporates, but everything else stays in the tank, just more concentrated.

 

[twentyleagues]

yes

then its not live.

 

[aeg5aeg]

For Testing... If you can afford to spend a bit. I recommend the Hanna Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water. It is very easy and so fast and convenient to get results that don't have to be interpreted as it gives you the exact value. As for Calcium, I would go with the Salifert Calcium Aquarium Test Kit. Don't believe the Calcium Hanna test is as easy as it is worth the extra spend. Maybe someone else with experience with the Calcium Hanna checker can chime in. In any case, with the Hanna Alk test being so easy, I test with that to keep things in line, as there should be a correlation between Calcium and Alk depletion. I test for Calcium and Magnesium less frequently. Of course, my tanks are pretty dialed in, so you probably want to test all of them to see what is going on till your tank is more established. Then, there is also the fact that with a 10-gallon tank, things can change pretty quickly with the smaller water volume. So you are probably better off testing pretty regularly.

Do you have some sort of auto top-off? With smaller tank volumes, evaporation can have a significant effect on your parameters as water evaporates, but everything else stays in the tank, just more concentrated.

Will definitely look into those... already spent tooooo much on this tank. and currently I am a living top up system, but am very good with keeping up with it. Plus, those 4 gal jugs get me to get my workout in!

 

[rayadog]

IMHO it’s not an ASAP start testing calcium and alkalinity. Not even. I wouldn’t bother until you have something substantial gobbling up calcium; especially with the current livestock. In that small of tank you’ll probably need more regular water changes in the first several months before dosing much of that stuff. At best dose nitrifying bacteria. All of our opinions are just that though lol

BUT it would be beneficial to test to develop habits and your particular level of dedicated effort.

 

[aeg5aeg]

IMHO it’s not an ASAP start testing calcium and alkalinity. Not even. I wouldn’t bother until you have something substantial gobbling up calcium; especially with the current livestock. In that small of tank you’ll probably need more regular water changes in the first several months before dosing much of that stuff. At best dose nitrifying bacteria. All of our opinions are just that though lol

BUT it would be beneficial to test to develop habits and your particular level of dedicated effort.

I put in fritz 9 a couple days ago... the lfs even said that, however i am currently testing just to be sure. I think of fish as humans and would be heartbroken if they died. better be safe than sorry.

 

[rayadog]

You’re on the right track!

 

[Stat32luis]

For Testing... If you can afford to spend a bit. I recommend the Hanna Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water. It is very easy and so fast and convenient to get results that don't have to be interpreted as it gives you the exact value. As for Calcium, I would go with the Salifert Calcium Aquarium Test Kit. Don't believe the Calcium Hanna test is as easy as it is worth the extra spend. Maybe someone else with experience with the Calcium Hanna checker can chime in. In any case, with the Hanna Alk test being so easy, I test with that to keep things in line, as there should be a correlation between Calcium and Alk depletion. I test for Calcium and Magnesium less frequently. Of course, my tanks are pretty dialed in, so you probably want to test all of them to see what is going on till your tank is more established. Then, there is also the fact that with a 10-gallon tank, things can change pretty quickly with the smaller water volume. So you are probably better off testing pretty regularly.

Do you have some sort of auto top-off? With smaller tank volumes, evaporation can have a significant effect on your parameters as water evaporates, but everything else stays in the tank, just more concentrated.

I started with API test kit and I am upgrading everything to Hanna as there is no guessing with color charts! Currently have the Hanna Calcium, Alk, and phosphate ULR

 

[Stat32luis]

Also check with your LFS a lot of them will test everything for you for free! That’s what I did when I started about 9 months ago!