I have a 24 gallon nanocube and this will be my third build with it over the years. This is my first bare bottom and first time doing 100% dry rock. I haven’t seen much advice for this method other than the vague “go slow” so I decided to document my progress. I am curious if I increase bottled bacteria and use Marine Pure if I can create a stable tank a little faster. I am using abs on the bottom and the rock was completely bleached out before use. To add surface area I decided to use 1 gallon of Marine Pure bio balls to the back chamber. I started the tank with a pair of clown fish and a bottle of Dr. Tim’s. After four weeks I turned on the lights for about 3 hours a day and added a few frags of zoas. The zoas were all dipped and I added some Microbacter XLM. I turned on the lights for 8 hours a day and after another week I started my dirty period with some common diatoms and green algae. I am currently using vibrant to keep algae to a minimum. I have a few theories to make the bare bottom and dry rock a success but I am open to ideas or criticism.
Dose more bottled bacteria. Since I have no live rock, I am going to need as much beneficial bacterial and algae as possible. I will likely add Microbacter 7 soon.
Use Marine Pure. This will add back the surface area that I am missing from having no sand.
Feed slowly. Bad algae, bacteria, aptasia etc grow faster than beneficial algae or bacteria. Any increase in nutrients will cause pest population to explode before beneficial bacteria can use it.
Dose more bottled bacteria. Since I have no live rock, I am going to need as much beneficial bacterial and algae as possible. I will likely add Microbacter 7 soon.
Use Marine Pure. This will add back the surface area that I am missing from having no sand.
Feed slowly. Bad algae, bacteria, aptasia etc grow faster than beneficial algae or bacteria. Any increase in nutrients will cause pest population to explode before beneficial bacteria can use it.
