Is there any way to end the ugly stage early

tyreefkeeper

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 30, 2023
Messages
95
Reaction score
44
Location
New York
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi I'm going through the ugly stage now and my tank has 2 clowns and no corals (yet). Is there a way to end the ugly stage early or speed it up
 

Formulator

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 14, 2024
Messages
2,507
Reaction score
2,633
Location
Saint Louis, MO, USA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not really. You are earning your reefer badge! Be patient and don’t try to speed things up. You may find some questionable products if you keep searching on this topic, but I would strongly urge you not to try any of them as they often lead to much worse problems.

This hobby is all about patience and new reefers all struggle with this. Some can’t take it and do real damage to their systems, some eventually quit the hobby.
 
Upvote 0

Enrique7

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 29, 2022
Messages
43
Reaction score
26
Location
MiamiSan Juan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Million dollar question without a real answer.. haha
What is your setup? Any live rock?

Some pointers
- reduce your white light or black out tank for a couple of days.
- Add some Copepods
- Add live phyto to help control some of the phosphates being released by the new rock
- add some live rock or at least some pieces from an established tank
- ive heard a uv filter can help, but haven’t tried it.
Forget “snake oil” remedies. I like the Hydrospace PNS Products but not sure about the rest.
And last but most important, be patient. You will get there! Best of luck!
 
Upvote 0

bozo

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2015
Messages
498
Reaction score
154
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
It took my tank about rougly 1 to 1.5 years to completely through the ugly stage for each of my tanks over the years.

It was completely tough to see it go through it, but keep the dosing, water changes, and levels consistent and you'll get through it.

Very rewarding after you are out of it.

Patience is key.
 
Upvote 0

BristleWormHater

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 4, 2024
Messages
2,728
Reaction score
3,394
Location
Roswell, GA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Million dollar question without a real answer.. haha
What is your setup? Any live rock?

Some pointers
- reduce your white light or black out tank for a couple of days.
- Add some Copepods
- Add live phyto to help control some of the phosphates being released by the new rock
- add some live rock or at least some pieces from an established tank
- ive heard a uv filter can help, but haven’t tried it.
Forget “snake oil” remedies. I like the Hydrospace PNS Products but not sure about the rest.
And last but most important, be patient. You will get there! Best of luck!
Good advice, but if you decide to get a uv sterilizer don't bother with phyto or copepods it will kill them.
 
Upvote 0

bozo

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2015
Messages
498
Reaction score
154
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Good advice, but if you decide to get a uv sterilizer don't bother with phyto or copepods it will kill them.
I would have to agree here.

I have had a 52 watt Aqua UV on my 50 gallon total volume tank (overkill forsure) and I do not have and pods. This particular tank has been up for 2 years now.

Even though I breed pods and phyto for the past year and dose every week.

But I would never run a tank with out a UV. Just my personal preference.
 
Upvote 0

Formulator

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 14, 2024
Messages
2,507
Reaction score
2,633
Location
Saint Louis, MO, USA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
What should I do to get coralline algae grow faster?
LOL. I understand you want to enjoy your tank, but there just isn’t a great way to do it. Just be patient like the rest of us were. Live rock is a great suggestion, but still not a quick fix.
 
Upvote 0

BeanAnimal

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
5,169
Reaction score
8,283
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My reef is over 20 years old. To this day, If I toss in a piece of dry rock our pour in dry aragonite sand, it takes months to progress through the uglies and look like it belongs in the reef. It is just they natural progression, there is no way around it.
 
Upvote 0

KrisReef

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
May 15, 2018
Messages
15,319
Reaction score
31,452
Location
ADX Florence
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Early Childhood Education Magic GIF by Khan Academy Kids
 
Upvote 0

TOP 10 Trending Threads

DO YOU DIP YOUR NEW CORALS? WHY OR WHY NOT?

  • Yes, I always dip my new coral.

    Votes: 55 48.2%
  • It depends on the type of coral/where I got it from.

    Votes: 36 31.6%
  • No, I never dip my new coral.

    Votes: 21 18.4%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 2 1.8%
Back
Top