Live Rock question.

[EtxReefer]

Kind of a tag along post from my post a couple days ago. I’m dealing with the uglies still after being cycled for 10 months. Just diatoms and hair algae. Nitrates have been at 0 for weeks (Salifert). Phosphates at .03 (hanna ulr). Have 5 fish and a good sized cleanup crew that can’t keep up. Dozen or so red legs, 3 turbos, and just got in a dozen blue legs, 2 more turbos, and a dozen nerites this afternoon.

I have a 75 gallon with about 60-70lbs of rock that was started dry. Looking to order live rock and wondering how much I’d need to seed the rest and get this ugly stage over with?

 

[vlangel]

Kind of a tag along post from my post a couple days ago. I’m dealing with the uglies still after being cycled for 10 months. Just diatoms and hair algae. Nitrates have been at 0 for weeks (Salifert). Phosphates at .03 (hanna ulr). Have 5 fish and a good sized cleanup crew that can’t keep up. Dozen or so red legs, 3 turbos, and just got in a dozen blue legs, 2 more turbos, and a dozen nerites this afternoon.

I have a 75 gallon with about 60-70lbs of rock that was started dry. Looking to order live rock and wondering how much I’d need to seed the rest and get this ugly stage over with?

I don't think you need a lot but it will still take some time for the life on the live rock to colonize your original dry rock. I don't believe that you can go wrong with adding some live rock. Another thing you can do if you know any other reef keepers in your area, you can ask for a cup of sand from their system. That is another way to add more diverse biolife.

 

[exnisstech]

IME I still have to physically remove the gha. Mine never died off from adding live rock for more biodiversity because the gha is already established. I can't hurt and probably will help but the gha isn't going to go away because you add live rock now. Ideally it's done at start up and hopefully the dry rock gets covered in good stuff first.

 

[DmitryB]

0 Nitrates may actually be contributing to the uglies!

One other thing you can consider is getting something like these grunge pouches from Gulf Live Rock.

https://gulfliverock.com/price-list/ols/products/glr-grunge

 

[areefer01]

If you want to seed with something live TBS sells silt. They also sell rubble.

On the other hand make sure you are not 0 on nutrients. Test again if you are then think about why. You can feed a bit more if you are giving only a tiny bit of kibble.

Uglies are a right of passage in this hobby. They are not that bad and everyone has gone though it at some point in their hobby lifespan.

Edit: if there is a LFS near you - you could always grab some sand or rubble from them. Just know upfront that may have its own risks associated.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I always suggest that reef systems start with live rock. That is a good thing for the long-term ... BUT... it is not likely that help your algae/bacteria problem now that nature has been given a head start. 10 months is too early to expect the passage of the ugly phase. Patience and elbow grease is the best way to help it pass faster. Scrub the offending stuff off of the rocks, blast the rocks with a turkey baster, and/or get a small Rabbitfish and maybe a little Bristle Tooth Tang to help.

 

[EtxReefer]

IME I still have to physically remove the gha. Mine never died off from adding live rock for more biodiversity because the gha is already established. I can't hurt and probably will help but the gha isn't going to go away because you add live rock now. Ideally it's done at start up and hopefully the dry rock gets covered in good stuff first.

Definitely been removing it weekly, it’s not a terrible outbreak, but I still don’t like it. Lol

0 Nitrates may actually be contributing to the uglies!

One other thing you can consider is getting something like these grunge pouches from Gulf Live Rock.

https://gulfliverock.com/price-list/ols/products/glr-grunge

I believe it was the massive amount of chaeto I had in my sump. I took out 3/4 of it today and there’s still quite a bit. I have looked into the grunge, definitely may order some with the rock.

If you want to seed with something live TBS sells silt. They also sell rubble.

On the other hand make sure you are not 0 on nutrients. Test again if you are then think about why. You can feed a bit more if you are giving only a tiny bit of kibble.

Uglies are a right of passage in this hobby. They are not that bad and everyone has gone though it at some point in their hobby lifespan.

Edit: if there is a LFS near you - you could always grab some sand or rubble from them. Just know upfront that may have its own risks associated.

I believe it was the volume of chaeto, I removed most today though. Been feeding quite a bit of lrs twice a day.

I just got back in after about 10 years out and didn’t remember my uglies being this bad. Probably just my revisionist history haha. I wish I had an lfs, closest is 2 hours.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm going to link your previous thread here so people can see what you're dealing with:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/algae-help.1171819/

From your pic in the other thread, it does look like you have some GHA and it does *look* like diatoms, but you mentioned that your tank is now 10 months old, and I mostly see diatoms run their course much earlier in a tank's life (like a couple months or so). It definitely could be diatoms at 10 months, but be mindful that it's not really dinoflagellate algae. Dino's also look brown, but can be very "stringy" looking, and can be a particularly nasty pest to deal with

 

[EtxReefer]

I'm going to link your previous thread here so people can see what you're dealing with:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/algae-help.1171819/

From your pic in the other thread, it does look like you have some GHA and it does *look* like diatoms, but you mentioned that your tank is now 10 months old, and I mostly see diatoms run their course much earlier in a tank's life (like a couple months or so). It definitely could be diatoms at 10 months, but be mindful that it's not really dinoflagellate algae. Dino's also look brown, but can be very "stringy" looking, and can be a particularly nasty pest to deal with

I think you are unfortunately right on that as it traps air bubbles during the day.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you are unfortunately right on that as it traps air bubbles during the day.

Yes, in this picture that looks more like Dino's to me

Take a look here, these can be difficult to deal with:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beating-dinoflagellates-a-complete-guide.1129648/

 

[EtxReefer]

Yes, in this picture that looks more like Dino's to me

Take a look here, these can be difficult to deal with:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beating-dinoflagellates-a-complete-guide.1129648/

I appreciate your help! I plan to get on top of these quickly.