Reef not maturing

[hellasinc]

Hey guys,

Need some advice on my 25 galling nano tank. It's been running about 1 year now but everything in the tank is still basically new, no coraline algae grown other than some brown algae on the top part of the rocks which my snails refuse to eat . Any advice?? I was thinking of adding some coral in a couple of weeks if anyone can recommend some really easy corals it would be appreciated.

 

[kevgib67]

If your parameters are good some easy beginner corals are gsp and zoas that I would put on individual rocks. Mushrooms, a leather coral like sinularia. If you want to dip your toes in lps, duncans are very hardy. I would also add a couple fish to keep nitrates and phosphates up as well. Good luck.

 

[hatfielj]

Hey guys,

Need some advice on my 25 galling nano tank. It's been running about 1 year now but everything in the tank is still basically new, no coraline algae grown other than some brown algae on the top part of the rocks which my snails refuse to eat . Any advice?? I was thinking of adding some coral in a couple of weeks if anyone can recommend some really easy corals it would be appreciated.

That looks like brand new rock. You say the tank has been running for a year?? That seems hard to believe.

Question, what did you add to the tank when you first set it up? What have you added to it since? You obviously started with completely dry rock. If I were you, I'd buy a piece of Australian real live rock from Tank Stop and add it to the tank. This will bring in all the biodiversity that you're missing and actually allow the tank to mature. Give it a few months after that and you'll start to see a lot of changes.

 

[jonelder68]

looks like dry rock was used? Unfortunately I’m finding it takes along time as well. I’ve added ocean live rock and sand to help seed it and speed up the process. Adding corals will help bring in some biome as well. Just be patient it takes awhile. With dry rock you need to add in rock, coral, or some sand to introduce coralline and all the biome like a mature tank has.

 

[Mac8128]

Just a suggestion..........look at the nano package from Tampa Bay Saltwater. Adding a small amount of high quality live rock and live sand will really jump start the bio-diversity in your tank. My tank immediately started growing coralline algae and has a number of very beneficial organisms in both the sand and rock. Take a look at my tank build and while it may not be the best possible example, I am extremely satisfied with it's progress.

 

[hellasinc]

Just a suggestion..........look at the nano package from Tampa Bay Saltwater. Adding a small amount of high quality live rock and live sand will really jump start the bio-diversity in your tank. My tank immediately started growing coralline algae and has a number of very beneficial organisms in both the sand and rock. Take a look at my tank build and while it may not be the best possible example, I am extremely satisfied with it's progress.

Mind me ask I have a red sea reef50 tank light aany recommendation on the intensity of blue and whites?

 

[hellasinc]

looks like dry rock was used? Unfortunately I’m finding it takes along time as well. I’ve added ocean live rock and sand to help seed it and speed up the process. Adding corals will help bring in some biome as well. Just be patient it takes awhile. With dry rock you need to add in rock, coral, or some sand to introduce coralline and all the biome like a mature tank has.

Mind me ask I have a red sea reef50 tank light aany recommendation on the intensity of blue and whites?

 

[Quietman]

First of all, great start. After a year and you only have a little brown algae is good.

You'll definitely find it easier going at first with soft corals. Add fish after corals get established.

You're going to notice other 'pests' as the tank matures with livestock but a great start.

If you have the money before adding anything I would consider some rubble/sand (just as a starter) from Tampa Bay. That'll help prevent a lot the uglies. Add it to you sump/sand/filter area. Leave lights off for a month then proceed.

Good luck!

 

[jonelder68]

Mind me ask I have a red sea reef50 tank light aany recommendation on the intensity of blue and whites?

I would just set the spectrum to a blend of color that you like and then adjust the intensity/par to whatever coral you plan on adding.

 

[hellasinc]

First of all, great start. After a year and you only have a little brown algae is good.

You'll definitely find it easier going at first with soft corals. Add fish after corals get established.

You're going to notice other 'pests' as the tank matures with livestock but a great start.

If you have the money before adding anything I would consider some rubble/sand (just as a starter) from Tampa Bay. That'll help prevent a lot the uglies. Add it to you sump/sand/filter area. Leave lights off for a month then proceed.

Good luck!

I already have 3 fish inside 1 clownfish 1 yellow wrasse and a dottyback and 3 astra snails and 2 mexican turbos for about a year now. I did add a small piece of live rock in the sump about 7 months ago but after a year tank looks new. I'm planning on adding gsp and maybe zoas in 2 weeks maybe that will help it mature.

 

[Quietman]

I already have 3 fish inside 1 clownfish 1 yellow wrasse and a dottyback and 3 astra snails and 2 mexican turbos for about a year now. I did add a small piece of live rock in the sump about 7 months ago but after a year tank looks new. I'm planning on adding gsp and maybe zoas in 2 weeks maybe that will help it mature.

Even more impressive. You're doing something right. Go slowly with the corals. Your tank is likely very stable and change will need to be slow to prevent it going too far out of balance. If your parameters support it you could get some a frag or two of inexpensive SPS and see how it goes. If you like SPS, that is. I'm more softie/LPS.

 

[hellasinc]

Even more impressive. You're doing something right. Go slowly with the corals. Your tank is likely very stable and change will need to be slow to prevent it going too far out of balance. If your parameters support it you could get some a frag or two of inexpensive SPS and see how it goes. If you like SPS, that is. I'm more softie/LPS.

Yeah I was going to go with simple lps/soft probably gsp and maybe zoas

 

[Tahoe61]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-not-maturing.1156398/