Back into reefing hobby after 20+ year hiatus. I have a 100g rubbermaid tub that I added 200 lbs of live rock from an established FOWLR tank and sand. Placed sand then plastic tile on top, then established live rock on top, see pictures. Added about 50 lbs of BRS Marco dry rock. Circulation is with EcoTech MP60 for water flow. No heater (water temp 77 degrees), no lights from February to mid May. In sense, guess you could call "dark cure". Have ATI T5 bulbs and reef brite 03 actinics over last 2-3 weeks. Green algae is growing, does not look like hair algae, more firm in nature.
1. I think going through UGLY phase due to adding light. YES, I could go dark again BUT GOAL is to have all rock, sand "cycled" so when I setup main display tank, I can just transfer all Live Rock, marco dry rock, sand over and avoid the ugly phase.
2. pH 8.0, NH3 barely detectable, salinity 1.026, Phosphate 0.15, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 40ppm. have NOT done water change yet to lower nitrates.
3. Should I start adding CUC, urchins, Fish at this point?
4. Will green algae go away on its own over time?
Appreciate the advice.
1. I think going through UGLY phase due to adding light. YES, I could go dark again BUT GOAL is to have all rock, sand "cycled" so when I setup main display tank, I can just transfer all Live Rock, marco dry rock, sand over and avoid the ugly phase.
2. pH 8.0, NH3 barely detectable, salinity 1.026, Phosphate 0.15, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 40ppm. have NOT done water change yet to lower nitrates.
3. Should I start adding CUC, urchins, Fish at this point?
4. Will green algae go away on its own over time?
Appreciate the advice.