Ugly stage

[newbreefr]

Tank is 3 months old now and barely starting ugly phase. I have a Kessila360xe at 8” and on acclimation mode starting at 8% intensity. I do have a mushroom and zoa that were added a week ago. Added 5280 pods from algae barn last night. Diatoms started about 3 days ago and now seeing some hair algae growing as well. Any tips on how to handle??

 

[Alex’s_Mini_Reef]

Tank is 3 months old now and barely starting ugly phase. I have a Kessila360xe at 8” and on acclimation mode starting at 8% intensity. I do have a mushroom and zoa that were added a week ago. Added 5280 pods from algae barn last night. Diatoms started about 3 days ago and now seeing some hair algae growing as well. Any tips on how to handle??

I’m assuming you been running the tanks with no light for a while given the color of your rock , your off on the right page adding pods definitely will help with diatom's and uglies . I would also suggest a small CUC for now to also help eat away at anything incoming and continue a monthly supply of pods + pyhto to keep them multiplying.

Iv had good luck also weekly dosing AF Life Source to introduce some biodiversity but if your able to add some live rubble that would greatly benefit you .

But mainly just wait it out

 

[TacticalBacon]

I’m assuming you been running the tanks with no light for a while given the color of your rock , your off on the right page adding pods definitely will help with diatom's and uglies . I would also suggest a small CUC for now to also help eat away at anything incoming and continue a monthly supply of pods + pyhto to keep them multiplying.

Iv had good luck also weekly dosing AF Life Source to introduce some biodiversity but if your able to add some live rubble that would greatly benefit you .

But mainly just wait it out

I added a rubble pack and it helped a lot.

 

[newbreefr]

I added a rubble pack and it helped a lot.

I’m assuming you been running the tanks with no light for a while given the color of your rock , your off on the right page adding pods definitely will help with diatom's and uglies . I would also suggest a small CUC for now to also help eat away at anything incoming and continue a monthly supply of pods + pyhto to keep them multiplying.

Iv had good luck also weekly dosing AF Life Source to introduce some biodiversity but if your able to add some live rubble that would greatly benefit you .

But mainly just wait it out

Correct. I just added the light about 2 weeks ago and I started with dry marco rock and carribsea sand. The rock on top was live from LFS. Also last week my LFS gave me a cup of their sand as well as some more rock from one of their display tank sump.
As for non-fish livestock, I have 1 Turbo snail, 2 Nassarius snails, 2 red leg hermits, serpent starfish, and a pistol shrimp for my goby.
I will be making a trip to my LFS tomorrow, any CUC in particular that might help? Will definitely be purchasing some astrea snails, any other recommendations??

 

[Alex’s_Mini_Reef]

Correct. I just added the light about 2 weeks ago and I started with dry marco rock and carribsea sand. The rock on top was live from LFS. Also last week my LFS gave me a cup of their sand as well as some more rock from one of their display tank sump.
As for non-fish livestock, I have 1 Turbo snail, 2 Nassarius snails, 2 red leg hermits, serpent starfish, and a pistol shrimp for my goby.
I will be making a trip to my LFS tomorrow, any CUC in particular that might help? Will definitely be purchasing some astrea snails, any other recommendations??

That makes sense why it growing stuff especially if it been in the sump you will usually see them go threw some uglies at first but that should benefit you but you should be fine with the CUC you have for now. Definitely once you see the other rocks change color you should be good to add some Astrea snails and some Cerith snails , I have a Strawberry Conch that takes care of my sandbed. But mainly wait it out the last thing you want to do is not enough food for you CUC.

 

[Lavey29]

Good job keeping lights off first few months. Slowly ramp up now. Diatoms will go away on their own. Start developing a diverse cleaner crew as the need arises with tuxedo urchins and scarlet hermits along with a variety of snails. Daily manual removal of GHA. Weekly water changes and focus on keeping good parameters.

 

[newbreefr]

That makes sense why it growing stuff especially if it been in the sump you will usually see them go threw some uglies at first but that should benefit you but you should be fine with the CUC you have for now. Definitely once you see the other rocks change color you should be good to add some Astrea snails and some Cerith snails , I have a Strawberry Conch that takes care of my sandbed. But mainly wait it out the last thing you want to do is not enough food for you CUC.

Sounds good! Yeah, I had 2 astrea snails not too long ago but they ended up dying. Pretty sure from lack of food. This is my first tank so that was definitely a learning experience haha

 

[newbreefr]

Good job keeping lights off first few months. Slowly ramp up now. Diatoms will go away on their own. Start developing a diverse cleaner crew as the need arises with tuxedo urchins and scarlet hermits along with a variety of snails. Daily manual removal of GHA. Weekly water changes and focus on keeping good parameters.

Sounds good! Yeah, this is my first marine tank so not so sure what I’m doing but it’s good to hear I’m doing some things right haha! My LFS sells tuxedo urchins so I’ll look into one once called for. As for snails, I have 1 turbo snail, any others you’d recommend?

 

[Lavey29]

Sounds good! Yeah, this is my first marine tank so not so sure what I’m doing but it’s good to hear I’m doing some things right haha! My LFS sells tuxedo urchins so I’ll look into one once called for. As for snails, I have 1 turbo snail, any others you’d recommend?

What size is the tank? You want trochus Estrella, nacarius and bumblebee snails along with couple turbos. Add as needed though.

 

[newbreefr]

What size is the tank? You want trochus Estrella, nacarius and bumblebee snails along with couple turbos. Add as needed though.

It’s a 15Gal AIO Innovation Marine Nuvo

 

[Lavey29]

It’s a 15Gal AIO Innovation Marine Nuvo

Weekly water changes are essential for nano tank. One tuxedo urchin, 5 scarlet hermits and some snails.

 

[newbreefr]

Weekly water changes are essential for nano tank. One tuxedo urchin, 5 scarlet hermits and some snails.

Sounds good. My water changes are on Saturdays, but would I be adding fuel for the algae by replenishing nutrients with water change?

 

[Lavey29]

Sounds good. My water changes are on Saturdays, but would I be adding fuel for the algae by replenishing nutrients with water change?

You're going to experience a variety of ugly stages throughout the first year irregardless. Nano tanks can go bad fast but weekly water changes help keep them in balance. Get a small live wet ocean rock or two and Jumpstart your biome and help minimize yoyr first year ugly phases.