Adding coral during diatom bloom

[PghReef]

Im using cheeto and Def plan to seed the tank with pods once I get some coral that require feeding

I've gone both ways with a new tank before. Setup using dry rock and using liverock. If you used all dry than youre in for a long journey until your tanks stable and mature. There's a lot to be said for a mature biome of not just critters, but most importantly bacteria. This can not be replicated easily with bottles and can't be rushed. The only cheat is adding true liverock.

Years ago when dry rock wasnt the big thing and corals were bought as large colonies, a lot of that biome came in on the rocks and skeletons of the corals. Now that everything is tiny frags and we cut off plugs to eliminate any chance of a pest and make ourselves feel better, we struggle to build a dully functional reef.

A lot of this is my opinion through personal experience and learning. Look at many of the threads on here regarding live vs dry and also look at the main players like Paletta, Sanjay, and so on. Even they struggled with dry rock and coral health. Numbers can test perfect and consistent, and you can still struggle to keep seemingly easy corals alive. I've been there and lived it, and will never go 100% dry again.

This isn't meant to discourage you. There are many successful tank set up using all dry that thrive. It's more work, and harder in my opinion and takes much longer but can be done. I wouldn't rush it, this is a hobby of patience. I may have missed it but I don't recall seeing what size the tank is, how old it is,what any actual parameters are measuring out at,, or your long term goals for this tank. Knowing that will help us give you the best advice possible.

 

[Don_Jorge]

I've gone both ways with a new tank before. Setup using dry rock and using liverock. If you used all dry than youre in for a long journey until your tanks stable and mature. There's a lot to be said for a mature biome of not just critters, but most importantly bacteria. This can not be replicated easily with bottles and can't be rushed. The only cheat is adding true liverock.

Years ago when dry rock wasnt the big thing and corals were bought as large colonies, a lot of that biome came in on the rocks and skeletons of the corals. Now that everything is tiny frags and we cut off plugs to eliminate any chance of a pest and make ourselves feel better, we struggle to build a dully functional reef.

A lot of this is my opinion through personal experience and learning. Look at many of the threads on here regarding live vs dry and also look at the main players like Paletta, Sanjay, and so on. Even they struggled with dry rock and coral health. Numbers can test perfect and consistent, and you can still struggle to keep seemingly easy corals alive. I've been there and lived it, and will never go 100% dry again.

This isn't meant to discourage you. There are many successful tank set up using all dry that thrive. It's more work, and harder in my opinion and takes much longer but can be done. I wouldn't rush it, this is a hobby of patience. I may have missed it but I don't recall seeing what size the tank is, how old it is,what any actual parameters are measuring out at,, or your long term goals for this tank. Knowing that will help us give you the best advice possible.

Well I should have been more clear, half is dry rock, the other half is cured live rock i meant the silicates are def from the dry rock. parameters are as follows alk 10 calcium 420 nitrates <.5 nitrites 0 ammonia 0 phosphates <.25 salinity 1.024 tanks 36 gallon 30 lbs sand from old tank 30 lbs total rock .ph 8.1 in the am. Using rodi, I had mentioned parameters were in check

 

[PghReef]

Well I should have been more clear, half is dry rock, the other half is cured live rock i meant the silicates are def from the dry rock. parameters are as follows alk 10 calcium 420 nitrates <.5 nitrites 0 ammonia 0 phosphates <.25 tanks 36 gallon 30 lbs sand from old tank 30 lbs total rock .ph 8.1 in the am. Using rodi, I had mentioned parameters were in check

If that's the case and you used true liverock and not dry thrown into a tub at the lfs for a few months you're well on your way. I had a diatom bloom from my sand. Was very minor and a cuc took care of it almost overnight. No issues with other uglies after either.

Add a CUC and I'd it clears up quickly throw in a few easy corals to test the waters.