Adding coral to a new tank and algae?

[Pimba]

Is it bad to add coral to a new tank since it's NOT yet matured and you need to have lights on for the coral which could great algae blooms?

What should you do to add corals after cycling is finished and not get any algae issues?

 

[blaxsun]

A UV will help.

 

[Waters]

I wish I knew the answer to that......my last tank I tried everything to keep algae at bay while still adding coral early on. The SPS were fine, but algae took over the tank......even with UV, low nutrient levels, automatic daily water changes, etc. I am trying a different method this time (starting with dry rock and BB) by using a few pieces of live rock to seed the tank and daily bacteria dosing....along with leaving lights off for a few months.....hoping to give the bacteria time to help outcompete the algae. That being said.....I think the likelihood of algae growth is pretty high regardless....just a matter of keeping it in control until the tank maturity moves you past those stages.

 

[Pimba]

I wish I knew the answer to that......my last tank I tried everything to keep algae at bay while still adding coral early on. The SPS were fine, but algae took over the tank......even with UV, low nutrient levels, automatic daily water changes, etc. I am trying a different method this time (starting with dry rock and BB) by using a few pieces of live rock to seed the tank and daily bacteria dosing....along with leaving lights off for a few months.....hoping to give the bacteria time to help outcompete the algae. That being said.....I think the likelihood of algae growth is pretty high regardless....just a matter of keeping it in control until the tank maturity moves you past those stages.

What if you use those tangs clean up crew? Aren't they great algea eaters?

 

[fishkeepersaltnfresh]

How about an urchin? I had a bad case of algae bloom. Tried all non-chemical methods (lights off, daily water change, etc). then purchased a UV light and a pin cushion urchin. Tank never looked better.

 

[Waters]

What if you use those tangs clean up crew? Aren't they great algea eaters?

I know a lot of people will disagree.....but I think CUC are overrated lol. I had Rabbitfish, two urchins, numerous snails of different types, and a sea hare and it still could not keep up with the GHA growth...even with manual removal to keep it short. To answer your question though, yes, Tangs are usually very good algae eaters.

 

[jfoahs04]

Is it bad to add coral to a new tank since it's NOT yet matured and you need to have lights on for the coral which could great algae blooms?

What should you do to add corals after cycling is finished and not get any algae issues?

I don't think it's "bad." But I do think it's a personal choice. I like to use cured/established live rocks to start a tank. My previous two have all been started with rocks that came with zoas, mushrooms, and all sorts of other coral, sponges, etc. So they all rode out the cycle (thankfully, all live rock generally limits the extent of the cycle), the uglies, and subsequent algae blooms.

So I don't think it's a huge issue. I'd make sure you have adequate flow, decent light, and manageable nutrients so you can hopefully minimize the impact of the algae. I'd also start with some "easy" corals that can tolerate fluctuations and the occasional algae bloom.