Can 'old' algae act as food for a CUC?

[Ioncewaslegend]

Hey, all. I got a piece of formerly-live, then dead rock when I purchased a tank of Craigslist a while back. I soaked it for a day or two in RODI water, let it dry out for 3 or 4 days, and then used it in my current tank (up and running).

There's still some 'dead' algae on it (see attached picture). I didn't scrub it off because, honestly, I didn't see it (it's colorless, kind of adhered to the rock when it was dry), and so far it appears to be completely dead: it hasn't grown, hasn't spread, and all of it's still colorless. I'd still like to get it off the rock if possible, though, so I'm curious if this would still be able to act as food for a CUC and, if so, what species would be good to use. Thanks!

 

[Auquanut]

I wouldn't worry about algae or hitchhikers. I'd be more cautious about the dead organics raising your NO3 and PO4 or possibly causing a "mini cycle". Raising the free ammonia faster than your bacteria can process it. I'm sure your CUC will do it's job, but you may want to monitor your parameters a little closely for a while and be ready to do a water change if need be.

 

[Ioncewaslegend]

Yeah, that was one of my concerns as well, and something I've tried to address by monitoring my ammonia/nitrite/nitrate daily. I'm more concerned about excess nitrates (my cycle completed in just under seven days so the bacteria are banging along, and both ammonia/nitrite are at zero).

I'll likely get a phosphate test kit soon, but I have a protein skimmer up and running as well as a filter sponge with phosphate remover/chemipure blue.

That was also part of why I asked if this would work as food so I could try and get it cleaned out.

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

Your cleanup crew will likely eat some of it. The bigger issue is that it will rot and raise your nutrient levels. You're best bet is to just pull it out and scrub it before anything happens and then put it back.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Its best to prevent the problem than to try and fix it later.