Color of Live Rock

jimmy3323 · Nov 22, 2013

I have been dealing with a large phosphate issue for several months. I have gotten the levels down to .25 and have been for a few weeks. My nitrates are around 10 and I am just curious if others think my rock is too green, like algae green. I can see some coralline algae growing and has a good purple color, but as this is my first tank I dont have much to go on. I want to add some corals, zoas, soon but would just like hear what others think..

Thanks

mike007 · Nov 22, 2013

It looks like you have a good start of corraline. The green algae will go away in time once your phosphates and nitrates stablize. Hope that you are using rodi water.

jimmy3323 · Nov 22, 2013

mike007 said:
Hope that you are using rodi water.

Yes I am using rodi water from the Critter. Think Santa will be bringing me a RODI system for Christmas!! It wont hurt to add zoas now would it?

rcmike · Nov 22, 2013

I'd get that chocolate chip starfish out first. It'll eat corals.

cee · Nov 23, 2013

rcmike said:
I'd get that chocolate chip starfish out first. It'll eat corals.

True, true!

If that whelk is alive I'd remove it too for the same reasons.

jimmy3323 · Nov 23, 2013

Yup starfish will be gone...not sure what a whelk is!! LOL.

NanaReefer · Nov 23, 2013

Wouldn't hurt to use a little PhosGuard to get those PO4's down. Just place a small bag in a high flow area. Works great, clean & easy.

rcmike · Nov 23, 2013

It's a type of predatory snail. Are all those shells laying around empty?

jimmy3323 · Nov 23, 2013

NanaReefer said:
Wouldn't hurt to use a little PhosGuard to get those PO4's down. Just place a small bag in a high flow area. Works great, clean & easy.

Yup I am running Phosguard and have been for some time helping get my Phophates down. I usually change out every 4-5 days.

jimmy3323 · Nov 23, 2013

rcmike said:
It's a type of predatory snail. Are all those shells laying around empty?

Yes most of the large shells are empty...put in for effect I guess LOL. I have a large CUC from reefcleaners and they have been in about 2 weeks or so.

rcmike · Nov 23, 2013

Oh wait, I see the whelk now to the left of the clam on the rock. It's the snail with the pointy snout sticking out. I had to zoom in because the picture was too small to see it on my ipad mini. I had identical to that in my tank years ago that never seemed to cause any damage before I knew what it was but I would probably remove it to be safe.

jimmy3323 · Nov 25, 2013

mike007 said:
It looks like you have a good start of corraline. The green algae will go away in time once your phosphates and nitrates stabilize. Hope that you are using rodi water.

What is considered stabilized phosphates and nitrates? I was looking at the LED Nano Cube at the critter and they tested nitrates btn 20-40 and they have a refugium running....no algae like Ive got...what can I do different? I was actually advised against the refugium by one the employees that it wouldnt help in my size tank...opinions?