CUC and Coraline algae?

[BContos]

I recently got some aquacultered rocks that have the most beautiful coraline algae. I’m getting my clean up crew this weekend (snails, peppermint shrimp, crabs-hermit and emerald- and pencil urchin) will these guys eat my coraline algae? I want it to spread its so pretty!

 

[Chrisv.]

The urchin is the only one who will eat it.

 

[BContos]

The urchin is the only one who will eat it.

Would supplemental feeding prevent this? I really wanted that urchin

 

[Chrisv.]

Would supplemental feeding prevent this? I really wanted that urchin

How big is the tank and how many lbs of rock?

 

[BContos]

70 gallon tank with about 70 lbs of rock. 10 being aquacultered with lots of coraline and 15 being established from my LFS and having touches of it here and there

 

[BContos]

 

[Chrisv.]

Honestly I would get the urchin later, after the calcareous algae has encrusted the rocks. It doesn't have to be a "never" thing. It's just in opposition to your goal of having the algae spread. Once it's really taken hold, no reason not to revisit the urchin. If your tank is covered in other algae the urchin may go for that first. But why gamble when you can have both if you wait a bit?

 

[Chrisv.]

Very nice tank! I think you're going to be really glad you started with established rock rather than dry rock. Off to a great start!

 

[Jekyl]

I recently got some aquacultered rocks that have the most beautiful coraline algae. I’m getting my clean up crew this weekend (snails, peppermint shrimp, crabs-hermit and emerald- and pencil urchin) will these guys eat my coraline algae? I want it to spread its so pretty!

In no time you will looking at the same coraline as a nuisance.

 

[Chrisv.]

In no time you will looking at the same coraline as a nuisance.

And THAT is the perfect time to buy an urchin!

 

[BContos]

Very nice tank! I think you're going to be really glad you started with established rock rather than dry rock. Off to a great start!

I will wait awhile on the pencil urchin! Good thinking! And thank you! A lot of love and time has come together to make this tank and I’m really happy with it!

 

[BContos]

In no time you will looking at the same coraline as a nuisance.

Really? How long before it spreads you think?

 

[Jekyl]

Really? How long before it spreads you think?

Idk with it being a new tank. Eventually it grows all over the glass and powerheads. It's like scraping plaster.

 

[Chrisv.]

Really? How long before it spreads you think?

Meh 6 months to a year, probably. If you keep you calcium, mg, and alkalinity up.

 

[BContos]

Are these textured pieces coraline or something else?

 

[Chrisv.]

Can you take a pic under white light?

 

[BContos]

 

[BContos]

Can you take a pic under white light?

This is one I took the day it came in with ambient room lighting. I’ll take a better picture with the tanks white light zoomed in when I go home for lunch

 

[BContos]

 

[Chrisv.]

I see coraline, some filamentous algae, and some sponges in this picture.

Those barnacles you incorporated in your aquascape will be the PERFECT home for a tailspot blenny. They love to tuck in to little holes like that and if you buy one, I promise it will give you hours of entertainment. They are not the most visually striking fish out there, but man they are comical.