Do I need to dose vibrant?

[Andynz2000]

Nitrates 3.1, phosphates 0.03.
Do I need to dose vibrant?

 

[Opes]

I don't think so. You numbers look good. You will go through some phases of algae growth and such with your tank so new. I would keep the numbers in check, have a good clean up crew, and try to ride it out through the new tank "ugly" phases. I wouldn't go for any quick fixes.

 

[Duffer]

No, those numbers are perfect…vibrant is used to fight some algae,especially bubble algae…if you use vibrant it could bottom out those nutrients in a heart beat

 

[Miami Reef]

+1 no vibrant needed.

What sand are you using?

 

[Spare time]

No not at all. However, you can use products like vibrant (vibrant, waste away, fritz sludge remover, microbacter clean) lightly once a week or so to add competition for algae in a new tank. However, I would be cautious when approaching near 0 nitrate and phosphate. These products are great but are often misunderstood and lead to people bottoming out nitrate and phosphate.


PS that rockwork is awesome looking

 

[Andynz2000]

No not at all. However, you can use products like vibrant (vibrant, waste away, fritz sludge remover, microbacter clean) lightly once a week or so to add competition for algae in a new tank. However, I would be cautious when approaching near 0 nitrate and phosphate. These products are great but are often misunderstood and lead to people bottoming out nitrate and phosphate.


PS that rockwork is awesome looking

Thanks it literally took me days hah.. so do those products lower nitrate? I think I might just stay my course with manual removal and water changes. I’ve turned down the white light and my refugium seems to be working well, my nutrients stay low but wondering when the ugly stage would be over

 

[Andynz2000]

+1 no vibrant needed.

What sand are you using?

 

[Spare time]

Thanks it literally took me days hah.. so do those products lower nitrate? I think I might just stay my course with manual removal and water changes. I’ve turned down the white light and my refugium seems to be working well, my nutrients stay low but wondering when the ugly stage would be over

Yes they can lower nitrate and phosphate (or consuming waste and detritus before they can turn into said products; companies are bad at detailing their products lol). Dr Tim's waste away gel is a less aggressive alternative that you might like

 

[Wasabiroot]

Vibrant is better used as a tool of last resort, a sledgehammer if you will. It's very effective against an extensive bubble algae infestation. Your situation doesn't look very bad - increasing your cleanup crew would likely help reduce most of the algae.

 

[a.t.t.r]

Do not use it it will kill off all the micro flora as it is a polyquat algicide and depending on how stable your tank already is will be a huge invitation for Dino’s.

 

[Andynz2000]

Vibrant is better used as a tool of last resort, a sledgehammer if you will. It's very effective against an extensive bubble algae infestation. Your situation doesn't look very bad - increasing your cleanup crew would likely help reduce most of the algae.

I currently have three hermits, 5 zombie snails , a conch snail(that’s been burrowed for a week), a turbo snail, a lawnmower blenny and a blue tang. What else should I get ? Shrimp?

 

[Wasabiroot]

A few more turbos (make sure not Mexican) or a few Trochus snails. It kind of depends on the tank size. But turbos love the algae that grows in the ugly phase.

 

[Spare time]

Do not use it it will kill off all the micro flora as it is a polyquat algicide and depending on how stable your tank already is will be a huge invitation for Dino’s.

Ah I forgot about his macro.


OP in this case you would be better off with the other brands recommended.

 

[Spare time]

A few more turbos (make sure not Mexican) or a few Trochus snails. It kind of depends on the tank size. But turbos love the algae that grows in the ugly phase.

What do you not like about the mexican turbos? (just curious)

 

[Wasabiroot]

Occasionally stores will import turbo snails from the Gulf of Mexico. The waters there are cooler and so they do not adjust well to normal reef tank temperature. Most retailers will specify the origin, or they won't be wild caught. Just a minor thing to look out for.

 

[Spare time]

Occasionally stores will import turbo snails from the Gulf of Mexico. The waters there are cooler and so they do not adjust well to normal reef tank temperature. Most retailers will specify the origin, or they won't be wild caught. Just a minor thing to look out for.

Weirdly enough, the one's I have have been in my tank for a few years haha. I am pretty sure they are mexican turbos (or at least some of them) but maybe not though lol.

 

[Wasabiroot]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. But the long and short of it is you likely are good to avoid Vibrant. Not bashing the product (it has its uses) but I agree with the above that it will mess up your biome especially with nutrients that are low like yours. Your current plan is working fine.

One thing I found helped speed up my ugly phase was adding a piece of seeded rock from my LFS. I believe this brought some pods with it.