Here comes..the ugly stage
- Thread starter Sailaway
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ikaros70
Active Member
Unless you start your tank with established live rock, ugly stage is pretty much inevitable.
You could carbon dose and bump your Mag to help keep it from exploding but I haven’t been able to completely get rid of it since I rebooted my system.
Carbon dosing to keep your nitrates and phos in check will help, so will bumping your Mag up. Won’t allow it to take over the tank but it won’t completely eradicate it either.
IMO.. better to keep it to a minimum instead of allowing it to take over your tank.
My 210 has been setup for about 7 months now, so I’m getting closer to the 1 year mark and I should be good to go.
In my experience, it takes a good year for the tank to fully mature.
You could carbon dose and bump your Mag to help keep it from exploding but I haven’t been able to completely get rid of it since I rebooted my system.
Carbon dosing to keep your nitrates and phos in check will help, so will bumping your Mag up. Won’t allow it to take over the tank but it won’t completely eradicate it either.
IMO.. better to keep it to a minimum instead of allowing it to take over your tank.
My 210 has been setup for about 7 months now, so I’m getting closer to the 1 year mark and I should be good to go.
In my experience, it takes a good year for the tank to fully mature.
kevgib67
10K Club member
This is to be expected, sucks to look at but just remember it is temporary, everyone has been through it and came out on the other side. You are part of the cuc, be diligent with manual removal and keeping stable parameters. Tuxedo urchin is excellent ( biased opinion since it’s the only type of urchin I’ve owned) and I’ve heard lawnmower blennies are phenomenal but look into their temperament. People swear by turbo snails, im not a fan. Trochus and cerith snails are excellent. My emerald crab never takes a coffee break. Good luck and remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have heard conflicting results of peppermint shrimp with aptasia. My be do to a similar looking came back shrimp and being sold as a peppermint shrimp. I’ve had great luck with berghia nudibranchs.
kevgib67
10K Club member
I got mine from Reef Town , they arrived healthy and happy. Recently Tidal Gardens began selling them, also a rock solid source.
OP
OP
Sailaway
Active Member
Hey all, update on the ugly stage: my pod population has EXPLODED. amphipods and copepods everywhere..yay!! I got an urchin and that may have been the best decision I’ve ever made, he eats algae like crazy and has even eaten some Cyano. The Cyanobacteria is going away slowly, and the snails and urchin mow down the hair algae like it’s no one’s business. I got a shrimp to eat detritus and he’s doing a fantastic job with that. Aiptasia are gone except one on the powerhead that I just need to rip off. Clowns are still happy. Gonna wait a bit to get corals, but hopefully soon!
