I assume this is turf algae…

[dangles]

So I assume this is turf algae? Or the beginning of GHA? Or something else?

I cycled my tank in January, added first fish end of January, then some pods in February, started my lights at 5% about halfway through March (ramping up to full power over a month), added a second jar of pods around the time I started the lights, then another jar of pods a few weeks after I started the lights. I also added a few snails and hermits early on and more slowly since then.

I decided to back the lights down to 5% and start the ramp over. I’m thinking about getting a tuxedo urchin, a Tomini tang, and maybe a lawnmower blenny. Would those help? Should I do something else?

My nutrients are on the high side of normal so I plan to reduce the interval between changing filters socks and slightly reduce feedings. I’m already doing auto water changes (15%/wk) and another 10% each weekend when I vacuum the sandbed.

I assume this is the beginning of the ugly phase. Is there anything I need to be doing differently?

Thanks!

 

[sfin52]

Could be but a newer tank this I believe to be a film algea. This is part of the process as the rocks age.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

It looks like the tank is starting to mature a little to me. I would hold off on the blenny, as they need a continuous supply of algae, from my experience. I think you can stop adding pods, as they aren't going to do much right now. I suggest some more snails, and patience. Looks good so far.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Looks like it’s progressing normally for a dry Marco start up. Stay on course with your light ramp up and as per the advice above, maybe add a few more snails. Good work on your dry rock start up so far, looks like you’ve got it under control.

 

[dangles]

For an update here’s where I am now…

This is 6 months. Is this a normal/healthy amount of green? I was hoping I was going to start seeing some purple/pink by now but just green

I feel like my CUC isn’t doing such a good job. I have about 10 trochus, 2 Mexican turbos, some ceriths, astraea, nessarius and 2 tuxedo urchins. Plus a Tomini tang. Or maybe they’re doing a great job and I just don’t see how bad it could be lol

My phos got a little out of hand for a few weeks when my AWC went down, but the algae wasn’t much worse than this before that.

 

[dangles]

My parameters…

Temp - 77.1
pH - 7.8 to 7.9
NO3 - 5.5
PO4 - 0.14 (trending down)
Alk - 9.2
Ca - 400
Mag - 1305
Salinity - 1.025

Before my AWC went down I was running phosphates in the 0.1 range give of take. Higher than I’d like but I had just started a refigium to address that and hopefully out-compete any nuisance algae. The AWC has been back up and running for a couple of weeks now too.

I was feeding on the heavy side but have backed off in the last few weeks. I’m just concerned my Yasha goby isn’t getting any food. The rest of the fish pretty much devour everything before it ever gets to the bottom

 

[dangles]

I did try more snails but for some reason I’m seeing a lot of them keep dying off. I only have a few hermits and they have sufficient empty shells lying around. I never see them harassing the snails either. A mystery for another thread I suppose.

 

[fish farmer]

For an update here’s where I am now…

This is 6 months. Is this a normal/healthy amount of green? I was hoping I was going to start seeing some purple/pink by now but just green

I feel like my CUC isn’t doing such a good job. I have about 10 trochus, 2 Mexican turbos, some ceriths, astraea, nessarius and 2 tuxedo urchins. Plus a Tomini tang. Or maybe they’re doing a great job and I just don’t see how bad it could be lol

My phos got a little out of hand for a few weeks when my AWC went down, but the algae wasn’t much worse than this before that.

That is fine.

Your rocks are going to have some sort of color...green, brown, gray, coralline pink. That is life taking over your dead rock.

Coralline can take time if is a new tank with small additions. I have great coralline growth and I added some bare rocks around February and I'm starting to see some specks of pink, but the rest of the surface is gray/green.

 

[Budman93]

For an update here’s where I am now…

This is 6 months. Is this a normal/healthy amount of green? I was hoping I was going to start seeing some purple/pink by now but just green

I feel like my CUC isn’t doing such a good job. I have about 10 trochus, 2 Mexican turbos, some ceriths, astraea, nessarius and 2 tuxedo urchins. Plus a Tomini tang. Or maybe they’re doing a great job and I just don’t see how bad it could be lol

My phos got a little out of hand for a few weeks when my AWC went down, but the algae wasn’t much worse than this before that.

Edit** I see a snail with coralline algae on it in the corner. Just keep your conditions stable and it will eventually grow in your tank. usually starts on the back glass first for whatever reason.