Colored Live Rocks

Kstetics6

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Hello, I’m aware of having purple rocks from coralline algae. But my rocks look more dark green/hints of red grey (see photo below)

I want to take action so my rocks aren’t covered in ****, I was poking around I think my microbiology is out of wack, I’m planning on clearing the rocks of debris with a turkey baster and really clean the sand… And dose some phytoplankton and Microbacter7 (I had a problem with diatoms but that was me being dumb and over feeding)

IMG_5934.png
 

BristleWormHater

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Hello, I’m aware of having purple rocks from coralline algae. But my rocks look more dark green/hints of red grey (see photo below)

I want to take action so my rocks aren’t covered in ****, I was poking around I think my microbiology is out of wack, I’m planning on clearing the rocks of debris with a turkey baster and really clean the sand… And dose some phytoplankton and Microbacter7 (I had a problem with diatoms but that was me being dumb and over feeding)

IMG_5934.png
I heard that tip when I got into this don't blow off the rocks and especially not the sand. It will do way more harm than good, you will disturb anaerobic bacteria and get hydrogen sulfide in the water column you will also disturb detritus deposits. Both those things are bad for everything in the tank, it could even kill your fish if there is a lot. I don't see any clean up crew in your picture, you need one. Cerith snails, trochus snails, a few hermits will work. Also you just need to wait for your tank to establish a biome, a lot of this new tank algae goes away in a few months. Finally do NOT dose anything like chemiclean in a new tank it will ruin the balance of your tank and you'll be stuck in a never ending cycle.
Hope this helps :)
 

Solo McReefer

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Hello, I’m aware of having purple rocks from coralline algae. But my rocks look more dark green/hints of red grey (see photo below)

I want to take action so my rocks aren’t covered in ****, I was poking around I think my microbiology is out of wack, I’m planning on clearing the rocks of debris with a turkey baster and really clean the sand… And dose some phytoplankton and Microbacter7 (I had a problem with diatoms but that was me being dumb and over feeding)

IMG_5934.png
They have to go through that phase before the coralline starts to grow

It's just part of the tank and rocks maturing

Eventually they will darken, and the good stuff will start to grow

You will notice coralline on the sides and wavemakers probably first

Ostensibly, you want all the rock covered in corals, correct?
 
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Kstetics6

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I heard that tip when I got into this don't blow off the rocks and especially not the sand. It will do way more harm than good, you will disturb anaerobic bacteria and get hydrogen sulfide in the water column you will also disturb detritus deposits. Both those things are bad for everything in the tank, it could even kill your fish if there is a lot. I don't see any clean up crew in your picture, you need one. Cerith snails, trochus snails, a few hermits will work. Also you just need to wait for your tank to establish a biome, a lot of this new tank algae goes away in a few months. Finally do NOT dose anything like chemiclean in a new tank it will ruin the balance of your tank and you'll be stuck in a never ending cycle.
Hope this helps :)
Hey! Thanks for the reply I really appreciate your knowledge… I added 3 hermits about a week ago. I’m going to pickup some snails as I write this haha. Anyways, I think I should just not stress, I plan on staying in this hobby for a long time.
 
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Kstetics6

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I heard that tip when I got into this don't blow off the rocks and especially not the sand. It will do way more harm than good, you will disturb anaerobic bacteria and get hydrogen sulfide in the water column you will also disturb detritus deposits. Both those things are bad for everything in the tank, it could even kill your fish if there is a lot. I don't see any clean up crew in your picture, you need one. Cerith snails, trochus snails, a few hermits will work. Also you just need to wait for your tank to establish a biome, a lot of this new tank algae goes away in a few months. Finally do NOT dose anything like chemiclean in a new tank it will ruin the balance of your tank and you'll be stuck in a never ending cycle.
Hope this helps :)
Another question… can the algae I have on my rock now turn into Coralline algae?
 
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Kstetics6

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They have to go through that phase before the coralline starts to grow

It's just part of the tank and rocks maturing

Eventually they will darken, and the good stuff will start to grow

You will notice coralline on the sides and wavemakers probably first

Ostensibly, you want all the rock covered in corals, correct?
Hello! Thanks for the reply, thanks for clarifying there is so much to know and learn in reefkeeping.
I’d love to have both rocks covered in as much coral as possible yes just want to make sure I won’t suffocate them, I’ll wait for them to fully mature.
 

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The most important things for coralline algae are light, nutrients (Ca,kH, NO3, PO4), and time. Not sure what light that is on the tank but it would help to upgrade for both algae and coral growth.
 
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Kstetics6

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The most important things for coralline algae are light, nutrients (Ca,kH, NO3, PO4), and time. Not sure what light that is on the tank but it would help to upgrade for both algae and coral growth.
Recently added a hydra 26, got for 130 on eBay! Tanks doing good since adding hermits algae is going away
 

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