Thats what I suspected- The power of UV will cause this even if indirect light. UV will penetrate shades-blinds-curtains.
Thanks vetteguy53081. An obvious idea… that I had not thought of!!! I will black out the end near the patio doors and see what happens next.
Yep. Gone are the days of insta-tank after an initial ammonia cycle. Live rock is thousands (if not millions) of years ahead in bacterial colonization and maturity. Trying to replicate that in a new tank with dry rock and being disappointed the first year will have you pulling your hair out and throwing everything but the kitchen sink at it. No matter what anyone says about raising nutrients, less light, yada yada yada…it’s going to take time. Embrace that you’re not doing anything wrong at all and let the biology happen. Fighting each stage along the way with the newest hot tip won’t get you anywhere and set you back even more. Enjoy your fish, change much less water and let it happen. In fact, find another hobby for the next 6 months to a year. One day you’ll look at the tank and you’ll know it’s ready.
Thank you . I like your idea of just relaxing in front of the tank … enjoying the fish. Far too easy to be fiddling around all the time.
It’s just that I’ve set up too many tanks for myself and others with dry rock and seen the exact same things happen over and over throughout the first year. The only ones that were ready for corals the fastest were the ones that I didn’t do water changes, didn’t go crazy with lighting and didn’t use chemicals, potions, and theories on. Around a year later I put some frags in it and before long it was wayyyyyyy ahead of any other tank that I was fiddling with.
Even as I agree with you I have bought in some TM All for Reef … my next potion .... or should I hold fire on that? I found a very impressive new LFS yesterday. They told me to cut back on changing the water! What a hobby of contradictions.
All for Reef is just the big three buffering. Sure…if your tank is consuming elements they’d need to be replaced, but my understanding is that all for reef has trace elements as well, which may fuel any Dinos or other undesirables much like a water change.
“… which may fuel dinos like a water change …” LOL …yet I thought water changes were the way to get rid of algae and dinos…! I think a spell of leaving well alone may be in order. Thanks for all the helpful comments everyone.
Got three myself, stunning dogs they are! Off topic- i know, and i'm sorry.. 
Thank you. What a trial it all is. Good luck with your algae. I bought another dozen snails yesterday. Do you have a varied CUC?
Ah. The bearded collie. The love of our lives. Our first dog. How beautiful they are. Any pics of yours?@peterhos not even want to comment on the disappointment of the tank, just want to congratulate you on that beauty of a Bearded Collie you have!
Happy reefing!
