Is there any way to end the ugly stage early

[tyreefkeeper]

Hi I'm going through the ugly stage now and my tank has 2 clowns and no corals (yet). Is there a way to end the ugly stage early or speed it up

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Live ocean rock, live ocean sand. How long has your tank been running? Which part of the ugly stage are you in? Picture of your tank may help.

 

[Formulator]

Not really. You are earning your reefer badge! Be patient and don’t try to speed things up. You may find some questionable products if you keep searching on this topic, but I would strongly urge you not to try any of them as they often lead to much worse problems.

This hobby is all about patience and new reefers all struggle with this. Some can’t take it and do real damage to their systems, some eventually quit the hobby.

 

[Enrique7]

Million dollar question without a real answer.. haha
What is your setup? Any live rock?

Some pointers
- reduce your white light or black out tank for a couple of days.
- Add some Copepods
- Add live phyto to help control some of the phosphates being released by the new rock
- add some live rock or at least some pieces from an established tank
- ive heard a uv filter can help, but haven’t tried it.
Forget “snake oil” remedies. I like the Hydrospace PNS Products but not sure about the rest.
And last but most important, be patient. You will get there! Best of luck!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Add live rock.

 

[bozo]

It took my tank about rougly 1 to 1.5 years to completely through the ugly stage for each of my tanks over the years.

It was completely tough to see it go through it, but keep the dosing, water changes, and levels consistent and you'll get through it.

Very rewarding after you are out of it.

Patience is key.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Will coralline algae help ?

 

[Formulator]

Will coralline algae help ?

Yes, but not in a bottle . When you start to see coralline naturally occurring, it is a sign the end is near

 

[bozo]

Yes, but not in a bottle . When you start to see coralline naturally occurring, it is a sign the end is near

I have to agree that when I started seeing coralline take over the plastic and the back wall, it out competed the space where GHA would have normally taken.

 

[slingfox]

Live rock and live sand will speed up the tank maturity cycle tremendously.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Million dollar question without a real answer.. haha
What is your setup? Any live rock?

Some pointers
- reduce your white light or black out tank for a couple of days.
- Add some Copepods
- Add live phyto to help control some of the phosphates being released by the new rock
- add some live rock or at least some pieces from an established tank
- ive heard a uv filter can help, but haven’t tried it.
Forget “snake oil” remedies. I like the Hydrospace PNS Products but not sure about the rest.
And last but most important, be patient. You will get there! Best of luck!

Good advice, but if you decide to get a uv sterilizer don't bother with phyto or copepods it will kill them.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

What should I do to get coralline algae grow faster?

 

[KrisReef]

Hi I'm going through the ugly stage now and my tank has 2 clowns and no corals (yet). Is there a way to end the ugly stage early or speed it up

Get rid of the clowns, drain the tank and sell it.

 

[GlassMunky]

Live rock and sand from the ocean and then fill it fast with lots of corals and life so that those ugliest can’t take over in the first place.

 

[bozo]

Good advice, but if you decide to get a uv sterilizer don't bother with phyto or copepods it will kill them.

I would have to agree here.

I have had a 52 watt Aqua UV on my 50 gallon total volume tank (overkill forsure) and I do not have and pods. This particular tank has been up for 2 years now.

Even though I breed pods and phyto for the past year and dose every week.

But I would never run a tank with out a UV. Just my personal preference.

 

[Calmwaters]

There is no fast way it takes time.

 

[Formulator]

What should I do to get coralline algae grow faster?

LOL. I understand you want to enjoy your tank, but there just isn’t a great way to do it. Just be patient like the rest of us were. Live rock is a great suggestion, but still not a quick fix.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hi I'm going through the ugly stage now and my tank has 2 clowns and no corals (yet). Is there a way to end the ugly stage early or speed it up

No there is not.

And if you try it will come back 100 times worse later on.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My reef is over 20 years old. To this day, If I toss in a piece of dry rock our pour in dry aragonite sand, it takes months to progress through the uglies and look like it belongs in the reef. It is just they natural progression, there is no way around it.

 

[KrisReef]