Live Rock

[Fishmonger70]

Ok, my dust storm inside my tank has finally cleared up so I put in my live rock. I put in about 21 pounds of Indonesian LR about a week ago. I have been checking levels every day but they are all still at normal levels. Nitrite was a hair bit above normal, I think at 0.25, but now it is back to zero. As far as my nitrates and Amonia, they have stayed at zero all week. I am noticing some areas of live rock are now growing green "stringy" or "hairy" patches. There is not too much, but small areas here and there. There is also some purple and deep red areas where coraline algae has started to grow. whith all this, how do I know if my tank is cycling or if it is cycling correctly. Also, I have not seen any critters emerging out of my live rock like some people see when they add live rock.

 

[Lotus]

Welcome to the site

Did you buy the rock cured from the store? It's possible you only have a very minor cycle, if that's the case.

I'd remove the stringy/hairy patches if you can, they're not usually a good thing.

The critters can take some time to show up. Check at night with a flashlight and you might see something.

 

[Fishmonger70]

I got the LR from my local LFS, and I think he said that it came in from someone that was getting out of the SW business, hence the reason why there was already purple coraline algae growing on it. How should I get rid of the hairy green growth patches, or should I let my cleanup crew take care of it? Would you think it would be safe to add the cleanup crew in a few days?

 

[Lotus]

If it came from an established system, then the rock is likely already cured. You could probably add your cleanup crew next weekend, assuming the readings continue to be zero for ammonia and nitrites.

I'd suggest you try to manually remove (i.e. pull off) any green strands. The cleanup crew will probably help prevent it from coming back, but if it's already established, you run the risk of it taking over the tank. I'm assuming it's either hair algae or macroalgae. Both should be reasonably soft and easy to remove. If it's very hard and bristle-like, then it's likely bryopsis, which can be a major problem.

 

[Fishmonger70]

 

[sweetpickles7]

Thats a nice lookin set-up you have there!

 

[Fishmonger70]

Attention Attention!!
Brown algae spotted on substrate while cleaning live rock.

Todays readings still normal.
SG 1.025
pH 8.3
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

 

[Lotus]

Brown algae is very common at the end of the cycle. You may see some more during the next few weeks, but it will go away on its own. I guess you can get your cleanup crew in a few days.

 

[Fishmonger70]

I saw these tiny almost microscopic worm like things crawling through my substrate, a couple milimeters long and kinda clear to whitish in color. Anyone have any clue as to what they could be, and if they are bad for my tank?

 

[Lotus]

They're likely pods or worms. They're normal and beneficial to have in the tank.

 

[Fishmonger70]

Thanks Lotus, I wasn't sure what they were, but I thought they had to be there for a reason.