It’s kind of tragic that the hardest part of owning a reef tank is the first year because it gets exponentially easier past that point. That’s because algae and pest outbreaks in the first year are one of the biggest challenges reefers run into.
There is a theme here, an aggressive approach to avoiding algae and pests all together.
These bacteria will not replicate in seawater so it is important to repeat the dosage every two weeks until you are confidently passed that ugly brown phase. In our 40 gallons tanks, we are going to use Vibrant and will start adding it sometime after the initial cycle and at least 2-3 weeks before turning on the lights. Many reefers report back such high levels of success that it almost feels like cheating! These bacteria rely on food sources to survive such as organic sludge and detritus, new algae growth and even other harmful bacterias.īoth Vibrant and Microbacter Clean are products used by reefers to clean up the tank after they run into issues but they can also be effectively used as a preventative measure up front.ĭosing bacteria like this is far from required, but is highly recommended if you want multiple levels of protection against algae and pests. We didn’t add them to our tanks here because they can develop a taste for coral polyps but if you want an almost foolproof army of fish working for you, these are a smart addition.īefore turning on your lights, consider adding something like Vibrant or Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter Clean which contain highly valuable heterotrophic bacteria. These are the protectors of your coral and will consume many of the most common pests.Īnother preventative utilitarian fish you might consider is an Aiptasia Eating Filefish which goes after another common pest in the tank, Aiptasia Anemones. This is a good time to also consider adding something that eats those pests like a Six Line or Coris Wrasse. In addition to algae, parasites and various other pests can make their way into your tank via coral frags. The fish will eat the young algae before it can ever become a problem. This will cut your chances of running into an algae problem by up to 80% through the first year of your tank. These fish eat algae for a living and you need to establish them for 1- 2 months BEFORE turning on your tank’s lights.
Ugly fish marine supply upgrade#
In 18 months time you either need to trade them in for another batch of small tangs or upgrade your tank to something bigger! Of course, we prefer the latter. These Tangs will eventually outgrow your 40 gallon tank so be prepared. Important Note: Tangs grow large and you need to get small tangs. In each of our tanks here we are adding a Yellow Tang, small Bristletooth Tang such as a Kole or Tomini Tang and a Lawn Mower Blenny. We talked about utilitarian fish in a previous episode and now is the time to make use of them. Listen to this advice and listen closely, taking the time to avoid these pests now is far easier than dealing with them later after they have grown out of hand. Important Note: This is one of the many aspects of your tank in which an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Phase 2 of the cycle process is all about supporting the good organisms and their efforts to fight the bad ones. When something gets out of hand, it is only then visible to the human eye.
Inside of a new aquarium, there is a ton of brand new real estate that microscopic organisms are fighting tooth and nail to dominate. This is a very common occurrence for new aquariums so don’t worry if it happens to you, we can help you get through it. You can also experience bacterial type infestations in the way of red or brown slime that covers the surfaces inside your tank. This is a phase in which the rock turns brown and various algae take hold.
You will often hear hobbyists refer to something called the “ugly brown phase”. In our last episode, we discussed establishing a nitrogen cycle in your new tank and if you missed Episode #15 - Cycling Part 1, we highly recommend you check it out before continuing with this second part of the process.ĭuring phase two of the cycle, sometimes referred to as a “4 month cycle” we go way beyond the ammonia and nitrogen cycle and really get to the heart of setting yourself up for success.
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