Dry rock bubble algae.

[NU-2reef]

Nothing wrong with dry rock. Just needs time to get live. Because it lacks beneficial bacteria the rock has no way to deal with the ditritus that settles in the pores and becomes a nutrient factory. That would be why algae is more prevelant to dry rock , just an easier place to thrive on nutrients. Dry rock is better for new tanks and people with patience to wait several months for the bacteria to mature and establish itself.

I used 90% dry rock in my new tank that has been running since nov2011. Still no coral or fish just mb7 and reef fuel. The other 10% is live rock and sand from a well established system. Now my rock is just as live as any with lots of coralline and zero pests.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by NU-2reef

Nothing wrong with dry rock. Just needs time to get live. Because it lacks beneficial bacteria the rock has no way to deal with the ditritus that settles in the pores and becomes a nutrient factory. That would be why algae is more prevelant to dry rock , just an easier place to thrive on nutrients. Dry rock is better for new tanks and people with patience to wait several months for the bacteria to mature and establish itself.

I used 90% dry rock in my new tank that has been running since nov2011. Still no coral or fish just mb7 and reef fuel. The other 10% is live rock and sand from a well established system. Now my rock is just as live as any with lots of coralline and zero pests.

so your saying its better to have dry rock and that all this algae is a good sign that the rock is becoming live???and that over time the bacteria will mature and take the algae out??? if it was a tuff of hair algae id say big deal but ifested with bubble algae is a bit extreme considering these are the kind of pest algaes im sure he was trying to avoid.

im still pro live rock bigtime, i know all too many set ups with horrible nutrient problems and dry rocks

[NU-2reef]

Not at all. I'm pro live rock as well but all live rock I have purchased have always had some sort of pests that I then have to eradicate. I just prefer to lower the risk.

What I'm trying to say is that dry rock in an established system is not always best because it has no way to manage excess nutrients which explains why pest algae is more susceptible. Had the dry rock been cured and matured outside the system then introduced once matured we would have better luck not having pest algae because it now has beneficial bacteria to help as a biofiltration.

In my case I had the time to allow dry rock to establish itself and I was in no rush to add livestock. I used live rock and sand to seed but it takes a long time which most are not willing to wait.

Both types have their benefits but need to be employed appropriately