Dry rock bubble algae.

[Doug]

Before I moved, I traded some of my older live rock for some dry eco rock or whatever its called. I have a small bit of bubble algae here and there. Its always been easy to clean off during water changes.

Now this new rock thats been in my tank for several months now, is just plastered in masses of small bubble algae. Never have I seen the likes of it. I just tooth brushed the heck out of it during a water change, {in a bucket} and flipped it over.

Really thinking of throwing it in the garbage as I dont see how its controllable. Anyone else have this problem with similar types of rock?

[11purewater]

Do you have an emerald crab or two?

[NU-2reef]

Just take the rock out and nuke it. Throw it back in and time will do the rest

[Doug]

Originally Posted by 11purewater

Do you have an emerald crab or two?

I have one old goat thats been in my tank for a few years. Only thing he eats is fish food. I could put a 100 in and they could not eat all that small bubble algae.

Originally Posted by Enigma

I've had significant hair algae issues every time I've used dry rock, but not bubble algae issues. I did introduce bubble algae to my system on a frag, so we'll see what it does.

I've decided that dry rock needs to be cooked. I know we're told that it doesn't, but I no longer believe that. I'm convinced that it leeches phosphates. I've just ordered 25 more pounds, so we'll see if cooking it changes anything.

I think that has to be the case, otherwise no reason for something like whats happened to my rock. Plus I run lots of gfo in my 20g, all the time, not to mention 25% water change every week. And besides the small amounts here and there, its not growing on whats left of my 15yr. old Fiji rock, whci I should have kept.

Originally Posted by NU-2reef

Just take the rock out and nuke it. Throw it back in and time will do the rest

I,m going to "nuke" it alright. You would think when one buys a dead type non reef rock, it would be free of the problems that some live rock has.

Right? Besides the cheaper price, is that not why some purchase it?

Ok, I,m off to read how to "nuke". Sheez, 35yrs and I never nuked anything.

[reefwars]

dry rock is as good as top soil :P


go back to the fiji rock doug , good stuff right there

[Doug]

Originally Posted by reefwars

dry rock is as good as top soil :P

Well I thought it was suppose to be good. So far, in my experience, you may be correct.

go back to the fiji rock doug , good stuff right there

Ya, wish I had kept it but to late now..

[Enigma]

I've had significant hair algae issues every time I've used dry rock, but not bubble algae issues. I did introduce bubble algae to my system on a frag, so we'll see what it does.

I've decided that dry rock needs to be cooked. I know we're told that it doesn't, but I no longer believe that. I'm convinced that it leeches phosphates. I've just ordered 25 more pounds, so we'll see if cooking it changes anything.