Red algae and aptasia

kaxt · 02/24/2012, 03:17 PM

I'm starting to purchase some things to set up a 20g tank and I found some live rock on Craig's List. Problem is, the seller says the rock has red algae and aptasia. I know you can kill aptasia with lemon juice, but how hard is it to get rid of red algae? It comes from phosphates, right? So if I put it in phosphate free water in my new tank would it just go away?

Or would it be eassier to just dry the rock out and let everything die and then use it in my new tank?

jasin401 · 02/24/2012, 03:23 PM

i wouldnt buy it...with the amount of time and $$ u will be putting into your tank.

dallascwbyz · 02/24/2012, 03:39 PM

If its a good price buy it! Just nuke it in boiling water. The red algae most likely cyano will come right off, anf the boiling water will kill the aptasia and any spores as well

Michael · 02/25/2012, 12:55 AM

You would be better off buying cheap dead rock and cycling it yourself with a piece of live rock from a buddy's tank rather than purchase that and boil it unless it is very cheap, I agree with jasin401 and also wouldn't risk it, better to start right with quality rock and your tank will benefit from the start.

nanodiva · 02/25/2012, 02:02 AM

ewwww CYANO O_O i had a baaaaad time dealing with it in my sea horse tank because it hitched into a piece of rock and ended up in there.... the bad/worst part was seahorses.... LOW FLOW TANKS -__- never again will i have a sea horse tank. love them but oh god you get issues where flow will help get rid of it (which still takes FOREVER) and you can't put it into effect without causing damage to tank inhabitants who need low flow. constant syphoning out of it.... NEVER again NEVER again.

DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOUR do NOT get this rock. trust me from experience NOT worth it.

kaxt · 02/25/2012, 09:49 AM

Alright, thanks guys. I might just go with marco rock then.

02/24/2012, 03:17 PM	#1
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	Red algae and aptasia I'm starting to purchase some things to set up a 20g tank and I found some live rock on Craig's List. Problem is, the seller says the rock has red algae and aptasia. I know you can kill aptasia with lemon juice, but how hard is it to get rid of red algae? It comes from phosphates, right? So if I put it in phosphate free water in my new tank would it just go away? Or would it be eassier to just dry the rock out and let everything die and then use it in my new tank?

02/24/2012, 03:39 PM	#3
dallascwbyz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seacoast NH Posts: 151	If its a good price buy it! Just nuke it in boiling water. The red algae most likely cyano will come right off, anf the boiling water will kill the aptasia and any spores as well __________________ 120G Reef, 30G refuge, 2 X 250 MH HQI, 4 X T5, LED Moons. Current Tank Info: 120g reef, clams,sps,lps, softies. fuge plumbed into basement.

02/25/2012, 12:55 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	You would be better off buying cheap dead rock and cycling it yourself with a piece of live rock from a buddy's tank rather than purchase that and boil it unless it is very cheap, I agree with jasin401 and also wouldn't risk it, better to start right with quality rock and your tank will benefit from the start. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/25/2012, 02:02 AM	#5
nanodiva Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 12	ewwww CYANO O_O i had a baaaaad time dealing with it in my sea horse tank because it hitched into a piece of rock and ended up in there.... the bad/worst part was seahorses.... LOW FLOW TANKS -__- never again will i have a sea horse tank. love them but oh god you get issues where flow will help get rid of it (which still takes FOREVER) and you can't put it into effect without causing damage to tank inhabitants who need low flow. constant syphoning out of it.... NEVER again NEVER again. DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOUR do NOT get this rock. trust me from experience NOT worth it. __________________ -Jannette

02/24/2012, 03:23 PM	#2
jasin401 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Providence Posts: 252	i wouldnt buy it...with the amount of time and $$ u will be putting into your tank.

02/25/2012, 09:49 AM	#6
kaxt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 340	Alright, thanks guys. I might just go with marco rock then.