Can liverock from QT ever grow coraline again?

[Anonymous]

I bought a used 20 several years ago to use as a QT. I worked fine. The rock that came with the used tank was covered in dark purple coraline algea. Well times change and I have upgraded to tank to a 37G. No longer use it as a QT. The coraline slowly disappeard over time. I don't monitor calcium and alkalinity as it is just a fish tank. Did the coraline die because of the medicin or because of calcium/Alk issues? Can I do anything to bring it back? Would adding a new cured piece re-seed the old rock? The tank only has NO flourescent lights.

Any ideas?

Louey

 

[whiirly]

could be lights or it could be if you used copper it kills live rock
if you used copper the rock is dead if you add more rock it will kill that
too
good luck
whiirly

 

[Anonymous]

I used copper and formulin as medication. It has been well over a year and the tank has been changed out since the last treatment.

 

[Expos Forever]

Louey

Obviously you know that your LR will never be invert safe again. That being said I don't think either Formulin or copper will prevent coraline growth. Since coraline is an algae I would say if hair or any other type of algae grows on it then so will coraline given patience,lighting and the proper alk/calc params. As for lighting I find purples require less light and pink requires more, but that's just an anecdotal observation.

 

[piscies75]

INteresting point really. I had a fish only 40 gallon tank for many years. Last December I ran a poly marine pad and lots of carbon to get rid of the copper. I use only r/o di (weeklly eight gallon changes) and I-Bionic two step. UPgraded my lights with retro fits. I added two big pieces of nice coraline enriched live rock 2 months ago, hoping to seed my 40 pounds of lr . I still have red slime algae on the old rocks. I am now using three power heads and put in a phosphate remover after testing high. I am hopeful of getting rid of the slime algae in time and hopeful of coraline purple algie. I have had a cleaner shrimp for 45 days now with no problem , he has molted every week. I added four soft corals and they are growing rapidly. I think with persistence it is possible.

 

[Anonymous]

Molting every week? WOW, never had them molt anywhere near that often

 

[Expos Forever]

I would say your shrimp molting every week might mean he is trying to rid himself of toxins. I hope I'm wrong, but that could be real hard on your shrimp long term.

 

[Anonymous]

In my opinion Expos is more "on the money" on this one. It would be my own guess as well that copper and formalin would have a negligable effect on coralline, but "biominerals" would indeed have a great effect.

Yes, live rock can become live again, but it would be difficult to state that you could end up with a full compliment of original flora and fauna.

 

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the input. I run carbon 24/7 on this tank so I would really be suprised if there was any dectectable amounts of copper still remaining in the tank.

I think I'll just continue making my monthly 75% WC and see if the coraline ever comes back. I wouldn't think I would need to do anything more to maintain cal and alk, since there is nothing in the tank consuming it!

Maybe I'll throw a few coraling encrusted snail shells in there every now and then to try and re-seed it.

I wonder if the rock, without coraline, has any biological benefit to the tank?

Louey

 

[Expos Forever]

As far as I know the only benefit to coraline (besides appearance) is that it out-competes other kinds of algaes. That being said,your rock will definetly aid in biological filtration. BTW coraline covered hermits and snails are a slow but sure way to spread coraline in your tank. If you don't trust the copper levels, rubber band an coraline-covered empty snail shell in a high flow area. It should grow.

 

[Anonymous]

I noticed some small feather dusters and some even smaller polyps growing on the rock. I was a little suprised to see this. I think this is a good sign!

Louey