Tip of the Day – 8/28/2011

When starting an aquarium with only dried dead rock, don’t expect the rock to become colorful or populated with beneficial algae immediately. Instead, expect a minimum of several months before the rock starts turning purple, as coralline algae begins to grow on it. This process could, of course, be sped up if you add established live rock into the tank with the dead rock. Seeding the dead rock with live rocks or rock rubble introduces the beneficial organisms we all want, but be careful not to pick rocks from a tank full of Aiptasia anemones or other pest problems.