White Growth on Live Rock (Picture)??

T

Terpmjn

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Feb 21, 2005
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Does cycling with shrimp smell?

Hello everybody,

I think I'd like to cycle my tank using the raw shrimp cycling method. My worry is that I live in a small apartment and I'm worried about the smell from the rotting shrimp. Can anybody attest to whether or not their tank had an overwhelming stench coming from it while cycling using raw shrimp?

Any experiences would be helpful. Also, i was considering using only 1/2 a shrimp to cycle, maybe to keep the smell to a minimum. I'm planning FOWLR and it's only a 29g tank.

Also, check out my picture of some white "stuff" on my LR. It's part smooth and part cottage cheese like. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Mike
 
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I used ammonia myself, but you have to make sure there aren't any other toxic additives. That is the challange, but I think it is worth it to keep your apartment from smelling like the fish counter at your local grocery. Another crazy idea is adding marine Bio-Spira a day or so before adding your live stock to set up bacterial colonies. Some people may not agree with that, but I have had nothing but positive results with Bio-Spira. Be careful though, to make sure that it has been refridgerated and has not went beyond its expiration date. In other words trust your supplier. Also follow the directions explicitly, my only experience of Bio-Spira not working was when I did not follow directions. I would also recommend the large packet for your 29g just to be safe. The white growth on your rock is an early state of red algae. I still have quite a bit myself. It is cool to watch it change. Good luck! HTH
 
I've read that coraline algae is the goal and is great for the tank. Is this considered "good" coraline algae? Should I assume my tank has cycled or is cycling given this coraline growth?
 
Terpmjn said:
I've read that coraline algae is the goal and is great for the tank. Is this considered "good" coraline algae? Should I assume my tank has cycled or is cycling given this coraline growth?
Click to expand...

Coraline really isnt a sign of good or bad , its just pleasing on the eyes.
 
so coraline algae starts white then turns either purple or red?
-brandon
 
I am anxiously awaiting an answer to this question too. I have some live rock on my base rock and am getting the same white stuff on the both, base rock & live. Does this mean it will turn red or purple like the coraline on the live rock? I had thought it was salt at first, but this would be great!
kathyW
 
I use a product called Stability and Live Rock to cycle my tanks. I don't like the dead shrimp smell either. I cycle 8 weeks before adding anything else though. I had a few white areas (coral & sponge skeletons) that are now covered in coraline. Beautiful!
 
so dose corraline start off as white blotches?
-brandon
 
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