Best place for Live Rock in Algonquin/Lake in the Hills area

[92reefer]

My 60G cube has been struggling for the past year and half. My last tank was overrun with hitch-hikers and nasty critters.

So I started this one out fresh with Marco Rock and seeded with 1 (expensive) aqua cultured rock from Beyond the Reef.

Not sure if the rock from Beyond the Reef wasn't big enough or what the problem was but I could never get corraline to grow on the Marco Rocks and the rock and tank kept repeatedly getting covered with a light brown slimy type of algae. I've scraped it off the back glass and hosed the Marco Rock down several times but it just keeps coming back and covers EVERYTHING. I think my tank has bacterial problems which allows this slime stuff to grow.

Anyway I believe that I'm going to do a large water change (1/2 tank) and remove all the slimy algae I can as well as removing ALL of the rock in the tank and replace with Live Base Rock from a local fish store and see if I can't get my tank back on track where it should be.

Does anyone know of a local fish store in the Crystal Lake/Algonquin/Lake in the Hills area that offers quality Base Rock without charging a "pant load" for it?

 

[DoubleM 10]

if im not mistaken it might take some time for that kind of stuff to happen? what did you do with all the nasty critters and what not?

 

[92reefer]

if im not mistaken it might take some time for that kind of stuff to happen? what did you do with all the nasty critters and what not?

That was in the last tank (92 gallon bowfront). I broke down and sold that tank as it was also a little to big for me to maintain. The critters went with the tank.

I don't have any critters that I can tell in the new tank (don't see any worms etc) but the tank has never solidified itself by having the base rock grow any type of corraline etc. I have been battling with this slimy light brown algae for almost 2 years now. I was told previously that it looks like a bacterial problem? I have 3 fish that are doing great but the tank looks terrible. This stuff attaches itself to the coral gravel as well and I have to churn it up each week or so and catch in the filter sock for removal. Stuff grows right back. I gave up taking the rock out and hosing it off. I'm at a loss how to win the battle other than removing all the rock, doing a quick clean on the tank walls and adding all "LIVE ROCK." Suggestions/opinions all WELCOME!

 

[92reefer]

closeup pic of that nasty light brown furry stuff that attaches to everything

anyone have any ideas of what it is and how I can fix my tank?

 

[92reefer]

any ideas on my battle with the brown slime gunk or how to conquer?

 

[xtlosx]

I have 150# of Marco dry rock in my system, and used a couple lbs of live rock from my old tank. I got that stuff initially as well but you need to be patient. Depending on how much you seed with, it will take a while. I'm about 1.5 yrs from start, and my rock doesn't have ANY of that anymore, and coraline is all over. Patience.. Mine took forever because I seeded all of mine with a little bit, but like I said, give it time. Once your tank gets where it needs to be that will go away.

Also what kind of skimmer do you have, are you running GFO, etc? What are your parameters?

 

[92reefer]

I have an SWC skimmer and was running GFO in a TLF reactor but I stopped since I didn't see any change at all. I have to take a plastic spatula and churn up the substrate every 8 days or so because it get's to looking terrible. The stuff grows like mad and attaches to everything including the substrate!

 

[92reefer]

My ESHOPPS sump has a built-in middle section for a fuge. I was running a TLF reactor with some GFO and carbon but it was very cumbersome to service under the tight constraints of my 60G cube.

Does a refugium serve the same benefits as a GFO/Carbon reactor and if so can I just add some sand, cheato, rock rubble and LED light to that compartment?

http://www.eshopps.com/products/filters/refugium/r100/

 

[kd_lc]

If you need some I've got snout 15lbs of lr you can have. Lmk has some coral on it

 

[92reefer]

Checked out Birds and Beasts Live Rock. $9 a pound and current stock did not look good at all. Not much corraline or life.

I'm wondering if Sea Escapes in Elgin has any decent rock. They advertise Live Fiji rock for 7.99/pound. Anyone buy rock from them?

 

[xtlosx]

Go to Exotic Aquatics in LITH, they have nice live rock, base rock, and shelf rock with a LOT of coraline.

 

[fishguy306]

Did Exotic Aquatics move? Last I drove past their place on Randall I could have sworn that their shop was gone

 

[xtlosx]

Did Exotic Aquatics move? Last I drove past their place on Randall I could have sworn that their shop was gone

They are off virginia and 31, google for exact address. They moved something like 2-3 yrs ago.

 

[lolgranny]

^ Jeff has some nice rock. Birds and beasts also does, a little on the more expensive side but all the rock in that tub is fully cured so thats what youre paying extra for.