Marco Rock Owners - GHA Ever Go Away? (2 years+ Owners Only)

[nuxx]

Going back I'd probably just get Tukani and acid wash it.

No reason not to now since I can get it pretty cheap.

 

[nuxx]

Lovely!

 

[DaveRaz]

I had an outbreak with Marco as well but extermely high flow and GFO took care of it. Lasted about 6 weeks. Keep fighting the good fight.

 

[Buzz1329]

Hmm. Used Marco rocks on my 180 build started in 5/13. Initially tried to keep alk at 7.0 following Zeo system. Despite lack of dosing, could not keep it that low and gave up on Zeo. A few months later, rocks sprouted HEAVY brown algae infestation. GFO, vinegar dosing, wet skimming, removal of algae during 10% water changes did not control it. Algae Fix Marine knocked most of it out, and Turbo ATS seemed to keep rocks clean. But due to my negligence, I just burnt out the ATS screen (pump died and algae cooked), so I'm back to dosing vinegar and leaning heavy on GFO to keep things in check. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Mike

 

[nuxx]

Does this look like good skim for 24 hours?

Didn't overflow overnight and is still collecting:

The skimmer body is 12" and the cup is fairly large.

 

[smatter]

Looks like quality effluent to me.

 

[nuxx]

Looks like quality effluent to me.

Thanks!

Hopefully it stays consistent...

 

[troubadour11]

looks like some good skimmer draw to me.

And pardon any typos on my end. Did these posts while I wait for previews at work on my little fire tablet. I don't always notice auto correct "fixing" things on the small screen.

And just to be straight. I noticed I said have extra fresh water if you're skimming wet... I meant extra SALT water. Just keep an eye on your SG if wet skimming. Mine tended to drop slowly on my old NAC6 when it skimmed wet while trying to beat it.

Sounds like you're back on track now. Keep the faith and let chemistry and time do the hard work for you. :spin1:

 

[nuxx]

looks like some good skimmer draw to me.

And pardon any typos on my end. Did these posts while I wait for previews at work on my little fire tablet. I don't always notice auto correct "fixing" things on the small screen.

And just to be straight. I noticed I said have extra fresh water if you're skimming wet... I meant extra SALT water. Just keep an eye on your SG if wet skimming. Mine tended to drop slowly on my old NAC6 when it skimmed wet while trying to beat it.

Sounds like you're back on track now. Keep the faith and let chemistry and time do the hard work for you. :spin1:

Thanks

I takes A LOT of water to throw off the salinity, but I do run my automatic change water at around 1.030 lol

 

[nuxx]

Does this look pretty good for 24 hours later?

Top is yesterday morning, bottom this morning...

 

[smatter]

I think you have it dialed in nicely. Is it strange that I get excited looking at dirty foam?

 

[nuxx]

LOL

Skimmer ended up filling up with a lot of extra water last night.

Guessing it's because I've been ramping up my GFO and ALK. Might be something to do with that...

 

[intyme]

I'm getting a ton of brown hair alge. The tank is 4 months old, the Marco rocks are starting to turn green and get some coraline starting. Skimmer pulls stuff out like the one above

 

[intyme]

Bump

 

[nuxx]

LPS are all mad because of the GFO I'm guessing.

Going to half the amount next weekend...

 

[rtecanoe]

I have a 180 and about 80 gal in sumps, 90% of my live rock is marco rocks. Ive had GHA off and on over the years. What has worked for me finally is not so much worrying about nitrates PO4 etc but the type of fish I have. My one spot foxface, kole tang and sailfin tang have completely gotten rid of it. Havent seen any in ages. I dont even use GFO anymore. But I do know when my water needs tending because cyano will reappear now and again, but never GHA any more.

 

[nuxx]

Wish our tangs liked the stuff!

 

[Johnb123]

does this rock need ammonia added to cycle or can it cycle on it own?

 

[Coral_reefer]

Love Marco rocks. No problems here. As others have said, rock was likely not the op's problem. Def keep up with GFO and water changes including mahal removal of algae, make sure skimmer Is working well. Should win eventually.