View Single Post
  #9  
Old 12-29-2007, 05:21 AM
Dale's Avatar
Dale Dale is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Abbotsford, BC.
Posts: 189
Dale is on a distinguished road
Default

Hi Myka,
I know it's boring but the best way to combat nuisance algae is to eliminate the causes. Generally speaking these can fall into four categories:
Excessive lighting,
Lack of nuitrient uptake competition,
Excessive food,
Poor nutrient export.
If you are familiar with planted FW tanks a lot of the same strategies apply.
Finding a consumer can be helpful but even if you find an animal that eats the algae it will just excrete the waste and thus continue the cycle. For long term success you need to either export the excess nutrients effectively or not add them in the first place. (ie:not adding amino acids and mysis to the rock if you give it a blackout period, it won't need it).
If you get a large enough nutrient consuming coral base you will find the algae decreasing as well.
Reply With Quote