Well, I have not really had nuisance algae at all. Every now and then I get a bit of algae built up on the sand, but usually that is under the tube anemone, as none of the snails or sand sifting star fish will go under there to stir up the sand (I'll just do it with my fingers every few weeks). Rarely will I find much for algae, I have only suffered from high NO3 from the mixed reef tank.
I debated vodka, sugar, bioballs/pellets & IO NO3 reducer, but in the end the 'COIL' looked best as there were no additives, just loads of anaerobic bacteria. Less overall cost!!!! Plus, if the additives run out (in the tank/system) you have a bacterial crash as they don't have the carbon to live on. This way, if the 'COIL' is removed or shuts down it just reverts back to aerobic bacteria and the existing anaerobic that is in the tank. No massive die off. All my bacteria live on their own. You could say that dosing is like steroids, but dosing doesn't only effect bacteria. So, the potential mess/crash if there are carbon issues (runs out, or changes in concentration) could be monumental!!! Hence why I steered away from it.
No Additives, no increased cost, less chance of a crash....
My cost to build the coil was about $50 bucks plus the pump, hose & inline ball valves.
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