Naso tang, rabbitfish or sea hare?

[karazy]

I'd do what Myka said, take out the algae manually, and maybe take out one of your larger fish.
you could also try a blackout for a day or two.

I think that the naso tang wouldn't be a very good choice at all considering that it might not even eat the algae (every fish is different)
and also because if you cant get rid of it you've got a pretty big fish on your hands (ive seen some 16 inchers while snorkeling)

[michika]

Originally Posted by Myka

You're biased though...you want the Naso after!!!

I also went through this type of experience before as well and it sucked and if I could go back in time and tell myself the following, life would be good; 1) urchins rock, 2) adding products is a waste of time and money, 3) grazing fish are your best friends!

Go with whatever works best for you Doug. Either way I'm heading to RC tonight, and I'm going to try and cherry pick those blond nasos (thanks for the heads up on them).

[fishytime]

If I added a naso it would definitely be temporary as my tank simply isnt big enough for anything but a juvi. At 3" a naso would be doable for a year or two maybe. My hopes would be that a naso would keep it trimmed back far enough that my recently online fuge will kick in and start sucking up what it supposed to. I have been running the lights on a reverse schedule as the display lights but may run them 24/7 to see if that helps. Catherines offer has me thinking "yes" again. Dang!

[michika]

Keep them at the reverse schedule If you run it 24/7 you'll slow down the rate of growth on some of your macro. Every plant that produces chlorophyl (photoautotrophs) requires a dark cycle. You can always bump it up a big more, but just make sure you leave some down time in the dark.

[Myka]

Urchins do rock. I agree with all three points. Just think he should replace one of his current fish with the Naso...

[fishytime]

Not sure what Im gonna do....thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you all.

[michika]

Originally Posted by fishytime

Not sure what Im gonna do....thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you all.

I think we should start charging. Possibly in the form of pretty photos.

[Alberta-newb]

To ad, my red turf algae has been diminishing significantly. I'm not sure what's going right (but I'm thrilled anyway) but through help from you guys at RC I made a few changes in the last month. I had a bad ballast on my light which I replaced as well as two bulbs (fiji purple and new gen), I've cut back feedings to more numerous small ones to reduce waste and I also tried out some of the zeozyme (Kevin gave me a sample to try). In addition I really have tried to keep on top of maintenance and change filter socks daily.

One of these things has worked wonders, not sure if it was one or a combination of all. IIRC your bulbs are all pretty new but perhps you might consider the ZZ? I'm not a fan of additives, but I think it may of helped. Perhaps some of the hardcore ZEO guys can chime in on it's effectiveness?

[Trigger Man]

Fine Doug, if I've got to take your Lineatus Fairy Wrasse off your hands for cheap I guess I'll do it for you (only thinking of your bioload here:-). Just leave it at the store and when I come by to pick up the Laboutei Fairy Wrasse you guys got for me I'll take the Lineatus off your hands, and then you can get the Naso. I think this is the only thing that makes sense to me.

[Dolf]

Taken from: http://www.chucksaddiction.com/cleanupcrew.html
FISH - I know of only one species of fish that can be considered truly beneficial, and by that I mean it performs such a good service that its contribution in keeping the majority of algae species in check far outweighs its contribution to dissolved nutrient levels. Zebrasoma scopas - The brown scopas tang, the one fish species that I will always have in any coral display aquarium where algae must be kept under control.

*** I know it is another tang... and I do not know for certain it eats what you want it to eat- but you may want to look into it.***