Algae control in small system

Millepora_Maniac · #1 12-22-2011, 06:45 PM

HI guys thanks for the replies,

I was considering the lawnmower blenny, but at the same time, they are known to perch on corals, and i wouldn't want that on some fresh frags.

I do have some turbo snails in there but they don't seem to be touching the longer algae strands. Maybe i should try removing the algae again, and seeing if the snails can keep up, maybe add a few more. Turbo's are just so clumsy and run right over my frags sometimes, once again this can dislodge coral frags and cause the frags to lean against each other, something i really don't want if i can avoid it.

My tank is growing fast and has awesome colour, so i am hesitant to change anything filtration wise at the moment, so i won't be adding another reactor to my system. I am running pellets and zeo already, and phosphates and nitrates are negligable (0ppm not readable on my elos tesk kit).

I was hoping someone had some kind of new invert or fish that could live alone in there and take care of all of it.

This egg grate stuff is annoying, it seems to grow algae like crazy.

Reefer Rob · #2 12-22-2011, 07:04 PM

A Tuxedo Urchin or Abalone. Two of my favorite algae eaters.

reefwars · #3 12-22-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millepora_Maniac

HI guys thanks for the replies,

I was considering the lawnmower blenny, but at the same time, they are known to perch on corals, and i wouldn't want that on some fresh frags.

I do have some turbo snails in there but they don't seem to be touching the longer algae strands. Maybe i should try removing the algae again, and seeing if the snails can keep up, maybe add a few more. Turbo's are just so clumsy and run right over my frags sometimes, once again this can dislodge coral frags and cause the frags to lean against each other, something i really don't want if i can avoid it.

My tank is growing fast and has awesome colour, so i am hesitant to change anything filtration wise at the moment, so i won't be adding another reactor to my system. I am running pellets and zeo already, and phosphates and nitrates are negligable (0ppm not readable on my elos tesk kit).

I was hoping someone had some kind of new invert or fish that could live alone in there and take care of all of it.

This egg grate stuff is annoying, it seems to grow algae like crazy.

best algae eater out there for long hair algae is a sea hare...hands down a eating machine but will starve once it finishes its job they do not take to nori(mine didnt anyways) and they will eat the super long stuff once food hets scarce.drip acclimate though as they are temp and salinity sensative.

ScubaSteve · #4 12-22-2011, 08:10 PM

+1 on the seahare.

PS. Dude, we haven't heard from you in a while. How's it been?

reefwars · #5 12-22-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

+1 on the seahare.

PS. Dude, we haven't heard from you in a while. How's it been?

me??? hehehe

ScubaSteve · #6 12-22-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

me??? hehehe

You? Nah, we know all about you and can't get ya to shut up

Just kidding Denny, we love you.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #7 12-22-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Just kidding Denny, we love you.

Get a motel room guys

I think 30 snails in a small tank is also way overkill. In fact, I find most "clean-up crew" packages to be way more than necessary and most of the snails and hermits will die off over time.

As has been mentioned already, tackling the source of the algae (nutrient control) is better and adding something to eat the available algae will be a good two-way approach. Just don't overdo it on the algae eaters.

Anthony

ReefOcean · #8 12-23-2011, 09:15 PM

I don't understand why you would have an algae problem in a frag tank. Is it a closed system? Are there fish? Do you still use RODI water?

EDIT: BTW, any mille frags for sale?

Edmonton newbie · #9 12-24-2011, 04:42 AM

i set up a turf scrubber on my 50 gal a couple of weeks ago works great. my algea is way down, water is super clear. i even took my skimmer offline and have not seen my corals looking so good. you might want to look into trying something like that

Millepora_Maniac · #10 01-05-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

I don't understand why you would have an algae problem in a frag tank. Is it a closed system? Are there fish? Do you still use RODI water?

EDIT: BTW, any mille frags for sale?

Yes, i have mille frags for sale like ususal, blue ones pink ones, green and blue ones. PM if you need one or all.

It's funny you mention the RO because i recently had my RO Booster pump explode on me. Since then the algae has gotten out of control, I'm thinking that maybe without that extremem pressure going through my RO unit that the filters aren't working properly. I have a new one now so we'll see what happens, maybe a fresh set of filters include DI resin would help out too.

this baffles me sometimes though, you can't read it on a test kit, you can't see it in your display, my refugium is hardly growing my macro algae, runnning Zeo, and pellets, i do massive regular water changes (big blue drums) yet the algae in my frag tank continues to grow.

I'll post back on the success or failure of the new booster pump with filters. i've been ruinning my RO at about 25 PSI since the pump blew. this new one should boost it to 80 or more, maybe that'll make all the difference.