Algae again

[MadReefer]

Seeing some algae issues creeping up again. I don't have a reactor and cannot fit one. What would be best to get it under control? Rowaphos, PhosGuard, something else?

Thanks for reading

 

[diana a]

With your history of Dino’s, I would choose the PhosGuard if you have high phosphate.

 

[Sponge]

Curious... what does your cleanup crew look like

 

[MadReefer]

Curious... what does your cleanup crew look like

Tough questions as my puffer and wrasse eat them. Some wehre I have a cucumber, various snails and hermits.
Like I said snails are consumed quickly. Was considering a seahare but we all know what happens when it dies.

 

[MadReefer]

With your history of Dino’s, I would choose the PhosGuard if you have high phosphate.

6/15 Phosphate at 0.25ppm, stays constant at this level for quite awhile.

 

[Sponge]

As I understand it. We always have the potential for algae. More established tanks are more equipped to battle it. But it’s always there. It’s all a balance of food input and nutrient export. And of course light intensity. I realize we all know this. But it’s worth repeating. Personally I think chemical should be the last resort. But understand that it can be effective. I say reduce food increase skimming and refugium. Export export export. Don’t let socks sit clean clean clean.

 

[MadReefer]

Matt, No room for a fuge so that's out.
I feed a pinch of flake food 3 or 4 times a week. One frozen cube daily, varies brine, fish eggs, angel frozen food, etc.
I use the contraption Mark C is selling as it dissolves the fish eat it so it doesn't go all over the place.

 

[Sponge]

Sounds like you have it under control. A lot of people with lots of experience are on this site gotta be somebody a lot smarter than me that can chime in. Just has to something... do you use RODI.

 

[MadReefer]

Sounds like you have it under control. A lot of people with lots of experience are on this site gotta be somebody a lot smarter than me that can chime in. Just has to something... do you use RODI.

Yes I do.

 

[Goodair]

Urchin has been demolishing anyrhing growing on my rocks.
This is less than a weeks time since adding it.

 

[Sponge]

What’s the least destructive urchin and do they eat hair algae

 

[amado]

Get a urchin + he will clean the rock spotless.
If you don’t want a urchin then use Red Sea NoPox.

 

[amado]

What’s the least destructive urchin and do they eat hair algae

Tuxedo are nice and I haven’t seen them hurt any coral. but if you have a big tank would go with the pin cushion they eat everything and they grow huge.

 

[diana a]

I find Turbos and Margarita snails clean hair algae off the rocks and frag plugs that are in my sand.

 

[David@wegetkraken]

I have two pincushions and a tuxedo in the 120. Haven't harmed any coral. Hair algae machines.

 

[Sponge]

Thanks everyone. I picked up some large rocks covered in zoas for nothing because the rock is smothered in algae. They are siting in qt. Waiting to get groomed. I’ll pick up an eurchin to help the snails and crabs speed things along

 

[Goodair]

make sure to epoxy or glue the frags, or they will be on a non-stop uber drive with pincushins, lol!

 

[David@wegetkraken]

One thing to be aware of with urchins...they eat ALL algae, including Coraline. If you like the purple everything look you won't get it with urchins. If you think it is just another nuisance algae then urchins are your friends.

 

[Haus]

Big fan of my tuxedo urchin but it moves unglued frags around and knocks things over some. I also like having an emerald or two in there-though the puffer May like that more. I loved my tailspot Blenny for cleaning but haven’t replaced it, maybe a bigger blenny would do too some good. Could a lawnmower or starry Benny hold their own in there?

 

[Sponge]

I have a lawnmower and he just about rules the tank. But constantly is flipping coral frags. I swear he does it to mess with me.