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Bad Hair Algae

Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
horseplay said:
I suggest you establish a nutrient export regime, otherwise you are just chasing you tails. There is nothing in your tank right now that consumes the nutrient so of course you will get algae. IMO the egg-crate is not a problem, even if it leaches nitrates and phosphate.
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Any suggestions on how to export the nutrients ? More frequent water changes ? Only reason I don't do more frequent is because I'm trying to get the nitrates up
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
Any suggestions on how to export the nutrients ? More frequent water changes ? Only reason I don't do more frequent is because I'm trying to get the nitrates up
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Water change is not one of the ways to export nutrient. You will never do enough water changes. Plus large water changes disturb water chemistry.

Corals do consume nutrient. and corals do out-compete nuisance algae. This seems to be the case in my frag tank. I have a large amount of corals relative to the water volume.

Macro algae, vinegar dosing (skimmer is a must) also can export nutrients effectively.

Feed more to increase nitrate then grow macro algae or dose vinegar to remove nutrients.

And lastly, reduce your current lighting level by 75% until algae issue is resolved.
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
horseplay said:
Water change is not one of the ways to export nutrient. You will never do enough water changes. Plus large water changes disturb water chemistry.

Corals do consume nutrient. and corals do out-compete nuisance algae. This seems to be the case in my frag tank. I have a large amount of corals relative to the water volume.

Macro algae, vinegar dosing (skimmer is a must) also can export nutrients effectively.

Feed more to increase nitrate then grow macro algae or dose vinegar to remove nutrients.

And lastly, reduce your current lighting level by 75% until algae issue is resolved.
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I believe it's turf algae and not GHA.

I'm getting a skimmer for my birthday December 23rd so that'll help exporting nutrients. My thought with growing macro algae is that it'll eat my already non existent nitrates.

I've been feeding much more than normal and I'll be reducing lights intensity by 15% for a bit unless you think that's too much or too little
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
The point is that the macro will stunt the growth of macro.

I would keep the lighting much lower until the algae issue is under control. The ramp up the lighting. Unless you have corals that require high light.
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
horseplay said:
The point is that the macro will stunt the growth of macro.

I would keep the lighting much lower until the algae issue is under control. The ramp up the lighting. Unless you have corals that require high light.
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Just zoanthids and euphyllia rn

I'll crank down lights again tomorrow and if I can make it to the lfs get some chaeto and some turbo snails
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
Got out of work early on Tuesday and ran to Petco to get a few more inverts

Got two emerald crabs which are HOUSING the turf or hair algae

3 black margherita snails

1 Scarlett red hermit

I keep moving my astrea onto my tiny frag rag where all my frags are currently and they keep the frags nice and clean.

Nitrates and phosphates are still pegged zero the algae is just eating it all up rn
 
N

nightmarepl

NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
Got out of work early on Tuesday and ran to Petco to get a few more inverts

Got two emerald crabs which are HOUSING the turf or hair algae

3 black margherita snails

1 Scarlett red hermit

I keep moving my astrea onto my tiny frag rag where all my frags are currently and they keep the frags nice and clean.

Nitrates and phosphates are still pegged zero the algae is just eating it all up rn
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i would just completely stock feeding and only keep scrapping all the algae while the inverts starve and target the algae as the next food source.
 
DangerDave

DangerDave

NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
I believe it's turf algae and not GHA.

I'm getting a skimmer for my birthday December 23rd so that'll help exporting nutrients. My thought with growing macro algae is that it'll eat my already non existent nitrates.

I've been feeding much more than normal and I'll be reducing lights intensity by 15% for a bit unless you think that's too much or too little
Click to expand...

You are only testing low or zero nitrates because the algae is consuming it to grow. Get enough cuc to consume the algae, and you'll be in good shape. Good luck!
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
DangerDave said:
You are only testing low or zero nitrates because the algae is consuming it to grow. Get enough cuc to consume the algae, and you'll be in good shape. Good luck!
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I have added a LOT and I keep focusing my astrea to clean big areas and they're chopping it down. My emerald crabs are also killing it
 
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