Hair algae growing in fuge: Good? Bad? Irrelevant?

Edward Smith · 08/07/2009, 11:34 AM

150g FOWLR
100g sump with DSB, LR and screed off area for macro algae growth. The LR is growing lots of thick hair (Turf?) algae.

Good, bad, doesnt matter?

I get the point that my phospates and organics might be high, but should I leave the algae alone? Harvest it like macro? Use a cleaning crew in there?

Thanks,

evsalty · 08/07/2009, 11:36 AM

If it goes asexual it can get up into your DT. Obviously it will help to remove nutrients from the system but I wouldn't want to risk it getting spred around.

wmilas · 08/07/2009, 11:42 AM

I've got Red Turf in my display and its driving me insane. Keep it out if you have the ability to do so. My tangs eat everything except the turf stuff

Hephalump · 08/07/2009, 11:44 AM

You might consider a turbo snail in there. They're bulldozers and will knock over your corals, but it sounds like you wouldn't have to worry about that...they keep my tank spotless so I just put up with them knocking things over.

customdusty · 08/07/2009, 09:03 PM

^ +1

I had some red turf that was starting to get problematic, especially on my overflow teeth. I got some turbos and the turf was gone within a day. Not just some of it, every possible bit of it was completely gone.

Now I feel bad about the turbos because I don't know that I've got enough of anything else to keep them happy.

As far as nuisance algae in my fuge, I put a clean up crew in there to keep it under control so I only grow a massive ball of cheato. Nuisance algae does have the tendency to spread to your DT.

08/07/2009, 11:34 AM	#1
Edward Smith Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Saint Charles, IL Posts: 3,071	Hair algae growing in fuge: Good? Bad? Irrelevant? 150g FOWLR 100g sump with DSB, LR and screed off area for macro algae growth. The LR is growing lots of thick hair (Turf?) algae. Good, bad, doesnt matter? I get the point that my phospates and organics might be high, but should I leave the algae alone? Harvest it like macro? Use a cleaning crew in there? Thanks, __________________ "Hi, my name is Ed and I'm a reefaholic" "Hi Ed" Current Tank Info: 24g Zeroedge (rules), 150g (to be unveiled soon)

08/07/2009, 11:42 AM	#3
wmilas Keep magnets 9" apart! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lemont, Il Posts: 1,023	I've got Red Turf in my display and its driving me insane. Keep it out if you have the ability to do so. My tangs eat everything except the turf stuff __________________ 120x36x30 acrylic display, 1000 gallon sps with lots o fish

08/07/2009, 11:44 AM	#4
Hephalump Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 244	You might consider a turbo snail in there. They're bulldozers and will knock over your corals, but it sounds like you wouldn't have to worry about that...they keep my tank spotless so I just put up with them knocking things over. __________________ You can change your socks, but if you don't wash your feet they will still stink. Current Tank Info: 65 gal bowfront mixed reef, Maxspect Razor 160w, Reef Octopus NW150, Aquamaxx Nano calcium reactor, vortech mp40, pair of ocellaris clowns, starry blenny.

08/07/2009, 09:03 PM	#5
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	^ +1 I had some red turf that was starting to get problematic, especially on my overflow teeth. I got some turbos and the turf was gone within a day. Not just some of it, every possible bit of it was completely gone. Now I feel bad about the turbos because I don't know that I've got enough of anything else to keep them happy. As far as nuisance algae in my fuge, I put a clean up crew in there to keep it under control so I only grow a massive ball of cheato. Nuisance algae does have the tendency to spread to your DT. __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

08/07/2009, 11:36 AM	#2
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	If it goes asexual it can get up into your DT. Obviously it will help to remove nutrients from the system but I wouldn't want to risk it getting spred around.