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Unread 12/17/2013, 06:03 PM   #1
LBR
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Questions about algae in saltwater aquarium

Hi, I have a question about algae growing in my 29 gallon biocube saltwater aquarium. When the tank was cycling I got some green plant from my lfs (i think it is chaeto?) At first i didn't think it would take off & it seemed like the emerald crab I had was going to eat it all, but now it has taken over and grown all over the rock & in the sand & everything. Besides that, I have some green grass-like growth & a few patches of bushy darker green growth on some of the rock. I am curious to know what kind of algae and/or plants I have in my tank & what are the benefits / drawbacks of having them. I thought about doing more landscaping & cleaning things up a bit, but I was also thinking it would be good to keep for housing copepods, brine shrimp, and other tiny crustaceans (since i don't have room for a refugium) Is it realistic to think I could have a thriving population of copepods and small crustaceans in the main tank? I have 2 clowns, a green chromis, a firefish goby, & clean up crew. Any response is appreciated, thanks!






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Unread 12/18/2013, 12:43 PM   #2
Dr4g0nf1y
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The soft green algae could either be hair algae or a species of bryopsis, neither are usually welcome in a tank and you may be beginning the fight with that invader. The other algae shown in the picture could be caulerpa prolifera. Some people do use that caulerpa for biotype tanks. I have seen it with seahorses / pipefish.


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Unread 12/18/2013, 03:02 PM   #3
Uncle Salty 05
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+1
The stuff that looks like giant blades of grass is caulerpa prolifera and can be used as a means of nutrient export to keep your nitrates and phosphates lower, when harvested regularly.
The fuzzy looking stuff looks like bryopsis to me and will over-run your tank in no time.
Remove as much as possible manually and keep your fingers crossed.
Caulerpa prolifera does grow quickly and may be able out compete the bryopsis for available nutrients.
Good luck!


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Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.
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Unread 12/18/2013, 05:04 PM   #4
IslandCrow
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Unfortunately, tha caulerpa is going to be a big issue. I can't tell if the other is hair algae or bryopsis, but both can be eliminated (or at least controlled) with some effort. Caulerpa on the other hand is extremely difficult to control. It's toxic to most animals, so there's almost nothing that eats it. Manual removal is pretty much impossible. When people use it for nutrient control, it's almost never used in the display tank. Instead, it's put in a separate tank connected to the main tank (i.e. a refugium). The LFS owner/employee really should have that. This stuff is actually illegal in California because of the damage done to the ecosystem there.

For the hair algae/bryposis, nutrient control (i.e. reducing nitrates and phosphates) is the first step. For both types of algae, this should be supplimented with manual removal, to include removing the rocks from the tank, removing as much as possible by hand or even by scrubbing the rocks (a med-hard bristled toothbrush works well) and then rinsing the rocks in freshly made saltwater before returning to the tank.

Best of luck.


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Unread 12/19/2013, 06:49 AM   #5
Uncle Salty 05
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Caulerpa is not toxic and in my experience easily controlled.
Just pull it out roots and all like weeding a garden.
It is true that it should never be introduced to any natural area due to it's rapid growth which can and will overtake the existing vegetation.
When harvested it should always go in the garbage, never down the toilet or in the sea.

http://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookprolifera.htm


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In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure.
Knowledge and reason, change like the season.
A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren

Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.
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Unread 12/19/2013, 08:59 AM   #6
brandon429
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each pull will produce clouds of waste to fuel more algae of the other kind

rid this tank of all algae


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Unread 12/19/2013, 09:09 AM   #7
Uncle Salty 05
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I disagree.
If you like the look of the caulerpa, leave it and harvest it.
If you don't, then eliminate it or add a refugium and move it there.


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In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure.
Knowledge and reason, change like the season.
A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren

Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.
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Unread 12/19/2013, 11:51 AM   #8
cloak
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FWIW, every time I tried to grow caulerpa in my DT, (different varieties) it would live/grow for about two or three weeks and then turn clear and disintegrate. The tank would also take on this slimey appearance for about a week or so before it cleared up. (along with a large water change) I don't know if the caulerpa was toxic or not, but the corals did not seem to appreciate this. No more macro algae's for me.


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