I have just had it! - Page 5

Weatherman · 01/02/2006, 12:45 PM

The Foxface is a little over 3".

After hiding for a few days, it's now very active, but doesn't seem to do any of the continuous nibbling on things like my two tangs and my Coral Beauty do. I tied some Nori to a rock with a rubberband to see if I could encourage it to start eating. It just ignores it. It doesn't appear to eat any of the Spirulina Formula or Prime Reef the four, evil damsels in the tank do.

(Surprisingly, the four, evil damsels are leaving the Foxface alone.)

Radicaljbr · 01/02/2006, 12:53 PM

Can you put a rabbit and a foxfire in the tank together?

Weatherman · 01/02/2006, 12:58 PM

Although IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve never tried, apparently itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not recommended.

It seems to be like mixing tangs. The more similar the two are and the greater the gap between the introduction, the higher the likelihood they will fight. I would think a Foxface and another rabbitfish, like a Doliatus, introduced at the same time, or close to the same time, should be ok (if the tank is large enough).

piercho · 01/02/2006, 02:58 PM

Hmmm. 2 Foxface (Siganus Lo) for me, and both have been easy feeders. Spends most of its time nibbling, and learns to eat dried algae sheets and small bits of flake easily. I have had a problem with a Siganus contracting some sort of stomach infection and getting weak and eventually dieing.

I like a combination of Diadema and Kole tang. Diadema clears the rock, and Kole slows cleared rock from getting grown over by constantly rasping at it. Tank just not big enough to support full-sized specimen of either. And is a pain to put new fragment in tank and have Diadema knock it down before it encrusts.

gstuman · 01/02/2006, 04:57 PM

John,

My Foxface only eats sheets of Nori. He likes the Julian Sprung red algae. He's also the most shy fish in the tank and will run for cover whenever he sees motion outside of the tank.

I received my microhermits and a great cleaner crew from reeftopia.com.

I'm not sure whether they recovered from the Hurricanes ealier this year but the livestock was great. Make you to order the Lettuce Leaf Nudibranches as they eat long hair algae.

boxfishpooalot · 01/02/2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
My sump has chaeto in it.Doesn't grow to much but it's there.

This may be contributing to your problem. Give that chaeto a big shake and see what comes out from it.

Mine was a huge dirt trap,it actually was using the P04 inside it as it rot. If it does not grow fast enough to remove all Po4 then your hair type algae gets the leftovers.

I would remove it and see if it slows.

johnnstacy · 01/02/2006, 07:08 PM

Okay....that's it. The foxface is out. Now I just need to catch him. Ya know, now that I think about it I had a bunch of reef hermits last time I had this brown hair and even when I laid them on top of the stuff, they would not touch it. They would just scurry away. I guess the urchin and maybe a nudibranch are the only alternatives left.

imsqueak · 01/03/2006, 06:15 PM

Not that it will help your current problem but you will greatly enjoy taping a powerhead to a 2' section of 3/4" pvc to blow off your rocks. Turkey baster lasted a week for me and the powerhead on a stick is the only way to go with a bb.

Best of luck.

Radicaljbr · 01/03/2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
Okay....that's it. The foxface is out. Now I just need to catch him. Ya know, now that I think about it I had a bunch of reef hermits last time I had this brown hair and even when I laid them on top of the stuff, they would not touch it. They would just scurry away. I guess the urchin and maybe a nudibranch are the only alternatives left.

sned that fish to me and i will try it

johnnstacy · 01/03/2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by imsqueak
Not that it will help your current problem but you will greatly enjoy taping a powerhead to a 2' section of 3/4" pvc to blow off your rocks. Turkey baster lasted a week for me and the powerhead on a stick is the only way to go with a bb.

Best of luck.

Ya know, I started with a powerhead on a plexiglass rod and I used that for about a year but quit for a couple of reasons. First, all I want to do is blow the stuff so it settles on the bottom or gets caught in the water column. The powerhead blew it to much and it ended up settling somewhere else on the rocks. The next thing was that it was cumbersome. You have to get it out, plug it in and try not to hit anything when moving around plus if you have a canopy then the cord is a pain. I really like the baster as I am more motivated to do it daily, my rocks are cleaner and it's rather simple.

johnnstacy · 01/03/2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Radicaljbr
sned that fish to me and i will try it

He is a pain to catch. Considering a harpoon next. This foxface is the most timid fish I have ever had with the exception of my flame cardinal who is just a waste of space and food. He only comes out for a few seconds to feed and then he is gone for the rest of the day. The foxface is difficult because if he even sees me near the tank, he's gone.

Jimnparadise · 01/06/2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
I had tried an emerald crab in my old tank and found it picking at my yongei coral so I killed it. ... One has died in the sump. Probably starvation as I keep the sump very clean.

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
Oh well. It's just an emerald crab.

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
Anyone know if I would be able to pick one of these up with some tongs or something and move it to where I want it to eat? Will it stay there or are they temperamental?

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnstacy
He is a pain to catch. Considering a harpoon next. This foxface is the most timid fish I have ever had with the exception of my flame cardinal who is just a waste of space and food. He only comes out for a few seconds to feed and then he is gone for the rest of the day. The foxface is difficult because if he even sees me near the tank, he's gone.

Considering your obvious contempt for your livestock Id run too.
Funny how most living things prefer to stay alive.

KingsX · 01/06/2006, 05:40 PM

I had a barhead wabbitfish, who developed a taste for frilly mushrooms. the only I could catch him was to wait til he was asleep and net his arse, tossed him in a fish only tank and went back to bed.. Try that!

wentreefgirl · 01/06/2006, 07:30 PM

Do you have a yellow tang? Mine ate my tank bare.

johnnstacy · 01/06/2006, 09:44 PM

Well, my 7 year old daughter caught the foxface in a trap we made. He went to the fish store. I have an urchin and a lettuce nudibranch on order. Will get them next week.

Guess I could put the yellow tang on the list as well. I really wish there was someone who could make a positive id on this algae. On the other hand, even if I knew the name of it, I probably wouldn't be any closer to eliminating it.

Also added a second phosban reactor today. My PO4 was undectable before I added the first one but I guess having them in there can't hurt. The corals seem to still be doing fine.

One local asked me today what my silicate level is? Silicate level? I don't think I have that test kit. I told him I use an RO/DI unit. He says that wouldn't remove the silicate.......

iCam · 01/06/2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cutiewitbooty
What about a UV Sterilizer (if you don't already have one), I know they can help with algae breakouts, it's just a thought....

I believe it could help with diatoms, but not algae such as hair algae.

johnnstacy · 01/06/2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nihonjin_anemone
I believe it could help with diatoms, but not algae such as hair algae.

Yeah, the UV didn't seem like a viable option although I do use ozone. Hasn't helped with this algae but my tank sure looks clear!

alafish · 01/06/2006, 10:36 PM

I had this type of algae in my old tank. Went out of control, killed coral, was making me nuts. Finally tried the cheapest option offered (after big$$$$ spent on everything else) Dolabella sea hare. Cleared the entire tank in under 2 weeks. Tank was 75 gln w/ 100 or so lbs live rock. "Bugs" left the coralline alone and cleared out everything. If I found him off the rocks, I gently moved him back to an unmown area.

After he cleared it, I took him back to the LFS so he would not starve.

Good luck! Sometimes the best options are the cheapest. (very rare in this hobby)

Marybeth

johnnstacy · 01/06/2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alafish
I had this type of algae in my old tank. Went out of control, killed coral, was making me nuts. Finally tried the cheapest option offered (after big$$$$ spent on everything else) Dolabella sea hare. Cleared the entire tank in under 2 weeks. Tank was 75 gln w/ 100 or so lbs live rock. "Bugs" left the coralline alone and cleared out everything. If I found him off the rocks, I gently moved him back to an unmown area.

After he cleared it, I took him back to the LFS so he would not starve.

Good luck! Sometimes the best options are the cheapest. (very rare in this hobby)

Marybeth

Thank you very much for that advice. Someone else mentioned the sea hare also. I went to the LFS and they had one. He discouraged me from buying it though. He said it was only good for green hair algae. Can you confirm that you had this brown fuzzy tuft type algae?

alafish · 01/06/2006, 11:17 PM

Yup brown fuzzy. Feels kind of rough to the touch, not like the turf type green which feels silky.

Good luck!

mike89t · 01/06/2006, 11:54 PM

Well I think I'm starting to have the same problem. My tank is about 2 months old and this started to pop up after about a month. It's even growing on my reef ceramics. Nasty stuff.

Brown hair algae on reef ceramics in high flow area:

Brown hair algae on live rock:

areze · 01/07/2006, 12:16 AM

this is just an idea....

might be a horrible idea... but.

what if you packed the fish away at a LFS or a nearby reefer. and then spike the ammonia and cholorine levels, to a completely uninhabitable level, and run the tank for a week or 2.

then do a full water change, refill it. you can add dechlorinator to clear up the chlorine, and eventually the cycle will handle the ammonia.

this would be way last resort I think, clearly all of this ammonia and chlorine might be trapped in the rock and you never get the readings back to 0 with the rock in there.

but its just an idea. right before you throw away 2000$ in rock.

johnnstacy · 01/07/2006, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by areze
this is just an idea....

might be a horrible idea... but.

what if you packed the fish away at a LFS or a nearby reefer. and then spike the ammonia and cholorine levels, to a completely uninhabitable level, and run the tank for a week or 2.

then do a full water change, refill it. you can add dechlorinator to clear up the chlorine, and eventually the cycle will handle the ammonia.

this would be way last resort I think, clearly all of this ammonia and chlorine might be trapped in the rock and you never get the readings back to 0 with the rock in there.

but its just an idea. right before you throw away 2000$ in rock.

That is certianly one option.....

The problem I see with this is first of course the fish and then all of the coral. And then yes it would certainly kill the algae but it would likely kill all life including beneficial bacteria. Would likely take months to get the tank back to a habitable state.

The thought of having to throw away this rock is kind of gut wrenching. I really like the rock. It is different then most peoples and looks more natural. Then of course the cost. I think it was 150 lbs at about $5lb. What is that...about $750. Plus having to start all over again would be a bummer.

We'll see what happens. I'm not dead yet.....

johnnstacy · 01/07/2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike89t
Well I think I'm starting to have the same problem. My tank is about 2 months old and this started to pop up after about a month. It's even growing on my reef ceramics. Nasty stuff.

What you have there doesn't seem to be the same thing I am battling. Lucky for you....! That is lighter in color and looks like a typical outbreak for a new tank. I think time and a good clean up crew will take care of that. Good luck.

wentreefgirl · 01/07/2006, 07:01 AM

I suggest maybe bring this algae up on anthonys board all things salty here on rc. He or someone may be able to identify with it. Now sounds like your doing all things right. BUt sometimes we get an outbreak for whatever reason no matter how much we try. This algae sounds like something in the rock is feeding it. But that doesnt mean get rid of the rock. That would be insane. Ive come a long way with the algae battle. I have nsb, 75lbs lr, css skimmer 220, refug in the sump and phosban reactor. I still had residual algae after the phosban reactor went in so i used marine T.L.C. after that. About 6 weeks later along with a yellow tangs help I have an algae clear tank. Its in the sump but not in the display anymore. Ill add pics.

before obviously^
and now.

I feed cyclopeze 3 times a week and feed fish flake sparingly. They contain phos. So with that said, regular water changes, good nutrient control, maybe help in id and perhaps extra nitrifying bacteria and a yellow tang this is where im at. I hope it helps.

01/02/2006, 02:58 PM	#104
piercho Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 2,194	Hmmm. 2 Foxface (Siganus Lo) for me, and both have been easy feeders. Spends most of its time nibbling, and learns to eat dried algae sheets and small bits of flake easily. I have had a problem with a Siganus contracting some sort of stomach infection and getting weak and eventually dieing. I like a combination of Diadema and Kole tang. Diadema clears the rock, and Kole slows cleared rock from getting grown over by constantly rasping at it. Tank just not big enough to support full-sized specimen of either. And is a pain to put new fragment in tank and have Diadema knock it down before it encrusts. __________________ Howard Current Tank Info: 65G reef shut down 2007. 25G planted.

01/02/2006, 04:57 PM	#105
gstuman Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 190	John, My Foxface only eats sheets of Nori. He likes the Julian Sprung red algae. He's also the most shy fish in the tank and will run for cover whenever he sees motion outside of the tank. I received my microhermits and a great cleaner crew from reeftopia.com. I'm not sure whether they recovered from the Hurricanes ealier this year but the livestock was great. Make you to order the Lettuce Leaf Nudibranches as they eat long hair algae. __________________ Regards, Greg Current Tank Info: 60 gal Nuvo and random parts right now.

01/03/2006, 06:15 PM	#108
imsqueak Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Powell/Knoxville TN Posts: 2,250	Not that it will help your current problem but you will greatly enjoy taping a powerhead to a 2' section of 3/4" pvc to blow off your rocks. Turkey baster lasted a week for me and the powerhead on a stick is the only way to go with a bb. Best of luck. __________________ ~.~.~.Squeak.~.~.~ Current Tank Info: 30g Red Sea Reef Max

01/06/2006, 05:40 PM	#113
KingsX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, Washington. Posts: 196	I had a barhead wabbitfish, who developed a taste for frilly mushrooms. the only I could catch him was to wait til he was asleep and net his arse, tossed him in a fish only tank and went back to bed.. Try that! __________________ What is understood, need not be discussed. Current Tank Info: 100gal. display. 30gal fuge, 30 gal sump with PM Bullet 2 & pan-world 100px 2X 250MH,SG @ 1.022. 110 Lbs. live rock, Fiji & Marshall Isl.4x65 2 actinic, 2 daylight

01/06/2006, 11:54 PM	#121
mike89t Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chandler, Az Posts: 1,889	Well I think I'm starting to have the same problem. My tank is about 2 months old and this started to pop up after about a month. It's even growing on my reef ceramics. Nasty stuff. Brown hair algae on reef ceramics in high flow area: Brown hair algae on live rock: __________________ Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks. Current Tank Info: Sold my 150G reef tank. :^(

01/02/2006, 12:45 PM	#101
Weatherman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,619	The Foxface is a little over 3". After hiding for a few days, it's now very active, but doesn't seem to do any of the continuous nibbling on things like my two tangs and my Coral Beauty do. I tied some Nori to a rock with a rubberband to see if I could encourage it to start eating. It just ignores it. It doesn't appear to eat any of the Spirulina Formula or Prime Reef the four, evil damsels in the tank do. (Surprisingly, the four, evil damsels are leaving the Foxface alone.)

01/02/2006, 12:53 PM	#102
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	Can you put a rabbit and a foxfire in the tank together?

01/02/2006, 12:58 PM	#103
Weatherman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,619	Although IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve never tried, apparently itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not recommended. It seems to be like mixing tangs. The more similar the two are and the greater the gap between the introduction, the higher the likelihood they will fight. I would think a Foxface and another rabbitfish, like a Doliatus, introduced at the same time, or close to the same time, should be ok (if the tank is large enough).

01/02/2006, 07:08 PM	#107
johnnstacy Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,043	Okay....that's it. The foxface is out. Now I just need to catch him. Ya know, now that I think about it I had a bunch of reef hermits last time I had this brown hair and even when I laid them on top of the stuff, they would not touch it. They would just scurry away. I guess the urchin and maybe a nudibranch are the only alternatives left.

01/06/2006, 07:30 PM	#114
wentreefgirl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New milford, ct Posts: 3,010	Do you have a yellow tang? Mine ate my tank bare.

01/06/2006, 09:44 PM	#115
johnnstacy Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,043	Well, my 7 year old daughter caught the foxface in a trap we made. He went to the fish store. I have an urchin and a lettuce nudibranch on order. Will get them next week. Guess I could put the yellow tang on the list as well. I really wish there was someone who could make a positive id on this algae. On the other hand, even if I knew the name of it, I probably wouldn't be any closer to eliminating it. Also added a second phosban reactor today. My PO4 was undectable before I added the first one but I guess having them in there can't hurt. The corals seem to still be doing fine. One local asked me today what my silicate level is? Silicate level? I don't think I have that test kit. I told him I use an RO/DI unit. He says that wouldn't remove the silicate.......

01/06/2006, 10:36 PM	#118
alafish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 402	I had this type of algae in my old tank. Went out of control, killed coral, was making me nuts. Finally tried the cheapest option offered (after big$$$$ spent on everything else) Dolabella sea hare. Cleared the entire tank in under 2 weeks. Tank was 75 gln w/ 100 or so lbs live rock. "Bugs" left the coralline alone and cleared out everything. If I found him off the rocks, I gently moved him back to an unmown area. After he cleared it, I took him back to the LFS so he would not starve. Good luck! Sometimes the best options are the cheapest. (very rare in this hobby) Marybeth

01/06/2006, 11:17 PM	#120
alafish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 402	Yup brown fuzzy. Feels kind of rough to the touch, not like the turf type green which feels silky. Good luck!

01/07/2006, 12:16 AM	#122
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	this is just an idea.... might be a horrible idea... but. what if you packed the fish away at a LFS or a nearby reefer. and then spike the ammonia and cholorine levels, to a completely uninhabitable level, and run the tank for a week or 2. then do a full water change, refill it. you can add dechlorinator to clear up the chlorine, and eventually the cycle will handle the ammonia. this would be way last resort I think, clearly all of this ammonia and chlorine might be trapped in the rock and you never get the readings back to 0 with the rock in there. but its just an idea. right before you throw away 2000$ in rock. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

01/07/2006, 07:01 AM	#125
wentreefgirl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New milford, ct Posts: 3,010	I suggest maybe bring this algae up on anthonys board all things salty here on rc. He or someone may be able to identify with it. Now sounds like your doing all things right. BUt sometimes we get an outbreak for whatever reason no matter how much we try. This algae sounds like something in the rock is feeding it. But that doesnt mean get rid of the rock. That would be insane. Ive come a long way with the algae battle. I have nsb, 75lbs lr, css skimmer 220, refug in the sump and phosban reactor. I still had residual algae after the phosban reactor went in so i used marine T.L.C. after that. About 6 weeks later along with a yellow tangs help I have an algae clear tank. Its in the sump but not in the display anymore. Ill add pics. before obviously^ and now. I feed cyclopeze 3 times a week and feed fish flake sparingly. They contain phos. So with that said, regular water changes, good nutrient control, maybe help in id and perhaps extra nitrifying bacteria and a yellow tang this is where im at. I hope it helps.