Halimeda problem

rjwilcox · 02/27/2011, 08:59 AM

whats the best way to rid display tank of halemeda alage. is there a fish that will eat it. i think my yellow tang picks at it.

MalHavoc · 02/27/2011, 09:13 AM

It's a calcium-based algae and really hard for anything to chew. I'd guess that an urchin would have the necessary teeth to eat it but most fish probably shy away for that reason. The best way to deal with it is to remove it. My old tank had a lot of it, and while I liked it (exactly because nothing ate it), I found myself dosing a lot of calcium/alkalinity supplements when it was growing well.

Palting · 02/27/2011, 12:34 PM

Here's a link: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/nftt/index.php . "Few fish if any feed on it" along with "Not tolerant to extensive pruning" seeem to be a characteristics that indicate pruning is your best bet at control.

I have a few just starting to grow on one rock after almost a year of hibernation. Not quite sure I want to get rid of it, or keep it as an in-tank macroalgae. I am interested in anyone's opinion on this.

natsak1 · 02/27/2011, 04:34 PM

I'd have to agree with Palting, pruning will eventually get rid of it. At least it doesn't come back as fast as other macro algae.

02/27/2011, 08:59 AM	#1
rjwilcox Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 60	Halimeda problem whats the best way to rid display tank of halemeda alage. is there a fish that will eat it. i think my yellow tang picks at it.

02/27/2011, 09:13 AM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	It's a calcium-based algae and really hard for anything to chew. I'd guess that an urchin would have the necessary teeth to eat it but most fish probably shy away for that reason. The best way to deal with it is to remove it. My old tank had a lot of it, and while I liked it (exactly because nothing ate it), I found myself dosing a lot of calcium/alkalinity supplements when it was growing well. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

02/27/2011, 12:34 PM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Here's a link: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/nftt/index.php . "Few fish if any feed on it" along with "Not tolerant to extensive pruning" seeem to be a characteristics that indicate pruning is your best bet at control. I have a few just starting to grow on one rock after almost a year of hibernation. Not quite sure I want to get rid of it, or keep it as an in-tank macroalgae. I am interested in anyone's opinion on this. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/27/2011, 04:34 PM	#4
natsak1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 74	I'd have to agree with Palting, pruning will eventually get rid of it. At least it doesn't come back as fast as other macro algae. Last edited by natsak1; 02/27/2011 at 04:34 PM. Reason: typo

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