masive abouts of lMacro algea in the display

nano10 · 08/22/2006, 05:49 PM

I need you guys to help me out with this adventure. As I'm sure its going to turn into one. I have massive amounts of macroalgae in my tank and since its only a 10g I've decided to replace all of the live rock and since its rooted into the live sand it too. What would you suggest the best way to do this?

tank inhabitants

1 false perc
1 star fish
5 red leg hermits
2 blue legs
numerous snails
zoa's going to lose some that have macroalgae growing in the rock there attached to.
1 finger leather
1 umbrella leather
4 types of ricordia
misc shrooms
1 large hairy shroom
1 4 headed frogspwawn
currently 20lbs lr 20lbs ls

Current set up

nano10 · 08/22/2006, 06:40 PM

No one has any advise for me?

Tu Ku · 08/22/2006, 06:58 PM

Get a tang, any tang, or a small angel. When you put the fish in the tank, pull out as much macro as you possibly can by hand, and leave the rest for the fish to pick off.

reefNetWork · 08/22/2006, 07:23 PM

Tang in a 10 gallon? haha that would be crazy.

nano10 · 08/23/2006, 09:24 AM

Ok this is pathetic, i the only replies i got were from TuKu saying put a tang any tang in there. And reefnetwork luaghing at a tang in a 10. I would have to believe that with 61 views someone would have a better idea then a tang. Is a tang really my best bet? If so what tang would be ideal? Are there any that tend to grow slower? i have to admit that a Blue Hippo I've always thought would look cool in it.

Sk8r · 08/23/2006, 09:31 AM

Nope, get a hairy colored pincushion urchin, red stripe: you can get one from Foster/Smith, and in the comment box, specify you've only got a 10 gallon tank and need the smallest one they've got. I have a giant one in my 52gal, and I can say he's a voracious caulerpa eater [few but this breed will be] and that he senses corals and has nothing to do with them. A really delicate cleaner, for his size. He'll keep it in check: I don't say he can get all of it, but he'll get any strand that pokes above rock level...plus he has a knack of grabbing a strand and pulling persistently until he gets most of it. Cheap, and easy to catch if you ever have to trade him.

reefinmike · 08/23/2006, 10:08 AM

a sea hare, live aquaria has them

LOTUS50GOD · 08/23/2006, 11:24 AM

emerald crabs will mow down macro algea... at least some of it. 2 small females should do your tank well

jeffbrig · 08/23/2006, 11:36 AM

I was at a Julian Sprung lecture last night on algae. One suggestion he had that I hadn't heard before was to add a Diadema urchin (longspine). Also, he said many algaes thrive in low-alkalinity, so make sure you keep your alkalinity up.

nano10 · 08/23/2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOTUS50GOD
emerald crabs will mow down macro algea... at least some of it. 2 small females should do your tank well

i have two in there now and they don't touch the stuff

Joao Monteiro · 08/23/2006, 01:10 PM

I believe what you have is caulerpa racemosa.
They can be a pest if not controlled. I used to have it in my 15g nano and was able to control just by pulling it of every week or so. I imagine youÂ´ve already tried this and didnÂ´t work.
But, looking at the pictures, IÂ´d give another try and that would remove most of it.

As for the remaning roots, I think you have 3 options:

- 3 day blackout. No problem with the softies;
- Introduce a Mythrax crab (sometimes bad reputation but I had several with no problem at all. They prefer valonia algae but may also go for the caulerpa roots);
- Sea urchin - the already mentioned diadema ou a Mespillia globulus (donÂ´t know the English name).

I would not move and replace the LR. In a nano, that may cause a disaster.

In any case I would be more concerned about the Aipatsia you have. They can be a much bigger problem than the caulerpa

nano10 · 08/23/2006, 01:40 PM

The algea is deffently grape caulerpa.

i'm going to stop at the LFS on the way home and get something to fix this problem, i may try a Mythrax crab if they have one. But one way or the other i'm coming home with a solution. tang slug or crab what ever i can find.

RichConley · 08/23/2006, 02:34 PM

Do you have a sump? If so, pull out all you can, adn throw it on there. If thers more in the sump than in the display, it should slow down the growth in the display. Just keep pulling it out of the display, and you win.

Urchins will eat it.

(edit: A 3 day blackout isnt going to phase a macroalgae)

nano10 · 08/24/2006, 01:04 PM

No sump just a fuge, Does anyone know where i can order a Urchin with out paying and arm and leg for shipping? If i have to order one online and pay more then it would cost me to get a tang at a LFS. Then im going to get a tang. I don't want to spend a load of money hoping it will eat the algea when i already know a tang will eat it.

Joao Monteiro · 08/24/2006, 01:11 PM

A Tang...???? Come on...Money isnÂ´t the only issue here

I could find you a sea urchin, but you would pay even more than an arm and leg in shipping

Tu Ku · 08/24/2006, 01:32 PM

Nobody wants anything from Portugal anyway.

Joao Monteiro · 08/24/2006, 01:35 PM

Judging by your 2 posts in this thread, you seem to be a vey inteligent fellow.

Keep it on. WeÂ´re looking forward to reading your clever remarks.

MayoBoy · 08/24/2006, 01:43 PM

Is there anyone local (reef club etc) with a bigger tank and a tang that would "host" the rock for you? Put it in their tank and let the tang clean it up.

Of course, you'll both have to be sure that neither one has any bad stuff (aiptasia, flatworms, etc)

Tu Ku · 08/24/2006, 01:44 PM

Hey you got to flame me, it's only fair that you get flamed back. Why don't you grow up.

08/22/2006, 05:49 PM	#1
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	masive abouts of lMacro algea in the display I need you guys to help me out with this adventure. As I'm sure its going to turn into one. I have massive amounts of macroalgae in my tank and since its only a 10g I've decided to replace all of the live rock and since its rooted into the live sand it too. What would you suggest the best way to do this? tank inhabitants 1 false perc 1 star fish 5 red leg hermits 2 blue legs numerous snails zoa's going to lose some that have macroalgae growing in the rock there attached to. 1 finger leather 1 umbrella leather 4 types of ricordia misc shrooms 1 large hairy shroom 1 4 headed frogspwawn currently 20lbs lr 20lbs ls Current set up Last edited by nano10; 08/22/2006 at 06:03 PM.

08/22/2006, 07:23 PM	#4
reefNetWork Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 365	Tang in a 10 gallon? haha that would be crazy. __________________ William Current Tank Info: 80 gallon reef. 20 Gallon Sump. Little Giant MDQX - SC Pump. ASM G1x skimmer. 4x96 watt 50/50 PCs

08/23/2006, 09:31 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Nope, get a hairy colored pincushion urchin, red stripe: you can get one from Foster/Smith, and in the comment box, specify you've only got a 10 gallon tank and need the smallest one they've got. I have a giant one in my 52gal, and I can say he's a voracious caulerpa eater [few but this breed will be] and that he senses corals and has nothing to do with them. A really delicate cleaner, for his size. He'll keep it in check: I don't say he can get all of it, but he'll get any strand that pokes above rock level...plus he has a knack of grabbing a strand and pulling persistently until he gets most of it. Cheap, and easy to catch if you ever have to trade him. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/23/2006, 10:08 AM	#7
reefinmike Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ohio Posts: 846	a sea hare, live aquaria has them __________________ 90g reef lit by 2 kessil 360's and 4 T5's. 55g sump/fuge, eshopps s-200 skimmer and slowly working on getting every apex gadget

08/23/2006, 11:24 AM	#8
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	emerald crabs will mow down macro algea... at least some of it. 2 small females should do your tank well __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

08/22/2006, 06:40 PM	#2
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	No one has any advise for me?

08/22/2006, 06:58 PM	#3
Tu Ku Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 353	Get a tang, any tang, or a small angel. When you put the fish in the tank, pull out as much macro as you possibly can by hand, and leave the rest for the fish to pick off.

08/23/2006, 09:24 AM	#5
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	Ok this is pathetic, i the only replies i got were from TuKu saying put a tang any tang in there. And reefnetwork luaghing at a tang in a 10. I would have to believe that with 61 views someone would have a better idea then a tang. Is a tang really my best bet? If so what tang would be ideal? Are there any that tend to grow slower? i have to admit that a Blue Hippo I've always thought would look cool in it.

08/23/2006, 11:36 AM	#9
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	I was at a Julian Sprung lecture last night on algae. One suggestion he had that I hadn't heard before was to add a Diadema urchin (longspine). Also, he said many algaes thrive in low-alkalinity, so make sure you keep your alkalinity up. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider

08/23/2006, 01:10 PM	#11
Joao Monteiro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lisbon (Portugal) Posts: 256	I believe what you have is caulerpa racemosa. They can be a pest if not controlled. I used to have it in my 15g nano and was able to control just by pulling it of every week or so. I imagine youÂ´ve already tried this and didnÂ´t work. But, looking at the pictures, IÂ´d give another try and that would remove most of it. As for the remaning roots, I think you have 3 options: - 3 day blackout. No problem with the softies; - Introduce a Mythrax crab (sometimes bad reputation but I had several with no problem at all. They prefer valonia algae but may also go for the caulerpa roots); - Sea urchin - the already mentioned diadema ou a Mespillia globulus (donÂ´t know the English name). I would not move and replace the LR. In a nano, that may cause a disaster. In any case I would be more concerned about the Aipatsia you have. They can be a much bigger problem than the caulerpa

08/23/2006, 01:40 PM	#12
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	The algea is deffently grape caulerpa. i'm going to stop at the LFS on the way home and get something to fix this problem, i may try a Mythrax crab if they have one. But one way or the other i'm coming home with a solution. tang slug or crab what ever i can find.

08/23/2006, 02:34 PM	#13
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Do you have a sump? If so, pull out all you can, adn throw it on there. If thers more in the sump than in the display, it should slow down the growth in the display. Just keep pulling it out of the display, and you win. Urchins will eat it. (edit: A 3 day blackout isnt going to phase a macroalgae) __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/24/2006, 01:04 PM	#14
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	No sump just a fuge, Does anyone know where i can order a Urchin with out paying and arm and leg for shipping? If i have to order one online and pay more then it would cost me to get a tang at a LFS. Then im going to get a tang. I don't want to spend a load of money hoping it will eat the algea when i already know a tang will eat it.

08/24/2006, 01:11 PM	#15
Joao Monteiro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lisbon (Portugal) Posts: 256	A Tang...???? Come on...Money isnÂ´t the only issue here I could find you a sea urchin, but you would pay even more than an arm and leg in shipping

08/24/2006, 01:32 PM	#16
Tu Ku Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 353	Nobody wants anything from Portugal anyway.

08/24/2006, 01:35 PM	#17
Joao Monteiro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lisbon (Portugal) Posts: 256	Judging by your 2 posts in this thread, you seem to be a vey inteligent fellow. Keep it on. WeÂ´re looking forward to reading your clever remarks.

08/24/2006, 01:43 PM	#18
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	Is there anyone local (reef club etc) with a bigger tank and a tang that would "host" the rock for you? Put it in their tank and let the tang clean it up. Of course, you'll both have to be sure that neither one has any bad stuff (aiptasia, flatworms, etc) __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

08/24/2006, 01:44 PM	#19
Tu Ku Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 353	Hey you got to flame me, it's only fair that you get flamed back. Why don't you grow up.