View Full Version : Nuisance Algae on glass
SaltSolutions1
09/02/2010, 06:20 PM
I know that this is pretty normal in everyone's tank. I get purple coralline circles, I get greenish patches sometimes. Overall it's just a complete pain in the butt. Please post how you overcome this nuisance. I have gone as far as scraping the glass with a razor blade to get it off. But every week it comes back. What's the solution?
Lynnmw1208
09/02/2010, 06:26 PM
I saw this maybe it can help? http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3728+19866&pcatid=19866
sedor
09/02/2010, 06:38 PM
The solution is a refugium, vodka, bio-pellets or gfo. Look into nutrient removal. There is a TON of info about it on the forums.
austin93
09/02/2010, 07:29 PM
Its just part of the hobby. Get a magfloat to clean the glass. I think carbon sources are for a more advanced reefkeeper. Get the basics first. Jmo
sedor
09/02/2010, 08:13 PM
Carbon sources are just one way of dealing with nutrients. If you don't combat the nutrients in your tank then you are always going to have problems with nuisance algae in the tank. The only way of keeping them low without using one of the methods I mentioned before is to feed very little. Vodka can be dangerous when overdosed so its usually advised to stay away from for newcomers, but the other methods I mentioned are bullet proof and impossible to harm your tank with.
Mavrk
09/02/2010, 08:27 PM
A good CUC will keep the green down. Of course low N/P helps too :D
Or you can get one of these (have to watch the video on this one):
http://glassbox-design.com/2010/robosnail-aquarium-cleaner/
SaltSolutions1
09/02/2010, 08:37 PM
A good CUC will keep the green down. Of course low N/P helps too :D
Or you can get one of these (have to watch the video on this one):
http://glassbox-design.com/2010/robosnail-aquarium-cleaner/
Any suggestions on some good CUCs and where I can get some. Also, that robosnail thing looks awesome! I don't think it jumps corners though. Plus once it gets close to the substrate it may not work as well scratching glass. Has it made it to the market yet?
SaltSolutions1
09/02/2010, 08:39 PM
Carbon sources are just one way of dealing with nutrients. If you don't combat the nutrients in your tank then you are always going to have problems with nuisance algae in the tank. The only way of keeping them low without using one of the methods I mentioned before is to feed very little. Vodka can be dangerous when overdosed so its usually advised to stay away from for newcomers, but the other methods I mentioned are bullet proof and impossible to harm your tank with.
Thanks. I have a refugium. My chaeto doesn't really grow though. I have a thread posted about that too. I have read up on vodka dosing but never tried it. I'm thinking about working on my refugium first. And then see what happens after that.
Mavrk
09/02/2010, 08:45 PM
Any suggestions on some good CUCs and where I can get some. Also, that robosnail thing looks awesome! I don't think it jumps corners though. Plus once it gets close to the substrate it may not work as well scratching glass. Has it made it to the market yet?
I think it has some ways to limit where it goes. Yeah, not turning corners stinks, but the back is the one I can't get to with my mag float :D It is not out yet, but is expected to cost about 150 bucks. I will not be getting one.
For CUC the snails I like are Trochus, Cerith, Nerite, and Turbos (but some of these can bulldoze frags while many others are from colder water... so I have no Turbos). For the sand, Nassarius and Cerith do a great job.
I leave the back alone, but clean the front and sides about once a week to keep the coralline from sticking. My CUC does the rest.
Mavrk
09/02/2010, 08:47 PM
Thanks. I have a refugium. My chaeto doesn't really grow though. I have a thread posted about that too. I have read up on vodka dosing but never tried it. I'm thinking about working on my refugium first. And then see what happens after that.
I couldn't grow chaeto at first either, and it grows really slow now. What are your parameters? I guess I should find that other thread to see what has been said already.
SaltSolutions1
09/02/2010, 08:54 PM
Specific Gravity 1.026
Temperature 78 degrees
Calcium 450
Nitrates 0
Phosphates 0
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
PH 8.3
Alkalinity 10dKH
Magnesium 1300 ppm
I've been running the fuge light 6 hours on and then 6 off in cycles like that with no success. My question in the other thread was if I should run it 24/7.
Mavrk
09/02/2010, 09:50 PM
You can run the fuge lights 24/7, but I much prefer to run it exactly opposite my regular lights. I think they need a rest from the light, but many people keep it running. I would say you could do 16 hours, but to me it makes the most sense to run it opposite the tank lights.
aleonn
09/02/2010, 10:55 PM
I'd shorten the lighting cycle, add more chemical filtration, feed a little less, and get a few more turbos :)
Mavrk
09/02/2010, 11:20 PM
I'd shorten the lighting cycle, add more chemical filtration, feed a little less, and get a few more turbos :)
Not bad ideas, but I would elaborate a little on the "chemical filtration". Running GFO will help.
Do you have a skimmer? That will help.
If you have fish, then I venture to guess that reading all these "feed less" posts have got you afraid to feed the right amount. Feed less, but feed more often. If your fish are not nicely rounded, then feed more. If you can see their ribs, feed even more.
If you have anemones or coral, then you might not be able to shorten the lighting cycle much. If you have FOWLR, only run lights when you are home and that will help.
Turbos are great, but as stated previously can be bulldozers. I would start with only one of those and see how it goes from there. Remember that if all your algae is gone, the snails will start dying off until you have enough algae to sustain what you have.
Water changes help a lot. Also using RO/DI water really helps.
Finally, for coralline other than an urchin, a kent scraper is a good tool to have.
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