Sea Slugs and Glass Anemones?

[Pigpen17]

Hello. It's me again. Still pondering what I can add here.

So my GHA is probably not going to fix itself. I've been running GFO for months, and I think it's actually getting worse. I think need to add a grazer to the mix. I think I know what my problem is. I am a notorious over feeder and as well my rocks are very old, having spent a lot of time in tap water. Also, I don't have an RODI unit. I buy filtered water from a water store. It's is RO water, but it may still not be pure enough. Yeah. It sounds like I'm doing a lot of things wrong, but I can't buy all new rock, and I would rather not cut down on feeding.

Tank Parameters:
SG: 1.026
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 0-0.2
Temp: 79.8
ALK: 8.5-9

I also have a huge glass anemone problem. I hate these guys. I have nuked many of them with boiling water in a syringe, but they just keep coming back in force. I added a few Peppermint Shrimps, but they are either not keeping up, or not eating them.

So that's the background information. Now my question is, I was thinking of adding a Sea Slug or something like that. But I am concerned about it getting stung to death. Should I try adding one, or is it a forgone conclusion that it will die by stings?

Photo of Glass Anemone:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/glass.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/glass.jpg.html)

Tank Shot:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/Tank%20Shot.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/Tank%20Shot.jpg.html)

I am also alternatively considering buying more Red Hermits, an Emerald Crab, or a Lawnmower Blenny.

Livestock:
Midas Blenny
Red Elongated Dottyback
2- Vanderbuilt Chromis
Black Barred Circus Goby
Porcilaine Crab
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2- Peppermint Shrimp
Serpent Star
5 Hermits
Assorted snails

Any advice is appreciated. I take adding new animals very seriously, and I don't want to put anything already in my tank at risk, or doom a new addition to death.

[ratherbeflyen]

If you have algae, that means you have nutrients in your water that supports it. Algae does remove the waste products in your water. If you successfully beat back the algae, you will then have to find another way to remove the waste.

My suggestion is to embrace it instead of fighting it. All you have to do is create a spot, or green house, that is easier for your algae to grow and easier for you to clean, or an algae scrubber. You can buy one or build your own. I will never have another tank without one. I even have one in my hospital tank.

Here's a good, though long, place to start.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420&highlight=algae+scrubber

[Sugar Magnolia]

Those aren't glass anemones, they're psuedocorynactis, ball tip anemones. Pretty bad harmless.

[Bent]

1: nems are fine.

2: algae doesn't look too bad.

2: instead of grazers, which probably won't touch it. I would black the tank out for about 3 days and let that kill it. If it comes back, then you still have a nutrient problem and you need to increase your GFO amount.

Also, you may have to replace your GFO more often than usual until the source depletes.

Check the po4 level of the tank against the po4 level of the reactor output. Once they reach the same levels it's time to replace it. It could be as fast as a day.

[Pigpen17]

If you have algae, that means you have nutrients in your water that supports it. Algae does remove the waste products in your water. If you successfully beat back the algae, you will then have to find another way to remove the waste.

My suggestion is to embrace it instead of fighting it. All you have to do is create a spot, or green house, that is easier for your algae to grow and easier for you to clean, or an algae scrubber. You can buy one or build your own. I will never have another tank without one. I even have one in my hospital tank.

Here's a good, though long, place to start.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420&highlight=algae+scrubber

Thanks. I have no sump though, so an HOB alternative is about all I can do. My Long term plan is to beat back this GHA and then add a lot of in tank Macro's to handle the nutrients. I have tried to add them now, but they just get overwhelmed by the current algae. So what I would like to do is get this under control and then basically have an in tank refugium.

Those aren't glass anemones, they're psuedocorynactis, ball tip anemones. Pretty bad harmless.

Really? No stings? Cause I would love to add a Sea Slug. I get a kick out of creatures that have the "What the heck is that!" factor.

[johnike]

I love it when it's not Aiptasia for a change.
;)
:)
Nice looking setup.

[Bent]

Whatever sea slug you get is going to become mince meat in the powerhead. It's not a matter of if, but when.

[Pigpen17]

1: nems are fine.

2: algae doesn't look too bad.

2: instead of grazers, which probably won't touch it. I would black the tank out for about 3 days and let that kill it. If it comes back, then you still have a nutrient problem and you need to increase your GFO amount.

Also, you may have to replace your GFO more often than usual until the source depletes.

Check the po4 level of the tank against the po4 level of the reactor output. Once they reach the same levels it's time to replace it. It could be as fast as a day.

Thanks. I had the tank blacked out for almost 30 days before. You know, I read this one here and just sort of never put the whole thing together. In fact I think it was one of your replies in another thread. I've been changing the GFO about once a month. I should up it to once a week and do another black out period.

Still, I would love to add a Sea slug as well.

[Pigpen17]

I love it when it's not Aiptasia for a change.
;)
:)
Nice looking setup.

Thank you!

[Pigpen17]

Whatever sea slug you get is going to become mince meat in the powerhead. It's not a matter of if, but when.

Should I buy sponge covers? Oh wait. the front will still be open. Hmmmmm.

[Bent]

Should I buy sponge covers? Oh wait. the front will still be open. Hmmmmm.

Powerheads and sea slugs don't mix. The only way to prevent them from being chopped by one is to not have any.

[Pigpen17]

Bummer. Yeah, it sounds like a bad idea.

What about an Urchin? Maybe add some more Porcelain Anemone Crabs? The rock my crab lives on now is almost algae free.

[ratherbeflyen]

Thanks. I have no sump though, so an HOB alternative is about all I can do.

Ok, so do that.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Djz5DQ5_Io4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I did.

[Bent]

Bummer. Yeah, it sounds like a bad idea.

What about an Urchin? Maybe add some more Porcelain Anemone Crabs? The rock my crab lives on now is almost algae free.

Urchins are fine. Just don't get the long spines. They grow to the size of a basketball.

[Pigpen17]

Ok, so do that.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Djz5DQ5_Io4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I did.

Oh that's cool. I have an Aquaclear 70 just sitting on a shelf. Thanks!

Urchins are fine. Just don't get the long spines. They grow to the size of a basketball.

Cool. That might work out just fine. Thank you.

[ratherbeflyen]

You're welcome. Keep us posted on the project.