Could SeaChem Fuel and Reef Roids Be responsible?

RussC · 11/17/2017, 10:52 PM

I started on 10/25 dosing my tank with SeaChem Fuel, a comprehensive carbohydrate, vitamin, amino acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and trace element supplement developed to address nutritional requirements commonly associated with corals. Didn't see any response such as an algae bloom. But its still one, new addictive.

I also started feeding ReefRoids to some of the corals such as my flower pot and polyps. Reef-roids is a mixture of naturally occurring marine planktons including a specific species of zooplankton. Heck, I fed it to every coral in the tank and they loved it. One week after feeding reef roids, though, I have another outbreak of brown algae. I'm betting that's no coincidence.

Anyone used either of these before and had a similar experience? I've also got a stubborn patch of hair algae that absolutely refuses to give up. I've removed some by hand. But usually end up just spreading it. I think its nutrient starved green algae. That's why its brown. But now I've got enough growing on rocks that the tang is picking at them. Combine that with the brown algae and it just looks ugly. I hate ugly.

Today's phosphates are .02. I think my last outbreak lived off silicates and then eventually ate all that and starved to death. But then the hair algae showed up and has been here ever since. So that's why I'm guessing the new additives have something to do with the brown algae returning. Just me being curious. Any thoughts? I absolutely hate how ugly algae is.

mcgyvr · 11/18/2017, 07:42 AM

Normal and expected IMO...
Food in = things get fed.... when things get fed.. they survive/grow,etc..

Algae is just part of the hobby..

RussC · 11/18/2017, 08:01 AM

Yep, makes sense

rtparty · 11/18/2017, 08:56 AM

We need pictures to make an ID of any kind. You may also want to buy a cheap toy microscope from Amazon. They're like $13 right now and will help you ID what exactly you're dealing with

hkgar · 11/18/2017, 12:27 PM

Everything in your tank will live from the food you fed your fish and from photosynthesis from the lights. Additional additives are a waste of money and, as you have found, cause things you do not want. Just make sure your carnivores get meaty food and the herbivores get Nori.

Stop with the snake oil stuff.

You do need a method for exporting wast nutrients, i.e., NO3 and PO4. Exporters are water changes, ATS, carbon dosing and maybe GFS for PO4.

billdogg · 11/18/2017, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Everything in your tank will live from the food you fed your fish and from photosynthesis from the lights. Additional additives are a waste of money and, as you have found, cause things you do not want. Just make sure your carnivores get meaty food and the herbivores get Nori.

Stop with the snake oil stuff.

You do need a method for exporting wast nutrients, i.e., NO3 and PO4. Exporters are water changes, ATS, carbon dosing and maybe GFS for PO4.

^^^This^^^

I don't target feed a thing. The tank gets NLS pellets most days, Rod's original maybe once a week, and rotifers or cyclops maybe once a month. One of the biggest causes of problems, especially for newer reefers, is overfeeding/buying into the hype on additives that in reality do nothing.

And I would suggest GFO for phosphate control, not GFS!

hkgar · 11/18/2017, 03:40 PM

Sometimes the computer just types what it wants. I am sure I didn't type GFS

11/17/2017, 10:52 PM	#1
RussC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast) Posts: 1,405	Could SeaChem Fuel and Reef Roids Be responsible? I started on 10/25 dosing my tank with SeaChem Fuel, a comprehensive carbohydrate, vitamin, amino acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and trace element supplement developed to address nutritional requirements commonly associated with corals. Didn't see any response such as an algae bloom. But its still one, new addictive. I also started feeding ReefRoids to some of the corals such as my flower pot and polyps. Reef-roids is a mixture of naturally occurring marine planktons including a specific species of zooplankton. Heck, I fed it to every coral in the tank and they loved it. One week after feeding reef roids, though, I have another outbreak of brown algae. I'm betting that's no coincidence. Anyone used either of these before and had a similar experience? I've also got a stubborn patch of hair algae that absolutely refuses to give up. I've removed some by hand. But usually end up just spreading it. I think its nutrient starved green algae. That's why its brown. But now I've got enough growing on rocks that the tang is picking at them. Combine that with the brown algae and it just looks ugly. I hate ugly. Today's phosphates are .02. I think my last outbreak lived off silicates and then eventually ate all that and starved to death. But then the hair algae showed up and has been here ever since. So that's why I'm guessing the new additives have something to do with the brown algae returning. Just me being curious. Any thoughts? I absolutely hate how ugly algae is. __________________ When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17

11/18/2017, 07:42 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Normal and expected IMO... Food in = things get fed.... when things get fed.. they survive/grow,etc.. Algae is just part of the hobby.. __________________ Who me?

11/18/2017, 08:01 AM	#3
RussC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast) Posts: 1,405	Yep, makes sense __________________ When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17

11/18/2017, 08:56 AM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	We need pictures to make an ID of any kind. You may also want to buy a cheap toy microscope from Amazon. They're like $13 right now and will help you ID what exactly you're dealing with __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

11/18/2017, 12:27 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Everything in your tank will live from the food you fed your fish and from photosynthesis from the lights. Additional additives are a waste of money and, as you have found, cause things you do not want. Just make sure your carnivores get meaty food and the herbivores get Nori. Stop with the snake oil stuff. You do need a method for exporting wast nutrients, i.e., NO3 and PO4. Exporters are water changes, ATS, carbon dosing and maybe GFS for PO4. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/18/2017, 03:40 PM	#7
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Sometimes the computer just types what it wants. I am sure I didn't type GFS __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels