Algae growing on Halimeda

pleasants9 · 07/30/2018, 08:41 PM

For the first time I have a tank that is quite successful at growing Halimeda plants. My only problem is I find myself often blasting them water to blow off gunk and algae that collects and grows on the leaves. Is this a common problem? Should I invest in a bigger clean up crew, and if so what would be best? I have a small algae blenny and tang in my 125 for algae eaters but i really only have one large hermit crab and a few snails. I used 3x black boxes and 2xT5 with Coral plus bulbs for my lighting.

Newms118 · 07/30/2018, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pleasants9

For the first time I have a tank that is quite successful at growing Halimeda plants. My only problem is I find myself often blasting them water to blow off gunk and algae that collects and grows on the leaves. Is this a common problem? Should I invest in a bigger clean up crew, and if so what would be best? I have a small algae blenny and tang in my 125 for algae eaters but i really only have one large hermit crab and a few snails. I used 3x black boxes and 2xT5 with Coral plus bulbs for my lighting.

If the algae is out of control, Id use fluconazole to get rid of it. It doesnt seem to hurt macroalgae (except red grape, it will kill this).

Michael Hoaster · 08/01/2018, 08:40 AM

Congrats on your success with halimeda! It's a challenging plant. What do you think was the key?

As for crew, I'd recommend getting rid of the large hermit and getting reproducing mini strombus snails. These are the only snails I've seen that are small enough to climb and thoroughly clean macros. According to taricha, Indo-Pacific Sea Farms sells them on their Facebook page, but not on their web site anymore.

SaltySully · 08/01/2018, 08:49 AM

That happens to them all the time. In the wild they are always covered in a few different kinds of algae.

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pleasants9 · 08/26/2018, 01:56 PM

Ive caught my see munching on them from time to time so maybe he is helping the cause of keeping them clean.

07/30/2018, 08:41 PM	#1
pleasants9 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 251	Algae growing on Halimeda For the first time I have a tank that is quite successful at growing Halimeda plants. My only problem is I find myself often blasting them water to blow off gunk and algae that collects and grows on the leaves. Is this a common problem? Should I invest in a bigger clean up crew, and if so what would be best? I have a small algae blenny and tang in my 125 for algae eaters but i really only have one large hermit crab and a few snails. I used 3x black boxes and 2xT5 with Coral plus bulbs for my lighting.

08/01/2018, 08:40 AM	#3
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Congrats on your success with halimeda! It's a challenging plant. What do you think was the key? As for crew, I'd recommend getting rid of the large hermit and getting reproducing mini strombus snails. These are the only snails I've seen that are small enough to climb and thoroughly clean macros. According to taricha, Indo-Pacific Sea Farms sells them on their Facebook page, but not on their web site anymore. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

08/01/2018, 08:49 AM	#4
SaltySully Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Big Pine Key, Fl Posts: 60	That happens to them all the time. In the wild they are always covered in a few different kinds of algae. Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

08/26/2018, 01:56 PM	#5
pleasants9 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 251	Ive caught my see munching on them from time to time so maybe he is helping the cause of keeping them clean.