WMAS Discussion Forum : identify algae

WMAS Discussion Forum : identify algae http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:44:50 +0000 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:45:57 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=36867 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[identify algae : anyway I got that chaeto in and...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328899&title=identify-algae#328899 Author: becken
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 11 2009 at 9:45pm

anyway I got that chaeto in and its quite a bit, I could spare some if you would like]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:45:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328899&title=identify-algae#328899 <![CDATA[identify algae : not to worried about it,its...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328419&title=identify-algae#328419 Author: Guests
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 10 2009 at 11:11am

not to worried about it,its only on the one rock, it was on the rock when i put it in. the rock came out of a aquarium that was doing very well, and it hasnt spread at all in the 2 months its been in there.

Edited by 93_fd - December 10 2009 at 11:12am]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:11:52 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328419&title=identify-algae#328419 <![CDATA[identify algae : you should put that other pic...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328379&title=identify-algae#328379 Author: becken
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 10 2009 at 12:18am

you should put that other pic up here of the fuzzy white stuff that you said rick didn't know what it was, I think I saw it in two places]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:18:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328379&title=identify-algae#328379 <![CDATA[identify algae : Nice! Mike ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328287&title=identify-algae#328287 Author: Mike Savage
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 09 2009 at 5:26pm

Nice!

Mike

]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:26:30 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328287&title=identify-algae#328287 <![CDATA[identify algae : just a update i put 2 emerald...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328267&title=identify-algae#328267 Author: Guests
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 09 2009 at 4:05pm

just a update i put 2 emerald crabs in the tank, one ran off right away but the other one sat on the coral and ate all the algae until it was gone.]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:05:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=328267&title=identify-algae#328267 <![CDATA[identify algae : You are very welcome. I hope I...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327237&title=identify-algae#327237 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 03 2009 at 11:48pm

You are very welcome. I hope I didn't come across too strong about a hobbyist like Xanth sticking with us to resolve a problem. It just worries me because I hate to hear of someone having a long term problem which we could have helped them solve before they threw in the towel.

I've been there and want to help others avoid the mistakes I made as related here in the story "Saving My Reef" http://www.utahreefs.com/SeaStar/wmasSeaStar02Feb.pdf

]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:48:59 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327237&title=identify-algae#327237 <![CDATA[identify algae : It is true I was over feeding...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327062&title=identify-algae#327062 Author: arthuriv
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 03 2009 at 10:24am

It is true I was over feeding my tank for quite some time and probably still am but at a much lesser amount now. I also had a tendency that when I saw the crabs fighting to try and feed them more as well. I also have a 30 gallon tank that started out as a quarantine tank for some LR I purchased and then used as a grow out tank for other rock I wanted to use. It now has the damsels I used to cycle my 55 gallon tank in it and some hermits and a few snails, if the hermits didn't eat them all. The hermits in this tank are much more efficient because I feed the tank much less often then my 55 gallon.

I'm still really new to salt water tanks and so when I was setting up my first tank a few months ago most all the info I found online (not here, I found this place later) said the opposite of the two snails for every hermit and one snail per gallon. It was 1 hermit for each gallon and half as many snails. I will have to try the 2 snail to every hermit and 1 snail per gallon and see how it works. I would amagin that this is a much better solution as this most likely works for the long term where as with the larger hermit population was more of a short term fix. As the hermit stopped eating the algae would only eat fish food and if I didn't feed them the fish food they would kill each other or my snails.

Mark I always appreciate your opinions and suggestions!!! I know you have been doing this for year and know how to make things work with and without having to spend all that money for the latest technology. I mean I don't have a problem embracing new technology but I'm a very traditional type of person. Most all you suggestion are alway time tested and true!!!

Every time I post needing help with an issue I'm always hoping that you will chime in and give me you suggestions and opinions!!! Thank you!!!

]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:24:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327062&title=identify-algae#327062 <![CDATA[identify algae : "but after awhile they still...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327047&title=identify-algae#327047 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 03 2009 at 7:19am

"but after awhile they still get lazy and just want the fish food and won't eat the algae as much."

You may not realize this but hermits get lazy when they see plenty of tasty food coming into the tank because the hobbyist is overfeeding. You may ask how I can make this kind of judgement based on such a brief statement. Well, I've been at this a long time and have helped hundreds of hobbyists solve their algae problems. I know because I've heard it and seen it many times. I'm not boasting, only trying to help you see that sticking to the advice of this MB will help you solve an algae problem or any other problem with your aquarium.

One thing I should mention is that hobbyists sometimes say that they followed what they read here but it didn't work. If they are brave enough to come back and start communicating back and forth with us, we actually find that they had a slightly different situation or that they didn't fully understand the process or did not completely finish the recommendations. Continuing communication with us here will enable a hobbyist to solve their specific problem. Each problem is slightly different and each tank is slightly different. This means that each solution is slightly different and that one tanks problem may not be solved in the exact same way as another.

Hermit Crabs are opportunistic feeders. They will eat the tastiest and easiest food first. They would rather eat prepared food or a dying fish or snail before bothering with bitter algae.

Most Snails are the opposite of Hermits. Most snails eat only algae. That's why we recommend for every 2 snails, less than one hermit is needed. Snails are the real workhorses when it comes to algae control.

Here is another Rule of Thumb. To ensure that you never have an algae problem, use one snail per gallon.

For example, a 90 gal tank should have 90 snails and less than 45 hermits

The snails should always be a variety of algae eating types like Astrea, Cerith, and Margarita. Nasarrius snails stir the sand and eat detritus so just add a few of them if you like.

The cool thing about herbivorous snails is that if you find there are too many, that they seem to be starving because they are out too often during daylight hours, simply pick them out and give them to a tank in need.

Edited by Mark Peterson - December 03 2009 at 7:23am]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:19:40 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327047&title=identify-algae#327047 <![CDATA[identify algae : About two months afterI setup...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327034&title=identify-algae#327034 Author: arthuriv
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 03 2009 at 1:07am

About two months after I setup my 55 gallon tank, almost the entire tank was covered in hair algae to include growing in the sand. I only had 4 damsels and about 10 hermits I had bought locally. From day one these hermits were lazy. They expected to be feed fish food and had no interest in the algae. So I decided that I needed a bigger clean up crew and it just so happen that TheFu was doing a group order form www.ccritter.com out of Florida. So I order a large clean up crew, about 60 hermits, 40 snails, and 4 emerald crabs. As soon as I dropped these guys into the tank they started cleaning. I was so excited the next morning when I could see spots on my rocks that were like squeaky clean. After about two weeks or so my entire aquarium was squeaky clean. When the algae ran out I move some of them to some of my other tanks, but after awhile they still get lazy and just want the fish food and won't eat the algae as much.]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:07:11 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=327034&title=identify-algae#327034 <![CDATA[identify algae : Welcome Xanth, You'll find...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=326946&title=identify-algae#326946 Author: bfessler
Subject: 36867
Posted: December 02 2009 at 8:17pm

Welcome Xanth,

You'll find lots of friends willing to help. Glad you found us as well.

]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:17:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36867&PID=326946&title=identify-algae#326946