WMAS Discussion Forum : best hair algae eater

best hair algae eater : Algae fascinates me so it follows...

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 18:10:33 +0000

Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 20 2014 at 6:10pm

Algae fascinates me so it follows that algae control is one of my specialties in this hobby. For what it's worth, here is a list of the best herbivores placed in order of how well they have generally worked for WMAS hobbyists over the years:

1. Snails - Tanks under a year of age especially need snails more than most new hobbyists realize. We older hobbyists often forget that we haven't replenished the snails for so long that their numbers have dwindled enough to allow nuisance algae to crop up. The general rule of thumb is up to one Snail per gallon of tank capacity. Snails, snails and more snails is my motto. The various kinds of useful snails are Astrea, Cerith, Margarita, and Pacific Turbo Snails. Here is my favorite web page about Snails and their helpers the Hermit Crabs. http://www.garf.org/ugly.html Snails and Hermits are the quintessential algae control workers.
*The Stomatella Snail reproduces in our tanks which is ideal, though it looks more like a garden slug than a common snail.

2. Hermit Crabs - Hermits are omnivores so as long as there is algae to eat and so long as there is not too much fish food, they will really help control nuisance algae. We usually consider it good practice keeping up to one Hermit for every 3-5 snails. Hermits can often be useful for mowing down long hair algae.

3. Fish - The Tangs and Blennies are awesome algae eaters if they don't get sidetracked by fish foods. Algae can also taste different in different tanks so don't be surprised if a Tang that loved algae in its old tank, shuns it in the next tank. Give it time and feed sparingly or make it fast for a few days and it may start liking the new algae.

4. Bugs - Before hair algae become a visible nuisance, the many varieties of Amphipods and Copepods can do a marvelous job of eating algae sprouts. Unfortunately, the Wrasses and other carnivores severely deplete bug populations making those tanks vulnerable to sudden nuisance algae blooms. For more on this, read the article Herbivores versus Carnivores in this newsletter: http://www.utahreefs.com/SeaStar/SeaStarJunePrint.pdf

5. Urchin and Chiton - If we could point these guys where we want them to go we would have more luck with them. Unfortunately, the Urchins favorite food is Coralline Algae and the rare Chiton loves stuff growing on surfaces under the sand. Left in the tank long enough(6 months), an Urchin may eat up most nuisance algae, even long hair algae. Snails keep it clean after the longer hair algae has been eaten.

6. Sea Hare Gastropod and Lettuce Nudibranch - These eat bacterial slime and soft coatings of algae on surfaces. They sometimes eat hair algae though it is not their preferred food. They have a tendency to roam the tank in search of their preferred food which exposes them to powerheads. If they don't get sucked into and chopped up by the powerhead, they die of starvation or old age(adult lifespan <1yr), often before doing any damage to the nuisance algae.

Aloha

Edited by Mark Peterson - August 23 2014 at 6:16am

best hair algae eater : AA = Activated Alumina aka Seachem...

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:07:22 +0000

Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 19 2014 at 10:07am

AA = Activated Alumina aka Seachem Phosguard aka Kent Phosphate Sponge. AA seems to literally suck the phosphate right out of the water. Like Tom Hanks in Joe Vs. The Volcano "suck, suck, suck".

best hair algae eater : Oh I forgot about Chitons... they...

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 07:18:43 +0000

Author: Jeremyw
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 19 2014 at 7:18am

Oh I forgot about Chitons... they do eat it!

Faith remind me or text me on Chitons.

best hair algae eater : If you can find them...chitons....

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:33:43 +0000

Author: ReefdUp
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 10:33pm

If you can find them...chitons.

best hair algae eater : I got a lawn mower Lenny to try...

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:02:56 +0000

Author: Hogie
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 10:02pm

I got a lawn mower Lenny to try to take out a small patch of hair, but it doesn't touch it.

best hair algae eater : What about a lawnmower blenny

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:43:17 +0000

Author: badfinger
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 7:43pm

What about a lawnmower blenny

best hair algae eater : I am not familiar with AA... Amino...

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:42:46 +0000

Author: badfinger
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 7:42pm

I am not familiar with AA... Amino acids? Or do you mean AC.... Activated carbon?

best hair algae eater : I've done seahares but they...

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:21:13 +0000

Author: hydro phoenix
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 1:21pm

I've done seahares but they don't live long in the tank.

best hair algae eater : So just to let you all know I've...

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:20:50 +0000

Author: hydro phoenix
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 1:20pm

So just to let you all know I've got the yellow tang caught and separated. He will be going back to the store soon. I don't have time this week to have people over to evaluate the tank as this is the first week of the new semester. Now it's just a matter of getting the phosphates down. I'd appreciate having someone here to help me do my first dosing of AA or GFO. But this week again is really bad.

best hair algae eater : I agree with Bob.Regarding item...

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:15:45 +0000

Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 72576
Posted: August 18 2014 at 8:15am

I agree with Bob.
Regarding item 3, it's simply a matter of using less AA, like just 1/8 - 1/4 cup and since AA is so much less expensive than GFO, it's a great bargain. I have AA for sale at a great price in MarksReef Coral Farm.

Still, a pic of the tank would really help and I believe there is still the matter of dealing with the naughty Yellow Tang without disturbing the rest of the tank. Either train it or catch it.
Faith, have you tried to catch it the easy way at night? Did you try hanging the fish trap up in the water column? Have you tried training the YT? have you tried not feeding for a few days so the YT will get hungry enough to eat the algae?

Aloha

Edited by Mark Peterson - August 18 2014 at 9:08am