Can some explain this algae phase ? New tank

[christwendt]

Its a good time to overstock astreia ,nerite snails. add 2 or 3 large hermits to eat the snails. as the food runs out. Urchants are exelent rock polishers before coraline starts

Ohhh that’s so cleaver. So the Astreia, and nerite eat this algae and when there’s no more left the hermits will eat them? How many urchants should
I get for 20 gallon AIO.

 

[christwendt]

Its a good time to overstock astreia ,nerite snails. add 2 or 3 large hermits to eat the snails. as the food runs out. Urchants are exelent rock polishers before coraline starts

Could you classify this algae as blue green ? Cyano ?

 

[Copingwithpods]

Its a good time to overstock astreia ,nerite snails. add 2 or 3 large hermits to eat the snails. as the food runs out. Urchants are exelent rock polishers before coraline starts

I wouldn't recommend over stocking snails specially with the idea of feeding them to large hermit crabs.

Stock your cuc just above the number you'll need for the algae you will have and not the algae you currently have. Overstocking leads to die off which leads to nutrient blooms which leads to algae blooms which leads to Overstocking ect.

Also remember that your cuc is part of your bioload, they eat and so they poop. Raise this number slowly and remove any dead critters asap. A young tank is an unstable tank.

 

[Copingwithpods]

Ohhh that’s so cleaver. So the Astreia, and nerite eat this algae and when there’s no more left the hermits will eat them? How many urchants should
I get for 20 gallon AIO.

See my reply above

Unless you are planning to feed the urchin after he runs out of food I wouldn't recommend any urchin for a young tank. Urchins also come with their own baggage, they bulldoze corals, rocks and just about everything else. They also eat coraline algae so any new spots that spring up will be almost immediately mowed down. Stick with a few more snails and crabs and adjust as needed.

Remember this is a normal stage in the tanks cycle, not something that needs to immediately corrected.

 

[christwendt]

See my reply above

Unless you are planning to feed the urchin after he runs out of food I wouldn't recommend any urchin for a young tank. Urchins also come with their own baggage, they bulldoze corals, rocks and just about everything else. They also eat coraline algae so any new spots that spring up will be almost immediately mowed down. Stick with a few more snails and crabs and adjust as needed.

Remember this is a normal stage in the tanks cycle, not something that needs to immediately corrected.

Thank you I read both responses. It helps to know this is a normal state in a tanks cycle and it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll add a few more snails in a few weeks or if it gets really bad.

 

[Birddog61]

Could you classify this algae as blue green ? Cyano ?

Cyano is burgundy color and a bacteria. Sometimes a little brownish . I can't tell you what exact algae it is. Most times its a mute point as the recomended snails will eat all green algae when in short/film stage. Once grown out urchants tangs or manual labor are required. 1 larger long spine. Or 2 small long spine or 2 pin cushion remember smaller urchants fit in smaller spaces be prepaired to give the urchants away if ya want coraline when your water param is mature /stable

 

[DanConnor]

Haha I can’t wait. I’ve been trying to be too perfect with this. Need to relax some I think and let time take its course. I got two Trochus and two that bury in the sand and come out when food is near/ dead things.

Maybe add a few astreas to the trochus.

 

[christwendt]

Maybe add a few astreas to the trochus.

Cool thank you I like the idea and the logic behind what you have said! Appreciate it I’ll grab some tomorrow

 

[christwendt]

Cyano is burgundy color and a bacteria. Sometimes a little brownish . I can't tell you what exact algae it is. Most times its a mute point as the recomended snails will eat all green algae when in short/film stage. Once grown out urchants tangs or manual labor are required. 1 larger long spine. Or 2 small long spine or 2 pin cushion remember smaller urchants fit in smaller spaces be prepaired to give the urchants away if ya want coraline when your water param is mature /stable

Thank you that for all that knowledge. I just wanted to be proactive if anything was going wrong but it makes sense to just add more cuc as needed.

 

[Reeferstin]

So wait turn off my skimmer and lay back on water changes will get rid of the algae? I have added a bottle of dr Tim’s during the cycle phase. Can you explain more please ?

Yes let it be i left my tank alone for a week or two no filter cleaning and no water change add some bacteria and if its bad enough turn your lights off for 3 days maybe 2 will be enough

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Looks like the beginning of GHA, it will come, try to stay on it, and get a ton for your clean up crew

 

[christwendt]

Yes let it be i left my tank alone for a week or two no filter cleaning and no water change add some bacteria and if its bad enough turn your lights off for 3 days maybe 2 will be enough

Thank you everything is looking much better. I removed the carbon and gfo. I have 8 nitrates and .19 phosphates and my blasto is looking very happy

 

[christwendt]

Looks like the beginning of GHA, it will come, try to stay on it, and get a ton for your clean up crew

I’m noticing white returning on my rock. I’m assuming that’s my green algae going away? I’ve lowered my lights by 2 hours. I’m unsure if I need more clean up crew. 20 gallon AIO - 3 blue hermits , 2 trochus snails , 2 snails that bury in the sand and come out when I feed frozen / dead stuff. Do you think that’s enough cuc ?