Frag tank Algea Problem

[Salty Dog]

I have a small 30g frag tank plumbed into my main. This tank has all my chalice frags and acans. I was feeding the corals every other day for maybe 2 months. I started to see hair algea growth so I slowed the feeding down. The flow in this tank was rather low so I added a power head (500gph) . I dont have any livestock in the tank besides a few snails. I stoped feeding all togther because the algea got thick. Im nervous of smoothering the corals. Lighting is Power compact blue + ,I dont use the halide since its too intense for the lps. Ive been pulling off the algea but its hard to control. Any thoughts?

 

[Murfman]

On rock, I put it back in the display and let the tangs work their magic. on Frag plugs, you can dip in hydrogen peroxide to kill off the algae.

 

[arotbart]

6 Mexican turbo snails...they will clean it up in about 4-5 days and you wont have a problem.....sea hare will also help.

if the growth is over 1/4 inch, you may have to trim it back a bit. Turbo snails wont munch if its too tall....

 

[Salty Dog]

thanks guys, I will try

 

[JaMan]

how old are your frag tank bulbs? You could try running a mix of GFO & GAC in a small reactor just on the frag tank.

 

[m and m]

I would say snails. I had the same issue I feed every night to every other night and got some grown film algea. Threw a few snails in there and it cleared them out. I dont like the snails because some times they fight with the coral for food and nock stuff around so I take them out and put them in the display. When I see some algae put a few in the area for a few days then back to the display for a while.

 

[Murfman]

how old are your frag tank bulbs? You could try running a mix of GFO & GAC in a small reactor just on the frag tank.

His Frag tank is tied into the main system.

 

[Salty Dog]

Thanks again, yes I do run GFO high capacity on a brs reactor, I will do the snail thing . I dont want to leave them in there either becuase there like bull dozers

 

[Salty Dog]

I would say snails. I had the same issue I feed every night to every other night and got some grown film algea. Threw a few snails in there and it cleared them out. I dont like the snails because some times they fight with the coral for food and nock stuff around so I take them out and put them in the display. When I see some algae put a few in the area for a few days then back to the display for a while.

Thanks for everything, I dont know if I told you but a guy on Reefcentral sent me a pm on that Power mod, he had one for sale for $480 I jumped on it

 

[Joe Dirt]

On rock, I put it back in the display and let the tangs work their magic. on Frag plugs, you can dip in hydrogen peroxide to kill off the algae.

I have the same problem. How do you guys do the peroxide dip? Concentration? Duration?

 

[shred5]

IF its tied to your main system and there is no algae in your main tank it could be something leeching phosphates in the frag tank.. do you use eggcrate? it leeches phosphate as do most plastics some more than others. most of the time the lagae will grow just on the eggcrate.

Dave Polzin

 

[Murfman]

I have the same problem. How do you guys do the peroxide dip? Concentration? Duration?

I am too chicken to dip the whole coral so I just dip the base, at full strength. I have also turned my snails upside down and dipped them in the peroxide with success.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I will tell you right now the best way i have found and they clear up within days.

Urchin, hermits and Emerald Crabs.

 

[Salty Dog]

i do have egg crate but this is due to over feeding the corals, I started today with dosing hydrogen Peroxide, I will follow up with news and pictures

 

[VegasRick]

Thanks again, yes I do run GFO high capacity on a brs reactor, I will do the snail thing . I dont want to leave them in there either becuase there like bull dozers

You are not changing out your gfo often enough. Until you get it under control you may need to change it every couple of days

 

[Salty Dog]

You are not changing out your gfo often enough. Until you get it under control you may need to change it every couple of days

I change it every 6 weeks, My god GFO aint cheap , Gonna have to order 10lbs from Bulk reef

 

[VegasRick]

I change it every 6 weeks, My god GFO aint cheap , Gonna have to order 10lbs from Bulk reef

Don't I know it, using a pound a week here

 

[Salty Dog]

Don't I know it, using a pound a week here

well if your Rick From Pawn Stars in Vegas you got the money

 

[VegasRick]

well if your Rick From Pawn Stars in Vegas you got the money

lol yeah never watched the show, although when I was at a bar last week with one of my sons he pointed out one of the pawn star guys
as for the money, gfo is one of those necessary evils, can't afford not to use it

 

[Salty Dog]

GFO is on my next order with Bulk Reef