Frag Tank Question

denverjon · Dec 30, 2020

I set up a 20g long frag tank a couple weeks ago mainly to grow zoas. I plumbed it directly to my main display and put a combo of t5's and led's over it. I'm starting to get some hair algae growing on my frag plugs. It's a little perplexing since I haven't had that issue in my display tank. Could the reason be that I'm blasting them with lights? My nitrates are between 5-10 and phosphates are around .03.

DC Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

do you have a cleanup crew in the frag tank?

denverjon · Dec 30, 2020

I don't. I can add some I just don't understand why I'm getting an algae outbreak. Technically it is a new tank but the water is coming from the main display. That's why I'm wondering is maybe my lights are the cause.

DC Reefer · Dec 30, 2020

I got the same thing in my frag tank and my par was really low (in the 60-70 range). The CUC took care of it for me. I don't have any algae at all in my display (have to clean glass every week or so) but I have 6 tangs and a mature CUC which keeps it under control.

denverjon · Jan 4, 2021

I got some turbo snails over the weekend and they took care of the hair algae within 24 hours. I had a local reefer suggest part of the problem might be my frag plugs leeching phosphates, thus the reason for the algae outbreak. That makes sense because I haven't had a hair algae issue in my main display for years.

Pntbll687 · Jan 4, 2021

denverjon said:
I got some turbo snails over the weekend and they took care of the hair algae within 24 hours. I had a local reefer suggest part of the problem might be my frag plugs leeching phosphates, thus the reason for the algae outbreak. That makes sense because I haven't had a hair algae issue in my main display for years.

I used to get algae on plugs all the time. I got a cheap tupperware container, drilled some holes in it, stuffed it with plugs, and set it in my sump. No more algae on plugs

ca1ore · Jan 4, 2021

Maybe the plugs are leaking phosphates, but I think the answer is less convoluted than that. Keeping algae in check is a combination of nutrients, light levels and herbivores. Blasting a frag tank with light will encourage algae growth even if it is the same water. Most frag tanks don't have adequate herbivores.

I have a connected frag tank. I used a PAR meter to match light levels as close as possible to the display, but I still got algae. None apparent in the display. I added a couple of small tangs to the frag tank and presto, no more algae.