How do I stop tunicates from spreading?

[Just John]

I know they are harmless and nothing to worry about.....except they are beginning to cover everything in a tunicate mat. I don't think corals will grow on top of these things and they are on their way to taking over one of my rocks. I took out a rock and scraped them off, but something must have been left because they came right back. What can I do?

 

[Hincapiej4]

Check silicates

 

[Ghost25]

Check silicates

The "tunic" of tunicates is made out of cellulose, not silicates as is the case with sponges.

 

[Hincapiej4]

Oh sorry, I must have been thinking sponges. My bad.

 

[Dkmoo]

They are filter feeders, suggesting you have a lot of DOC in the water (not no3/po4)

Turn up skimming or add filter socks. These will help remove nutrients in the 2 stages (uneaten food particles and DOC) before bacteria break it down to no3/po4

Do you broadcast feed coral particle food like phyto or roid? Thats also increases the stuff that filter feeders eat

 

[Just John]

They are filter feeders, suggesting you have a lot of DOC in the water (not no3/po4)

Turn up skimming or add filter socks. These will help remove nutrients in the 2 stages (uneaten food particles and DOC) before bacteria break it down to no3/po4

Do you broadcast feed coral particle food like phyto or roid? Thats also increases the stuff that filter feeders eat

I spot feed. I know that's an issue, but I was hoping for a solution that would allow me to keep feeding. Maybe there isn't.