How to keep algae from growing on frag plugs

[Oshanickreef]

Trying to figure out how to go about ridding the algae without hurting the corals on the plugs.

Any tips?

Thanks

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I used to scrub plugs individually but it was getting too much after I had a lot of plugs going no matter what theres always some algae on plugs but after I got my algae crew my plugs and growout tiles have been spotless. I put in one foxface, bristle tooth, and 20 snails for algae. The foxface takes care of the hairy, bristle tooth comes in and clears up the rest, then the snails clean up around the base where the fish usually cant reach and eat away any leftover algae.

 

[Krzydmnd]

My snails head for new plugs looking for a new snack when they go in the tank. A good cuc can help tremendously!

 

[maevepotter]

How many snails can you have in a frag tank? I'm worried they would starve. I have a 20g frag tank with two anemones which I feed every few days.

I'm worried that I still have too many nutrients in my tank though bc red slime has shown up as well as feather green algae, and the glass gets scummy quickly and sand is doing the same. This was basically my temporary qt tank for new acquisitions and I feel like it's getting out of control. I think the live rock had bad algae growing on it. I currently have 5 snails and 3 hermit crabs.

 

[TessGlo]

I do several things in addition to clean up crew:
1. New frags and those w/ logs of algae on plug are removed from plugs. If they are encrusted, I trim away the remaining exposed plug w bone cutters.
2. Scrape with dental tools bought on amazon
3. Hydrogen peroxide applied to plug using a small paint brush or dropper, carefully avoiding the coral, let sit for 5 min or more and then rinse. You can also use diluted dips of hydrogen peroxide, but I like the paint it on method more bc you don't risk bothering the coral.

 

[maroun.c]

I used to scrub plugs individually but it was getting too much after I had a lot of plugs going no matter what theres always some algae on plugs but after I got my algae crew my plugs and growout tiles have been spotless. I put in one foxface, bristle tooth, and 20 snails for algae. The foxface takes care of the hairy, bristle tooth comes in and clears up the rest, then the snails clean up around the base where the fish usually cant reach and eat away any leftover algae.

Did the foxface nip.at any frags?

 

[Centerline]

The only things I have found that does a really good job are snails and blue leg hermit crabs.

 

[trido]

I use acrylic frag racks. I find that snails hate egg crate, and its harder to clean once it does get dirty. A small yellow tang will eat that lettuce algea right up.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Did the foxface nip.at any frags?

I have never had any issue with foxface nipping frags or polyps, never heard of this before

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Also if your tank is big enough, try a pair of convict tangs they are AMAZING algae eaters. The only reason I can think of why they arent popular is because its hard to score a healthy specimen and they require lots of surface area to graze hence the big tank. I have a pair of them as well and they work so hard its amazing how good they are with algae, always swimming together.