Flow is excellent with two MP 40's. Filter socks changed daily as they clog up with what appears to be uneaten food, Octo skimmer, UV and a well established pod population. Feed 30 mls phyto daily for pods. I don't have coral as my plan has been to wait until tank is mature and initial algae issues are resolved before adding any, (20 years ago I was driven out of reefing by algae overgrowing my corals). I would "like" to start a fuge to compete with the nuisance algae but have been told I need nitrates and at least .03 phosphates in my water before macroalgae will survive. Is it possible a fuge could provide the competition for algae you suggested I need? CUC consists of snails, mostly Cerith and Nassarius which were rarely on rockwork. I just added two LARGE Tiger Turbo's,(seem helpful), which had been in my old tank for 3+ years and a dozen Trochus,(<1/2") which seem lost in my 100 lbs of rock. I feel I may need some more substantial snails but am concerned about dead Mexican turbos fouling my water.
Pics?
At this point is feeding phyto counterproductive? I've really been focused on establishing pods. Based on what I've read Trochus snails seem to be the best but I'm having trouble finding them and those I do find are small.
Some rock could be pulled but most is cemented together in large sections. It would be difficult to "pull out" the algae bc it's really just a thin covering. I've scaled back lighting from 50 to 20% and white and red are off.
What are the chances of establishing competing macro in an attached fuge at this point?Betcha those big snails you got do work. I got through the uglies with the help of 2 larger snails a buddy gave me. They literally chewed through hair algae. This rock was absolutely covered in long flowy gha. Took the big snails 2 nights to clean it. Ceriths moved in after and cleaned the rest. It's clean to this day but that's because I started adding corals to outcompete the algae...otherwise it'd come right back right? Gotta tip the scales somehow...
Yes. Why not if you have the space for it. The macro (like chaeto) may stay idle until the algae is removed because right now it's winning the nutrient race. Even if you setup a refugium and were just able to grow the algae in there you'd have less (once removed) in the DT.
I do have a fuge section in my sump but I've been told I can't get it going until I test measurable nutrients in the water column. My desire has been to get one going as early as possible as competition for algae growing in the display.
