Non-Skimmer users help

Scooter90254 · Jun 8, 2018

I set up a new tank just over 3 months ago.

40B
30 sump/fuge

SBreeflights 32” timer
Mp40
Tunze ATO with Kalk

2 clownfish with light feeding

I really wanted to try a skimmer less system. Mostly just to try something different.

Mixed reef but only SPS will be encrusting montis and maybe digi.

Long story short everything is looking great but I have an epic out break of hair algae going on. I’ve had hair algae before in new tanks and it’s really not a big deal. This time it seems to have strong grip on the tank.

It’s making me consider throwing my skimmer in the sump. Vortex 150.

Nitrate and phosphate read very low but that’s likely because of the algae.

Hair algae is a weird thing. My corals and fish are doing great but the algae is just visually unappealing. If you took the algae out the tank I would say it’s very healthy. Haha

I’ll probably just let it ride until July 1st and see what happens. Maybe it will level itself out or my Chateo will take over. If not the skimmers going in. No guarantee that will fix it either though.

Thoughts or opinions?

SOCOM · Jun 8, 2018

Sea hair or a lettuce will clean that right up!

Personally I would add the skimmer. I have a thing for them

Scooter90254 · Jun 8, 2018

I might have to go with a sea hare. I think i’m past the point where even manual removal would be very effective. And you’re right the skimmers going in July 1st if it’s not clearing up.

mtraylor · Jun 8, 2018

No where did I see that you have a clean up crew. I would invest in a proper clean up crew with some Mexican turbo's. Also what is your phosphates?

tiggs · Jun 8, 2018

Also, what's your water change schedule/size like? Personally, I've always done 20% of total water volume weekly and tried to keep a light bioload on anything without a skimmer.

Luno · Jun 8, 2018

What light is on your fuge? If your relying on your fuge as the main nutrient export you need to have a very high level of light.

Scooter90254 · Jun 9, 2018

Very small clean up crew just a few nails and hermits. No bulldozers. In my experience clean up crews don’t do much for mature HA.

10% a week. WC. I’ll up that 20 for a few weeks.

PAR 38 grow light on the fuge.

Luno · Jun 9, 2018

Scooter90254 said:
Very small clean up crew just a few nails and hermits. No bulldozers. In my experience clean up crews don’t do much for mature HA.

10% a week. WC. I’ll up that 20 for a few weeks.

PAR 38 grow light on the fuge.

Is your 30g sump all fuge? If so not enough light In fuge

Well it's not the only problem but it's a start

Scooter90254 · Jun 9, 2018

Luno said:
Is your 30g sump all fuge? If so not enough light In fuge

Well it's not the only problem but it's a start

Hmm. Well I’m not getting a great Chaeto growth. I assume it’s becuade the HA is out competing the Chaeto. Maybe I’ll look at upgrading lights.

tiggs · Jun 9, 2018

I like the sea hare idea as well, if the HA is at the point where it's taking over and out-competing the cheto. There was a guy around where I used to live that had 3-4 sea hares that he'd rent out to people for 30 days at a clip. Over that 30 day period, they'd pick your tank clean and you'd be back to a good starting point. The problem with keeping them longer is they typically starve once the HA is gone, so I've only used them in dire situations and only for brief periods. Now it's not exactly common to find some guy on Craiglist that provides this service, so maybe buy one, then trade it in at the LFS once the big cleanup is complete.