should i start dosing vinegar?

nstd · Jan 7, 2016

so i tested all parameters:

NITRATE - 0 (salifert)
Phos - 0 (salifert)
Alk - 8 (nyos)
Calcium - 450 (Red Sea)
MAg - 1300 (Red Sea)

I run GFO, skimmer, and filter sock.

I still get patches of LONG hair algae swaying in the flow of my tank.

Should i dose vinegar? My theory is I do have nitrate or phos but the algae is consuming it all which leaves me with 0.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 7, 2016

What size tank?

I probably would do something more focussed, like GFO. Organic carbon dosing can have many different effects, and starting with undetectable nutrients might not be the best use.

nstd · Jan 7, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
What size tank?

I probably would do something more focussed, like GFO. Organic carbon dosing can have many different effects, and starting with undetectable nutrients might not be the best use.

Randy what do you suggest? I already run a GFO reactor.

Cment · Jan 7, 2016

How long has the tank been up and running?

nstd · Jan 7, 2016

It's a 70g. It's been running for 3 years but just recovered from a crash

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 7, 2016

A fish tat eats algae might be better than a chemical treatment. In a 70 a yellow tang might be good.

nstd · Jan 7, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
A fish tat eats algae might be better than a chemical treatment. In a 70 a yellow tang might be good.

Got one

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 8, 2016

Does it not try to eat the algae?

Are you feeding it nori? (don't in this case).

When was the last time you replaced the GFO?

How are you measuring nitrate and phosphate?

nstd · Jan 8, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Does it not try to eat the algae?

Are you feeding it nori? (don't in this case).

When was the last time you replaced the GFO?

How are you measuring nitrate and phosphate?

Ill halt feeding it nori.

The last time I changed the Gfo was this Monday.

I measured the nitrate and phosphate with Salifert, but I just picked up Phos Hanna checker so I hope to get a better reading.

Triggreef · Jan 8, 2016

I like hanna fwiw

I also always suggest emerald crabs for algae control they work but you need numbers 3 or 4 wont do much. I maintain 20 to 30 in my 200g and they keep it clean. I also keep about 10-15 in my 40g frag tank where they keep in clean as well. I have a higher nutrient system than most run and without the emerald crabs it would be a mess. They eat all kinds not just hair and bubble.

nstd · Jan 8, 2016

Triggreef said:
I like hanna fwiw

I also always suggest emerald crabs for algae control they work but you need numbers 3 or 4 wont do much. I maintain 20 to 30 in my 200g and they keep it clean. I also keep about 10-15 in my 40g frag tank where they keep in clean as well. I have a higher nutrient system than most run and without the emerald crabs it would be a mess. They eat all kinds not just hair and bubble.

Do they fight each other? I had two and one mysteriously died.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 8, 2016

Maybe if you stop feeding the yellow tang the nori, it will focus on the green hair algae. That's the rationale, anyway.

Triggreef · Jan 8, 2016

nstd said:
Do they fight each other? I had two and one mysteriously died.

They generally keep to themselves aside from waiving their claws around when a fish swims by. I have doubts about them even using their claws for defense as I handle them fairly often just from having so many and I've never been pinched by them.

edit: also I think the life expectancy is only a couple years. You can buy them cheap if you look around. Liveaquaria is good only through their build your own pack.

McMullen · Jan 8, 2016

I'm a big believer in buying tank inhabitants that work for me. I feel this is a better strategy in the long run then adding and dosing chemicals. IMO for most reefers adding chemicals should be a "fine tuning" strategy rather than a fix my problem strategy.

I too would skip on the nori a few days to entice natural grazing.

I've love emerald crabs but never been able to keep many together. Perhaps in the numbers @Triggreef is suggesting they cannot fight to the death because they're distracted…..kinda like chromis. Buy three they pick each other to death. Buy 15 and all is well!!!

nstd · Jan 8, 2016

McMullen said:
I'm a big believer in buying tank inhabitants that work for me. I feel this is a better strategy in the long run then adding and dosing chemicals. IMO for most reefers adding chemicals should be a "fine tuning" strategy rather than a fix my problem strategy.

I too would skip on the nori a few days to entice natural grazing.

I've love emerald crabs but never been able to keep many together. Perhaps in the numbers @Triggreef is suggesting they cannot fight to the death because they're distracted…..kinda like chromis. Buy three they pick each other to death. Buy 15 and all is well!!!

I agree but I'm just weary in buying too much because if they die it'll cause a spike in my parameters.