Ugly Phase. How Long Did Yours Last?

[RobertTheNurse]

Been just a year now in this Hobby. I love just about every thing. Looking back, I've learned (and still am) so much.

Been dealing with GHA for months. Don't let it get out of control, but, will there ever come a day when the blowing, scraping, brushing, vacuuming, picking (etc) will even itself off?

I am seeing a lot of Corraline growth on my glass and rocks more recently in the last few months. Nitrates are 2..phos either 0 or 0.03 using salifert. Tried Vibrant and worked but stopped when it started dipping my nitrates down (from 10).

I use RODI water, have many (maybe 15) different types of snails...just bought a conch 2 days ago. I find that those eye lash brushes really help get the long stuff...

Just need some confidence and stories of your ugly phase I guess.

Here some pics taken from today

 

[itsken37]

sea hare. 10/10 would recommend. I posted this earlier:
Today I have come to inform you all about the benefits of a sea hare. To start things off, I have had a problem with GHA (green hair algae) for the past 5 months. I looked into all sorts of hair algae eaters such as different inverts and fish. I looked into all sorts of tangs and blennies and crabs and snails and everything out there before concluding with a sea hare. I was a little weary because of the price ($30) because of all the tangs and such that cost around $100-$200. I talked to fellow reefers at some stores in Denver and they mostly recommended a sea hare or turbo snails. Upon buying the hare it went after the algae immediately and I could see the effects soon after. Now 1 1/2 weeks with this little invert in my tank I am sure to say that it is a 10/10 recommendation for anyone. There is only one con to this animal. Mine does not like to get up on one of my rocks. But as we are all reefers, we know that every animal is different and other sea hares might not be like this. I might do some before/after photos soon so that you all can see the difference it made. They are good creatures and I would recommend them to anyone with green hair algae in a heartbeat.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

sea hare. 10/10 would recommend. I posted this earlier:
Today I have come to inform you all about the benefits of a sea hare. To start things off, I have had a problem with GHA (green hair algae) for the past 5 months. I looked into all sorts of hair algae eaters such as different inverts and fish. I looked into all sorts of tangs and blennies and crabs and snails and everything out there before concluding with a sea hare. I was a little weary because of the price ($30) because of all the tangs and such that cost around $100-$200. I talked to fellow reefers at some stores in Denver and they mostly recommended a sea hare or turbo snails. Upon buying the hare it went after the algae immediately and I could see the effects soon after. Now 1 1/2 weeks with this little invert in my tank I am sure to say that it is a 10/10 recommendation for anyone. There is only one con to this animal. Mine does not like to get up on one of my rocks. But as we are all reefers, we know that every animal is different and other sea hares might not be like this. I might do some before/after photos soon so that you all can see the difference it made. They are good creatures and I would recommend them to anyone with green hair algae in a heartbeat.

Nice! I'd love to see before and after pics

 

[Lil' RegalReefster]

Hey, just finished with my ugly phase, tank is 4 months old and I got lucky (sarcasm) and ended up with dinoflagellates, I stayed a multi pro g attack and it seems I've worked my way through. What seemed to help is adding more biodiversity like pods, cuc and plants. Eventually your system will balance out and you'll be fine similar to mine. (The phase should only last 1-3 months, or something might be off) Good luck!

 

[itsken37]

ah quoted without typing. i've done it myself a few times

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Hey, just finished with my ugly phase, tank is 4 months old and I got lucky (sarcasm) and ended up with dinoflagellates, I stayed a multi pro g attack and it seems I've worked my way through. What seemed to help is adding more biodiversity like pods, cuc and plants. Eventually your system will balance out and you'll be fine similar to mine. (The phase should only last 1-3 months, or something might be off) Good luck!

Don't have a sump. Using a cannister filter. Took out all foam pads and just use it as a reactor with bio media, carbon, ceramic whatever. My nitrates used to be 25. Slowly coming down. This GHA tho...I guess it more bugs me when its on the sand bed. The snails more or less keep is controlled on most rock work. Some rocks here and there are a lil hairy. Ya. Id rather GHA than Dinos or Cyano. Glad you've seen the light.

 

[>>klong<<]

I had GHA all over the place 7 days ago. Then I brought home a foxface. It is pretty much gone. He’s a wutz. He ate all the GHA and will suck up any other food I dump in the tank. My new favorite.

 

[itsken37]

I had GHA all over the place 7 days ago. Then I brought home a foxface. It is pretty much gone. He’s a wutz. He ate all the GHA and will suck up any other food I dump in the tank. My new favorite.

you gotta have a big tank though

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Ya I know. I guess my question is...with good basic maintenence skills...will things eventually even out. I mean. The ocean floor isn't pearly white. Algae can be good. It just bugs me being on my white sand bed. Like, ****

 

[itsken37]

sea hare all the way then. they are cheap ($30) and all of my GHA on my sand is gone.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

sea hare all the way then. they are cheap ($30) and all of my GHA on my sand is gone.

I live in Canada. I've never seen a Sea Hare i dont think lol. Guess I'm sending off a few emails.

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

It will stabilize. Time, keeping parameters stable. It’s just more time. There will be flare ups but it will largely pass if you’re doing things properly and not near a window. To the guy who said 4 months.... not likely. I mean maybe he’s the needle in the haystack but 4 months is just the calm bed the storm. It’s the reef tank rope-a-dope. Just when you think it’s done you get the cyano and kinda-Dino’s.... just hang in. Don’t use chemicals unless you want to use them forever. Just let your system catch itself into a grove. I bet it’s not far off. A diverse CUC, water changes, proper lighting times, Manuel removal. You will be fine.

 

[itsken37]

this is a sea hare. it's a type of sea slug. one there is no more algae they die

 

[RobertTheNurse]

It will stabilize. Time, keeping parameters stable. It’s just more time. There will be flare ups but it will largely pass if you’re doing things properly and not near a window. To the guy who said 4 months.... not likely. I mean maybe he’s the needle in the haystack but 4 months is just the calm bed the storm. It’s the reef tank rope-a-dope. Just when you think it’s done you get the cyano and kinda-Dino’s.... just hang in. Don’t use chemicals unless you want to use them forever. Just let your system catch itself into a grove. I bet it’s not far off. A diverse CUC, water changes, proper lighting times, Manuel removal. You will be fine.

I caved and used Vibrant about 4 times lol I stopped cuz noticed my nutrients dropping from 10-2...and was like...NOPE! So praying for light my friend.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

this is a sea hare. it's a type of sea slug. one there is no more algae they die

Lol I have seen them around. K, worth a try! TY

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Lol I have seen them around. K, worth a try! TY

These dudes?

 

[itsken37]

nah those are nudibranchs

 

[RobertTheNurse]

nah those are nudibranchs

K ill keep my eye out tho

 

[>>klong<<]

Saw one on reefcleaners today. Dunno if they ship to CA.

Flying Sea Hare

The Flying Sea Hare will lose its ability to fly if it consumes to much sand in its quest for algae. The flying sea hare is a talking piece, and will impress anyone who sees its glide about the...

www.reefcleaners.org

 

[itsken37]

you want this sea hare. It says expert only but that's because if it doesn't have algae it will die.