Macro-algae eaters??

Mark75 · #1 01/10/2008, 12:55 PM

As my tank gets older I am having a problem with macro-algae. I am running GFO and using RO/DI water with a reading of 3 TDS. At first the small patches of algae were no problem but without and predadation they are quickly becoming an eye sore. I try to manually remove what I can but some of it is impossible to reach. I need biological help! Can you recommend any macro-algae eaters for a 30 gallon tank? I prefer fish as I have several types of snails and hermits and they do nothing as far as controlling the macro.

acrodave · #2 01/10/2008, 01:19 PM

you can try a lawnmower blenny

Mark75 · #3 01/10/2008, 03:05 PM

That is the only one I could come up with Dave. I have heard they only eat hair algae and are not that effective at that. I am looking for something that will mow down two pretty good stands of macro, I think it would be to much for a lawn mower blenny. Thanks for the suggestion though. What I am thinking of is a temporary solution, maybe a small fish that will out grow my 30 gallon but will get the algae under control until it needs to be relocated? Maybe my 95 gallon cube will be ready by then.

acrodave · #4 01/10/2008, 03:51 PM

how bout a blue tuxedo urchin i have 2 small ones in my tank. But you must have all your corals glued down.

imsqueak · #5 01/10/2008, 06:03 PM

Checks if Mel's looking...

A small tang!

Mark75 · #6 01/10/2008, 08:46 PM

Don, tell me you didn't just recommend a tang for my 30 gallon!!! LOL That is what I was hinting at. I can't think of any good algae eaters suitable for my size tank.

Dave, I don't have my corals glued down as I am planning a tank swap in the near future. I have trouble with small astrea snails moving stuff around I would guess the urchin would be a nightmare.

acrodave · #7 01/10/2008, 09:14 PM

A scopas tang would work in a 30 for a while. they are not very colorful tho

imsqueak · #8 01/10/2008, 10:15 PM

Since you have a 90 in the future, you dont have to sell a nice tang to fellow

fishdoc11 · #9 01/11/2008, 06:31 AM

Emerald crabs do very well at eating macro IME.

Mark75 · #10 01/11/2008, 07:24 AM

I will post some pictures of the algae later. I want to be sure what ever I get will it the types I have.

ct_vol · #11 01/11/2008, 09:02 AM

Emeralds have reports of turning on corals once algae is under control... But then again, some tangs go that route as well... lol Scopas get huge!!! Well, at least 12"... I'm not the biggest tang policeman, but a Scopas in 30g???

I have a Chevron in my 58g right now, but he's still tiny and I plan to move him to my 120 in the near future...

Mark75 · #12 01/11/2008, 09:21 AM

Is it decided that there are no macro eating fish suitable for a 30 gallon?

ct_vol · #13 01/11/2008, 09:35 AM

Rainford Gobies are said to pick at hair algae... I've seen mine do it from time to time, but never really made a serious dent... lol Lawnmower blenny would do a better job...

fishdoc11 · #14 01/11/2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ct_vol
Emeralds have reports of turning on corals once algae is under control... But then again, some tangs go that route as well... lol Scopas get huge!!! Well, at least 12"... I'm not the biggest tang policeman, but a Scopas in 30g??? I have a Chevron in my 58g right now, but he's still tiny and I plan to move him to my 120 in the near future...

I've kept emeralds in my tanks for years and IME some (10% - 20%) will be bad from the begining but most won't harm corals.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...s+bubble+algae
hth, Chris

EvilMel · #15 01/11/2008, 01:13 PM

I will absolutely bash all of you in the head if you think putting a tang in a 30g tank is a good idea based on the fact that you'll have a bigger tank "in the near future".

*takes a breath*

I'm not even saying anything else about it...

*looks at Don* grrrrr.

SRT80 · #16 01/11/2008, 02:44 PM

what exactly is macro algae? I have a ton of razor caulerpa (sp?) in my tank and my emerald crab hasn't touched it. Has taken care of the bubble algae though. Maybe there is just so much razor in there that it can't control it cause I did see it kind of pickin' at it once. I might get a couple more crabs and see.

Steve

Runner · #17 01/11/2008, 09:16 PM

What about something that will eat razor caulerpa in a 75G? I might decide to keep the tank if I can get something to keep that under control. Hydriods have become a blessing compared to the macro algae plague.

fishdoc11 · #18 01/11/2008, 11:29 PM

Macro algae is simply put, large algae like chaeto, valonia, caulerpa. Hair algae or the dusting you get on th glass are good examples of micro algae. The emerald in my 29 eats razor caulerpa.