Update on battle with turf algae, pics included

[slojmn1]

Hi all, It has been about 7 weeks since I added the Marc Weiss Phosphate and Silicate magnate (10/15/01) stuff along with decreasing photo period, decreased feedings, and decreased Selcon and Zoe useage. I had some really good results up front. The first 4 weeks I saw a real decrese in the turf algae. Startign in late Novemeber I noticed an increase again. I decided to get rid of the first batch of the phosphate magnet and put in a frresh batch. I did this on 12/2/01. The pictures certainly show a decline in the nasty stuff, but it is still everywhere for the most part, just not as thick and easier to get rid of. This is a plus. Here are a few pictures.

As of 6/01

As of 10/25/01- 10 days after adding the Phosphate magnet

As of 12/5/01-7 weeks after adding original phosphate magnet and 3 days after second batch of phosphate magnet

As you can see there has definately been some improvement. The third picture was taken after lights out wiht a flash so it is a bit of a different perspective. With the lights on this stuff looks a bit worse than this picture shows. For some reason with lights out and the use of the camera flash the colors of the live rock really show up, with the MH and VHO lights on the colors are washed out and the fuzz of the turf algae is more prominent.

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: slojmn1 ]

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: slojmn1 ]</p>

 

[Mouse]

That clam doesn't look too impressed. Id watch it closely. It really has made a die back though, nice one. I have had allot of success with RoaPhos, maybe you might like to try it next?

 

[slojmn1]

Mouse, That crocea clam is fine. That last picture was taken about three hours after lights were out. All of my clams look like that in the dark. As soon as the lights come on they all wake up and "unfold" so as to speak. He looks just like the 2 pictures above the third one by day. Unfortunately I have three crocea clams that were mail ordered from Jeff's Exotics and despite asking for high grade expensive clams they sent the cheap $19 ones in some sort of mix up and I decided it was in the clams best interest to keep them. Not very colorful though, not colorful at all.

 

[TxReefer]

I too have this algae. Although my phos was low from using RO water I decieded to us Kent Phos remover in desperation. Kent recommends using the phos remover for 8hrs or up to 2days and no longer because it will saturate and release phos back into the tank. To reuse the phos remover one has to bake the pellets in a 450 degree oven or simply replace with new. Perhaps you are running too long and realeaseing back...??? I also purchase 4 Emerald Crabs and they are eating this algae like crazy day and night. It looks like they are gaining on it but I may buy a few more. I have a 120 gal tank, that is about 50% covered.

 

[slojmn1]

TxReefer, interesting regarding the emerald crabs. I have thought about trying them but have shied away as they can end up doing more damage than good in the long run. Hard to tell if you are going to get a mellow one or a maniac one that will munch on everything.

The cool thing about the Marc Weiss Phosphate and Silicate magnate is that it lasts a long time and does not release the phosphates back into the system, according to the product lable. It also claims to not irritate other corals such as leathers as it does not leach aluminum into the system. My Colt coral has had no problem with the addition of the Phosphate magnate over this period of time. Sorry to hear you have this stuff too. It is a bear to get a handle on. I am making progress but it is a slow process. I figure that despite running my water through the RO/DI kit it still has phosphates in it. I may try an experiment of using store bought bottled water for a month and see if there is any difference. My Salifert Phosphate test kit is to difficult to read, so it is no help.

 

[XXX]

slojmn,

I can never remember your real name to save my life.

We have talked a couple of times via email about turf algae. I had the start of an outbreak but was able to bring it to a screaching halt with only 5% coverage. What was already there continues to grow but not spread. I had some bubble algae show up about the same time so I bought two emeralds. All they cared about was the turf. I now have five of them. The don't give a hoot about the bubble but they are ALWAYS working on the turf. It is not a noticable difference day to day but it has to be helping in the long run. I have never seen them causing a problem with a coral.


Steve

 

[Mouse]

Sorry mate, my mistake. Thought you had taken the pics with the lights on.

 

[slojmn1]

Steve, aka XXX, Two votes for emerald crabs. OMG, tempting, very tempting. Well, I think I will sit tight for now, continue my current regiment and if in a few motnhs I am still at a standstill I may try a few emeralds. BTW, no worries on forgetting my name

I only really use it in emails.

Mouse, no problem.

Have a good one, Alicia

 

[loosbrew]

i never had problems with emerald crabs. every now and again one would eat a piece of xenia or grab an acro polyp, but hey there were plenty acro polyps, whats just one? they never did enough damage to warrant a removal or regret in purchasing them. they do get nasty towards each other though, and really, stay away from the red ones!!

loosbrew