Natural vs Chemical Algae Reduction

[beerfish]

With a full time job, side work and a startup business in my spare time, I'm finding it tough to keep up with the tank.

I've always been a staunch supporter of water changes, flow adjustment, and a good skimmer to keep algae in check, but am wondering what methods some of you are using to control algae growth. I do run carbon and phosban, but what else is everyone doing?

By chemical, I mean additives like nitrate absorbing media, special blend, etc.

 

[motortrendz]

my biggest contributor to algea control is my 6 mexican turbo snails, and my sea hare..

 

[beerfish]

my biggest contributor to algea control is my 6 mexican turbo snails, and my sea hare..

I need to diversify my cleanup crew a bit more. I currently have nerites, dwarf ceriths, and nassarius snails, along with some hermits. I should probably add some Astrea and Turbos as well.

 

[motortrendz]

i have , mexican turbos, turbos, pyrimid, and other large snails.. i cant remember the names. on top of the other sand sifting snails, hermits and others

 

[rickb]

I have a good mix of cleanup crew but the mexican turbos do 90% of the work I think

 

[18oreefer]

I grow algae...lots of it. I grow it on a turf scrubber. When there is a lot on there i scrape it off and say good bye. The scrubber provides an ideal environment for it to thrive. I still skim, use rowa and a denitrator. I dont have a bit of it growing in my DT and I only clean the glass once a week.

 

[gimincorp]

Turf scrubber? - Please explain!

I grow algae...lots of it. I grow it on a turf scrubber. When there is a lot on there i scrape it off and say good bye. The scrubber provides an ideal environment for it to thrive. I still skim, use rowa and a denitrator. I dont have a bit of it growing in my DT and I only clean the glass once a week.

This is what I have created, but it's not really working and my skimmer keeps boiling over, so I'm not sure how to get the growth rolling.

 

[beerfish]

I've considered a turf scrubber, but don't really have much space left in my setup.

 

[18oreefer]

Gimin, this should get you going. http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/69002-sweet-link-diy-turf-scrubber.html

Beerfish, you can buld 1 of these things in a bucket next to your sump. The link i posted will have the details.

 

[beerfish]

I have no room next to the sump. I have an ATO bucket there, a huge MH ballast, and I'm actually building a piece of furniture to go next to the tank for my chiller. As it is I can't even change out phosban without a struggle.

 

[18oreefer]

Alrighty, sounds to me like you need a bigger tank, or at least stand. Hmmm.

 

[beerfish]

Alrighty, sounds to me like you need a bigger tank, or at least stand. Hmmm.

I agree! I'd like to upgrade, but am probably going to move in the not-so-distant future, so I'm holding off until I do.