Algea question

[Lunareclipse]

We want to get some tangs. I have been waiting patiently for enough algea to grow for tangs to snack on in between feedings, but we just aren't getting any algea growing in our tank. The corals are doing great. The fish are doing great. But we just can't get algea to grow. Can anybody tell me how to get enough algea to grow so we can get some tangs?

 

[Widdy]

I'm of no help to your question. But, is that a Murloc in your avatar?

 

[Lenny718]

There's lots of ways to get algae lol. Over feed,use tap water, keep your lights on for a long enough time etc. Bottom line is you don't need to grow it to have tangs, just use quality pellets and flakes and the occasional sheet of Nori and you will be fine.

 

[Lunareclipse]

I'm of no help to your question. But, is that a Murloc in your avatar?

Yes, it's a murloc. You play WoW?

 

[Lunareclipse]

There's lots of ways to get algae lol. Over feed,use tap water, keep your lights on for a long enough time etc. Bottom line is you don't need to grow it to have tangs, just use quality pellets and flakes and the occasional sheet of Nori and you will be fine.

So I leave my lights on longer than 8 hours and feed nori and I should be ok with tangs? What about if they want to snack?

 

[reefman]

i have the same problem. i cant seem to get much algea growth either. my water par are just too good. lol!
thats y i buy plenty of these:

 

[DrHarryLopez]

When i had my 90 my refuge portion had dense green forestof cheato, caulpra, and all that other stuff. well I never really fed my fish anything except a handfull of the green stuff on a rubberband attached the a magnet. They eat n pick on this all day and throughout the week!

 

[beerfish]

So I leave my lights on longer than 8 hours and feed nori and I should be ok with tangs? What about if they want to snack?

Don't leave your lights on longer or try to overfeed. You'll grow algae, but in all likelihood, it won't be the type your tangs eat, and will make your life difficult as you try to remove it.

Different tangs eat different things, so if you have a variety of dried algae (red, green, brown, nori) on hand you'll be able to attach it to a clip and the tangs will feed on it. I've had a couple of tangs that were afraid of the clip initially, but if you rubberband the algae to a piece of rock rubble and put it in an area that they frequent, they'll graze all day.

You will want to be careful that you don't put too much in at a time. They will often break it off the clip and pieces will float away... when algae gets loose in your tank and breaks down, you get more of it... and not the kind you want.

When you buy a tang, make sure it's in good health. Tangs are more prone to ick than many other fish and you'll want to QT it (if at all possible), or closely watch it for any signs of erratic behavior. Not trying to scare you, just want to make sure you get a healthy fish.

 

[Widdy]

Yes, it's a murloc. You play WoW?

I did. Couldn't commit the 30-40 hours a week for raiding. Started on Blackrock when WoW released, took a year break and started on Drakas; both Horde. Do you play? I miss it...

 

[Lunareclipse]

i have the same problem. i cant seem to get much algea growth either. my water par are just too good. lol!
thats y i buy plenty of these:

I'll go out and look for sea veggies. I do tend to overfeed my fish. I have 2 clowns and 3 wrasses, all under 3 inches, in my 150g. It's hard trying to put a tiny amount in.