Am I feeding too much?

[zachfishman]

I am having a problem with nutrient export, GHA is slowly taking over my 29 (non-biocube) even though I religiously do weekly 20% changes, run carbon and GFO, and have no measurable nitrates or phosphates. I only feed a small portion of frozen product to my clown goby and lawnmower blenny (enough to be consumed in less than a minute). Besides getting a skimmer (really, really trying to go skimmerless on this small setup) what should I do?

A point of aggravation - the dozen snails I have love cleaning the back glass and one rock in the middle of my scape, but leave the majority of LR untouched. :thumbdown

 

[con999]

i think that your feeding a good amount of food. but thouse fish can go with out food for a few days with a small tank i would feed 2-3 times a week. alao you not having nitrates or phosphates because the GHA is taking it all befor you can test it
i hope this helps

 

[con999]

also what kind of water are you starting with tap or rodi

 

[Reefman29]

I would also recommend some turbo snails. I also second all of con999's advice.

 

[zachfishman]

Using RODI (new unit and filters); thinking of knocking feedings back to every other day (making it 3-4 times /week).

I would also recommend some turbo snails. I also second all of con999's advice.

Which kind of turbo snails are we talking about? I have ~8 Astrea snails which did a great job on the GHA during the initial cycle. They are called turbo snails at my LFS. If you mean the beefier turbo snails (Mexican?) I might want to epoxy everything down before getting those bulldozers.

Lost without my tangs... must. resist. urge.

 

[zma21]

An emerald crab solved my algae woes.

He keeps it trimmed back to nonexistent status.

 

[zachfishman]

An emerald crab solved my algae woes.

He keeps it trimmed back to nonexistent status.

I could give that a shot too. I remember being disappointed when trying a few emeralds to combat my bubble algae in an old system, but never really paid attention to their GHA eating.

 

[noahm]

I have heard very good things about the trochus snails if you are worried about the mexican turbos. I don't think the trochus are as bad ar knocking things over, but love to eat. I use the big maxican turbos though without problems. I think if you have a bunch of frags in tight quarters, they will pry themselves through and that is the main problem. Regular astrea turbos are pretty useless imo.

 

[NYCBOB]

mexican turbo snails r the only kind that eat hair algae, but u will need to trim the hair algae short first, so the snails can eat it. i suggest 1 mexican turbo per 15-20 gallon.

 

[TripleT]

Besides getting a skimmer (really, really trying to go skimmerless on this small setup)

Bite the bullet.

 

[con999]

i also agree with everyone about turbo snails it have 3 mexican ones and i have had nothing ever pop up im my tank

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw about snails (and other herbivores)

fwiw about snails (and other herbivores)

they're great at eating algae but their poop can fuel nuisance algae growth.

Must export. Growing and harvesting macroalgae might be a good alternative if you want to avoid skimming.

 

[zachfishman]

Must export. Growing and harvesting macroalgae might be a good alternative if you want to avoid skimming.

Probably, if I ever find a used Aquaclear locally to do a hang-on refugium.