Green Hair Algae Clean up Crew Experiment (Comparison of Snails) : ALGAE HUNGER GAMES

[Wally.B]

So my tank took a turn for the worse and is Super Infested with Green Hair Algae.

I've bought various CUC over the last while (based on reading) and still am not sure what works the best for Green Hair Alage.

Doing other things too like a Algae Scrubber, and more BioMedia, but CUC Comparison is my main objective.


So I've setup a tank to run an experiment to see what cleans my Algae covered rocks the best.

I'm running a WEB cam and taking Time Lapse Photographs to watch progress.

You can find the experiment running on my TANK Thread Post Here. The Algae Hunger Games

I'll be bringing in more Algae pieces from My Tank as below.

 

[Pet Detective]

Let the Games begin!

 

[heathlindner25]

The sea hare will dominant.

 

[Sk8r]

Your actual problem will only recycle as the CUC poos phosphate back into the tank and algae uptakes it again. You need a phosphate remover, such as a GFO reactor.

 

[CStrickland]

Skater beat me too it.
Maybe you can use dirty water from your DT water changes?
Once the algae tank gets cycled it should handle the organics and nitrogen in the water and your phos ought to be low in there.

I think fighting conchs are more about stirring sand and eating leftover meaty stuff / poop than algae. They might not have what they need in this setup.

You should take bets lol like a horse race!
I'll put 10 Internet $'s on the hare

 

[Wally.B]

Your actual problem will only recycle as the CUC poos phosphate back into the tank and algae uptakes it again. You need a phosphate remover, such as a GFO reactor.

My phosphate was undectable for a year, while no Alage.

Then it hit a record 0.02

I have been running GFO reactor but remove as needed.

 

[Wally.B]

ALGAE HUNGER GAMES: First YOUtube Video Update (GAME 1: The Appetizer)

Here is roughly last 12 hours (15 minute spacing). Overnight, till morning lights on.
The Players have settled in. I noticed the Arabica Cowrie on the move.

Might be adding a small sandbox for the Conch.

More rocks on the way for tonight's game. The challenge level will increase, so will the food supply.

https://youtu.be/NpgO0YFf8zU

 

[Wally.B]

The ALGAE Hunger Games Continue (The Beast Enters the Game)

Appetizer Intro round is over. Contestants Acclimatized.

This next round may take a while. If not Great!! Have plenty more villains.

 

[CStrickland]

"sand bed arena"
:lolspin:

 

[Martini5788]

This is great!

 

[Pet Detective]

Go Conchness EverGREEN!


In my experience, Mexican snails are mostly cold water species & never lasted in my tank more than a few months, try some Florida snails in this experiment if possible.

 

[Wally.B]

ALGAE Hunger Games (Future Challengers)

The sponsors want excitement. I'm not for it. I just want my Algae free tank back.

However things may get boring watching Algae and Snails.

So we'll have some controlled & Safe exhibition events.

Photo below speaks pretty clear.

 

[e048]

Fighting Conches are mostly algae eaters they do a number on the film algae on my glass great little guys, honestly the way I've been dealing with gha is to cut my lights to 3 hours a day scrub all the rock with a soft toothbrush and get the algae free flowing I threw in a few extra powerheads and put a 10icron sock on my sump after 30mins of scrubbing I take the sock out and replace it, rinse and repeat my tank looks 100x better

 

[Wally.B]

Fighting Conches are mostly algae eaters they do a number on the film algae on my glass great little guys, honestly the way I've been dealing with gha is to cut my lights to 3 hours a day scrub all the rock with a soft toothbrush and get the algae free flowing I threw in a few extra powerheads and put a 10icron sock on my sump after 30mins of scrubbing I take the sock out and replace it, rinse and repeat my tank looks 100x better

I agree with your approach (rock scrubbing which I have done in the past), however this is an SPS only tank, so releasing GHA debris tangles into the SPS corals and that's not good.

I rather siphon the GHA (thru a nylon sock in my sump), but GHA is very attached to the rocks and only loose pieces get pulled.

So I'm working on a better Algae scrub/siphon gadget to clean in one pass. Here is a YouTube video of the Gen 2 prototype. WHIRL-A-VAC Cleaning Tool

Got inspired to build this due to my GHA problem. Working on Gen 3 version of the tool in my workshop (Which is Part II of my GHA eradication experiment. Part III is adding a ATS, Part IV is BioMedia in Sump)

Yes, I hate Green Hair Algae, and an determined to wipe it out.

 

[Wally.B]

ALGAE HUNGER GAMES (Update).

So here is a quick update.

Someone, or something has been busy. The Beast is losing the battle.

I'll review WebCam Shot's later and post.

Right now, I don't know what caused this change. But to me this is EXCITING!!

Can't be the Sea Hare, he is just hanging around in a corner. Hope he is ok.

 

[Coelli]

My money's on the emerald!

 

[CStrickland]

My money's on the emerald!

I think you mean "Peeta Emereldark"
*giggles*

 

[Coelli]

I think you mean "Peeta Emereldark"
*giggles*

Lol! Yeah, where are all of the names?!

 

[Wally.B]

Sure, willing to name the team members. Somebody else keep track. I got enough on my hands.

 

[Wally.B]

ALGAE GAME CHAMBER WATER CHECK

Nice to have a early reference post, since Algae Consumed and processed by CUC will certainly increase Phosphates in this closed system.

(Limited Exports other than Skimmer, and planned water changes as needed).