High Nutrient Macro Algae/Sea Grass Reef

We were away since early Sunday morning visiting our kids out of state, and just got back an hour or so ago. I had an auto fish feeder set for 2Xs a day. Everything looks very good with the tank and system except Plank did not make it. That is a bummer but I had a feeling that he wasn't going to. Monarch the royal gramma seems much better however so I am happy about that. Coral, macros and seagrass all seem to be doing well.
 
I'm curious, what are you using in the autofeeder? I just got one and am using NLS pellets, which float until they become waterlogged. I'm using a ring of PVC to keep the pellets in place until they sink.
 
ThePurple12 said:
I'm curious, what are you using in the autofeeder? I just got one and am using NLS pellets, which float until they become waterlogged. I'm using a ring of PVC to keep the pellets in place until they sink.
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I used marine flake a d spectra pellets. Using a ring is a great idea, I think I will do that next time I go away. Although I am happy for some of the food to drain down into the fuge to feed it as well.
 
Now that we are settling into 2021 and past the christmas festivities I am able to focus on my tanks a bit more. They are doing well but there are always things that can use attention.

The display has a few patches of bubble algae. Not a major outbreak but it probably needs nipped in the bud to prevent a whole scale pandemic! (Sorry, that was probably a really bad joke!). No doubt both my powerhead and return pump would benefit from a vinegar bath.

I would like to add more garden soil to my refugium this year too. I am not sure how to do that with the fuge already set up, but I am pondering it.
 
I'm in the same boat. Things are ok, but could be better. I've also got some bubble algae and cyanobacteria. I believe the cyano is trending down, so I feel like I'm on track with it. The bubble algae seems to remain under control, as long as I pluck them out occasionally.

Adding soil to your fuge sounds good - and tricky!
 
I think that would work, but it'll be a mess. It beats breaking down the tank, unless you have maybe another good reason to break it down. It would be good to isolate your fuge from the rest of the system, if possible, so all that cloudiness doesn't go into the other tanks. If you can do that, it's just a matter of waiting for it to clear, and you're back in business.
 
Michael Hoaster said:
I think that would work, but it'll be a mess. It beats breaking down the tank, unless you have maybe another good reason to break it down. It would be good to isolate your fuge from the rest of the system, if possible, so all that cloudiness doesn't go into the other tanks. If you can do that, it's just a matter of waiting for it to clear, and you're back in business.
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You are right that it'll be a big mess and I don't look forward to that. Isolating it from the sump and display is easy...just moving the drain (which is flexible tubing) into the adjacent sump and presto, its isolated! The fuge even has an Aquaclear filter that can be plugged in and filled with floss to help clear the cloudiness. I am not ready to tackle this project any time soon, however. The ground in my garden needs to thaw for one thing.

I can vinegar bath my pumps which is an easy job and a great one to tackle in the winter.

Today I removed a lot of bubble algae growing in my gracilaria, which meant removing a lot of it as well. Fortunately it grows relatively fast so it's ok.

Tomorrow I should do a water change.
 
Isolating a tank can't be much simpler than that! I also like the idea of vacuuming out the top layer of sand. This sounds the least disturbing to the grasses. With the filter floss filtration, it should clear up quickly, so I suspect your project will be less of a mess than mine was. With it not being too urgent to do, you'll have ample time to think of other things to make it go smoother, as you plan it out. I actually wrote down a list of steps to help me remember everything and to do the steps in the right order.

I have to admit I don't mind bubble algae all that much. It's kind of pretty. But I don't want a whole tank of it. So I remove some from time to time. I've noticed the big ones are much easier to remove than the small ones. I tried an emerald crab and it ate more desirable macros instead of the bubbles. Not cool.
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Isolating a tank can't be much simpler than that! I also like the idea of vacuuming out the top layer of sand. This sounds the least disturbing to the grasses. With the filter floss filtration, it should clear up quickly, so I suspect your project will be less of a mess than mine was. With it not being too urgent to do, you'll have ample time to think of other things to make it go smoother, as you plan it out. I actually wrote down a list of steps to help me remember everything and to do the steps in the right order.

I have to admit I don't mind bubble algae all that much. It's kind of pretty. But I don't want a whole tank of it. So I remove some from time to time. I've noticed the big ones are much easier to remove than the small ones. I tried an emerald crab and it ate more desirable macros instead of the bubbles. Not cool.
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Writing everything down in order is a good idea. I think I will do that too. I will think on this some more too.

I don't mind bubble algae too much either but like you I remove some from time to time to keep it in control. I never had luck with emerald crabs either.
 
Ha ha, the vinegar bath did not happen as helping an elderly aunt with her elderly dog that broke its leg took precedent. O well, there is lots of time for the vinegar bath to happen.

My husband knew I wanted a mandarin and wanted to get me one for Christmas. When Plank died I felt stressed over my fish and chose to hold off. Also I have re-homed mandies more than once because I could not get them trained onto frozen and I do not think my tank system could sustain one without it eating prepared food too.

Dave still wants to get me something for my tank so I have been looking into KP Aquatics. For about the same price as a CB Biota blue Mandy I could get a yellow ball sponge, a cork screw nem, a pistol shrimp (that perhaps could pair with the corkscrew nem), a green RFA, a fighting conch and 2 rooted halimeda! That is including overnight shipping (if everything can fit in 1 box). Those animals are a lot less risk and would add so much diversity to my tank. They are very much in keeping with the natural look of my display as well. I will let ya all know if I pull the trigger on this!
 
That sounds great! What's a green RFA? I've had great luck with KP Aquatics. The Yellow Ball Sponge is maybe the hardiest of the sponges, so great choice. I vote yes!

I didn't get to my planned weekend tank work either…
 
Michael Hoaster said:
That sounds great! What's a green RFA? I've had great luck with KP Aquatics. The Yellow Ball Sponge is maybe the hardiest of the sponges, so great choice. I vote yes!

I didn't get to my planned weekend tank work either"¦
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A green rock flower anemone (RFA).

I have always heard wonderful things about AP Aquatics and I felt better getting critters from them than Live Aquaria. It helps that they can overnight to me and I have had very good luck with overnight shipments from FL.

I am really happy to hear about how well the yellow ball sponge did for you. My tank is full of natural sponges that have proliferated over the years so I feel kind of confident that maybe I can get it to thrive!

With so many different things this will be a fun shipment to receive for sure.
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Cool, can't wait to see 'em!
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Well my order came today and it was amazing. Every animal was packaged in it's own bag, even the masked gobies which are tiny.

They are only about a half inch long and one of them was less than that but KPA generously gave me 4 instead of only the 3 I ordered. I have them in a baby net enclosure until I know that they are eating well.

They also gave me 3 rooted halimeda rather than just the 2 I ordered. All the other animals looked active and great. Of course the pistol shrimp scampered off into the rock work right away.

The nems, (curlicue and rock flower anemone) were opened even when they arrived and hopefully will put their feet down where I placed them. I should not have any trouble feeding them if they stay put, ha ha!

The yellow sponge is almost as big as a tennis ball! Its twice the size that I expected. That is the same with the fighting conch. I originally thought to put it in the fuge to help with algae down there. Then I began thinking that it's such a cool animal that it should be in the display. However once I saw its size, ( at least an inch and a half if not 2" in length) it will be a bulldozer in the display.

I will take some pics when everything settles in.
 
Awesome! KP Aquatics has always done me right too. I'm glad to see they are still doing great biz. I had a similar experience when I ordered my Royal Grammas. I ordered six, they sent seven.

I agree the fighting conch can bulldoze, so it may be too big for your display, depending on how sturdy your inverts, etc. are placed.

I hope everything does well for you!
 
Michael Hoaster said:
Awesome! KP Aquatics has always done me right too. I'm glad to see they are still doing great biz. I had a similar experience when I ordered my Royal Grammas. I ordered six, they sent seven.

I agree the fighting conch can bulldoze, so it may be too big for your display, depending on how sturdy your inverts, etc. are placed.

I hope everything does well for you!
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Yeah, I am afraid that the feather duster garden could end up scattered who knows where from the conch! LOL

I would definitely order from KPA again.
 
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