I think it's normal ... but I'll run it by everyone

[jet_jer]

So my tank has been up for 4 weeks now and I am experiancing some very (neon under the actinics) algea on my rock and glass. I had "cooked" my 120 lbs of rock before setting up my tank so my cycle was pretty short - about two weeks. I have a sump/refugium with some Feather Caulerpa and in the display I have 2 tank raised Percula's, some pink zoo's, couple Kenya trees, montipora digitata (sp? small), some mushrooms, and a small xenia. I had a short outbreak of daitoms (brown algea) that lasted a few days and them was gone, from what I have read this green algea is normal and will pass in time but I just want to check.

I have placed 8 turbo, 2 cerinth, 12 scarlet reef hermits, and one cleaner shrimp into that tank for cleaning.

Thanks,
Jer

 

[MarksReef]

I remember setting up a few new tanks that started with a green film algea. Once the coraline started to take off, It went away.
I say normal.

 

[Blugobi]

I currently have some of the same algae I believe. It is bright green, but I think I have two varieties, one is growing like grass, which my snails seem to be keeping under control, the other is long and in a spiral shape and grows several inches a day. None of them are out of control and seem to be dwindling slowly. My Phosphates are at zero according to my teat kit(Salifert), however my LR is still kicking of some "mulm, slough or what ever it's called" and I think that may be contributing to my nutrient import. I have been vacuuming it of several times a week and it is also dwindling. If I were to add a tang, what would do well in a 90 gal if any? Sorry Jet, was not trying to hi-jack your thread.

 

[nwrogers]

From my experiences the light film of neon green algae means coralline algae is coming next. I am not sure if it is cause and effect or just the natural progression of things. No worries! Sounds like your doing great...

 

[jet_jer]

Not a problem - all algea questions are ok here

I like the sound of that - I think the thanks needs to go to everyone here as there is a lot of great info here and it all helped me setup the tank a better way from the get-go.

Jer

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Jer- the little bit of algae you have sounds "normal". It sounds like you have a real clean machine there. Watch the Hermits with your snails. I would get rid of any hermit that attacks any snail. Actually, I would skip hermits altogether, but that's just my preference nowadays. Get Stomatella snails from a fellow reefkeeper.
Tangs appropriate for a 90 reef would include Yellow, Kole (Yellow Eye), Convict, Black ( Z. rostratum ...unusual and expensive- I don't see it on the list below) and Scopas.

Here's the RC recommendations of minimum aquarium sizes for some popular aquarium Tangs:

Acanthurus achilles, Achilles Surgeonfish, 100 gal (380l).

Acanthurus coeruleus, Atlantic Blue Tang, 75 gal (285l).

Acanthurus japonicus, Powder Brown Tang, 75 gal (285l).

Acanthurus leucosternon, Powder Blue Tang, 100 gal (380l).

Acanthurus lineatus, Lined or Clown Surgeonfish, 180 gal (680l).

Acanthurus nigricans, Whitecheek Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).

Acanthurus olivaceus, Orangeshoulder Surgeonfish, 135 gal (510l).

Acanthurus pyroferus, Mimic Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).

Acanthurus sohal, Sohal Surgeonfish, 180 gal (680l).

Acanthurus tristegus, Convict Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).

Acanthurus tristis, Indian Mimic Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).

Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis, Chevron Tang, 100 gal (380l).

Ctenochaetus strigosus, Kole's Tang, 75 gal (285l).

Naso brevirostris, Spotted Unicornfish, 180 gal (685l).

Naso lituratus, Orangespine Unicornfish or Naso Tang, 135 gal (510l).

Naso unicornis, Bluespine Unicornfish, 200 gal (760l).

Paracanthurus hepatus, Pacific Blue Tang, 100 gal (380l).

Zebrasoma desjardinii, Indian Ocean or Red Sea Sailfin Tang, 135 gal (510l).

Zebrasoma flavescens, Yellow Tang, 75 gal (285l).

Zebrasoma scopas, Brown Tang, 75 gal (285l).

Zebrasoma veliferum, Sailfin Tang, 135 gal (510l).

Zebrasoma xanthurum, Purple Tang, 100 gal (380l)

 

[Blugobi]

Thanks Gary....just what I needed.

 

[Hound]

my kole tang is always munching on the algea way more then the yellow tang I had.....if your looking for a tang to control i deff recomend the kole.....