If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

[photo6x7]

My name is David, my user name is obviously photo6x7 and I have my son to thank for getting me into this hobby...he brought his 160g reef tank home from college and now I own a 240g reef tank.and by the way if anyone need any algae I am your man...which is what brings me to the point of this thread....I have attached an image of my particular type of algae....what kind is it and what would be the best way of getting rid of it.....thanks in advance for any advise you might be willing to share....besides maybe getting a new & better hobby.

 

[trigger:)]

Hello to ALL!! I'm Al from Connecticut, I cought the saltwater fish bug 25 years ago!! Unfortunately all my fish ended up at the glue factory. Here I am 25 years later trying again with more a little more knowledge and pacience. Its so nice to have a place like REEF CENTRAL!!!! Thanks to all that made this happen!

 

[Paul B]

David, that is very common hair algae and it is a pain to eliminate but you really need to.
I am sure that tank has been overfed for quite a while. I don't know what you have in there but you need to feed a "lot" less and probably feed something else.
I personally would not feed anything for two days then start pulling that algae out, by hand. Don't change the water but whenever you can, pull out the longer pieces of hair algae. Still don't change the water.
What kind of fish do you have and what are you feeding?
That yellow tang does not have to be fed anything now as it will eat some hair algae.
If you are feeding flakes (I would not) each fish only needs about three flakes each a day. A fishes stomach is as large as his eye and it does not have to be filled at each meal and don't feed them every day, not now any way.
Eventually after pulling out the algae the stuff will start to die all at once. When you pull out algae, the nutrients that grow the stuff will also be eliminated with it.
It will take a while, some weeks but it will leave.
After you eliminate the algae and feed "much" less, change the water.
Hair algae, and all algae is self limiting and will only grow as long as there are the proper nutrients present. Those nutrients are not in the water, they are locked up in the algae.
Your nitrates are probably very low because of that.
Pull out the algae and you will eliminate the algae.
If you change the water now, you will be adding more nutrients that may be low now due to the algae.

 

[ReefBike]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Jim, you can only do so much reading then you have to "hands on" to really learn.:thumbsup:

Now that's what I like to hear!! Just still deciding on what setup. :thumbsup:

 

[photo6x7]

Thanks Paul B.....
We believe that when we originally filled our 240 gallon Cube we used a R/O unit whose filters were way past their life expectancy....
I really haven't fed my fish very much because of the algae problem...I have the following livestock:
1 yellow tang
1 flame finned tang
1 six line wrasse
recent acquisitions:
1 fox face rabbit
8 blue eyed Cardinals

will the blue eyed cardinals eat algae too?

Thanks for the advice...I will start pulling the acquarium hair and stop pulling out my Hair.

 

[nichthyes]

Hellooo my name is Nick and I am new to reef central. I've had my 29G tank up n running now for about a year and 1/2 and recently decided to go reef with it. I went in to my LFS and asked for advice on a skimmer and new lights, wanting to know if I should switch to Power compacts or T5s. I was pointed in the direction of Coralife 30" T5s which would be just over 2 watts/gallon. Is that sufficient for any corals? I was looking for some good reading and/or advice on lighting for my nano tank, as well as some chemistry pointers. I am SO excited to get started but don't want to jump into something without a good idea of what i'm doing first! Thanks and I'm pumped to be a new reef keeper!

 

[Aquarist007]

Hellooo my name is Nick and I am new to reef central. I've had my 29G tank up n running now for about a year and 1/2 and recently decided to go reef with it. I went in to my LFS and asked for advice on a skimmer and new lights, wanting to know if I should switch to Power compacts or T5s. I was pointed in the direction of Coralife 30" T5s which would be just over 2 watts/gallon. Is that sufficient for any corals? I was looking for some good reading and/or advice on lighting for my nano tank, as well as some chemistry pointers. I am SO excited to get started but don't want to jump into something without a good idea of what i'm doing first! Thanks and I'm pumped to be a new reef keeper!

a general rule of thumb is 3-5 watts per gallon for lps and soft corals. SPS corals need alot more

[welcome]

 

[jacksback]

Hi All

Thought it was about time to say hi, having been reading lots over the six months since my return to reef keeping.

Steve in the UK

 

[reefgeek07]

hi there evreybody im shane Im mainly a fresh water guy ]V[fK lol if you all are fimilar with mfk thats where i herd bout this site im moving to the darkside to saltwater just lurking aaround this fourm because its geared at salt not fresh water giants!

 

[Paul B]

will the blue eyed cardinals eat algae too?

No, but all of your other fish are algae eaters they could like on mostly your hair algae.

 

[kraqus]

Kraqus says Hello

Kraqus says Hello

Hi guys!

I just wanted to introduce myself to the community. I have been a fish lover all my life and enjoyed going to the Aquariums as a kid. This Christmas the bug hit me when I gave my Daughter a Goldfish.

I am in the beginning stages. Reading A LOT. I got my first water kit and I have been getting used to it with the Goldfish. First time learning about the parameters and how to read the colors, etc..etc...

I live in Northern California, the Bay area. I noticed there is a forum here for the Bay area.....How cool is that!

Hopefully I will meet some peeps in the future....

Really excited about my new Passion.

Happy Reefing!



Benny

 

[Rotknee]

Another Newbie (kinda sorta)

Another Newbie (kinda sorta)

I've been lurking for a bit and I'm impressed with the knowledge and experience of the folks on this forum.

It has been 10 years since my last reef tank and now that I'm done with school, and have more resources (aka a job) I'm looking forward to building my 100g dream tank. 10 years ago Tunzee, Julian Sprung and the Berlin method were the rage. From what I have read thus far, things have changed a wee bit.

My last tank was a custom 40g tank (from Drastic Plastics in SF) with mostly soft corals with VHO lighting, algae scrubber and an Oceanic Series 6 protein scrubber. While it was the best I could do on my budget I really enjoyed that setup and the challenges of the hobby. Speaking of challenges...anybody still fighting with "Bristle Worms?":lol:

Anyway, the only thing I saved was a Tsunami wave generator and I don't even have a tank yet. I recently saw a tank with a center mounted overflow that appealed to me. I'll keep reading as my goal is make my tank purchase in the next 30 days.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I've been lurking for a bit and I'm impressed with the knowledge and experience of the folks on this forum.

It has been 10 years since my last reef tank and now that I'm done with school, and have more resources (aka a job) I'm looking forward to building my 100g dream tank. 10 years ago Tunzee, Julian Sprung and the Berlin method were the rage. From what I have read thus far, things have changed a wee bit.

My last tank was a custom 40g tank (from Drastic Plastics in SF) with mostly soft corals with VHO lighting, algae scrubber and an Oceanic Series 6 protein scrubber. While it was the best I could do on my budget I really enjoyed that setup and the challenges of the hobby. Speaking of challenges...anybody still fighting with "Bristle Worms?":lol:

Anyway, the only thing I saved was a Tsunami wave generator and I don't even have a tank yet. I recently saw a tank with a center mounted overflow that appealed to me. I'll keep reading as my goal is make my tank purchase in the next 30 days.

[welcome]
I toll a 10 year hiatus and it's amazing how much things change. For one bristle worms are considered safe fro the tank and allowed to live happily until they get too big, then we just pluck them out.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi guys!

I just wanted to introduce myself to the community. I have been a fish lover all my life and enjoyed going to the Aquariums as a kid. This Christmas the bug hit me when I gave my Daughter a Goldfish.

I am in the beginning stages. Reading A LOT. I got my first water kit and I have been getting used to it with the Goldfish. First time learning about the parameters and how to read the colors, etc..etc...

I live in Northern California, the Bay area. I noticed there is a forum here for the Bay area.....How cool is that!

Hopefully I will meet some peeps in the future....

Really excited about my new Passion.

Happy Reefing!



Benny

[welcome]
Benny, there are plenty of peeps that enjoy reefing in the bay area, Hope to see you around and don't forget to start a build thread when you get your salt tank up and running.

 

[Rotknee]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
I toll a 10 year hiatus and it's amazing how much things change. For one bristle worms are considered safe fro the tank and allowed to live happily until they get too big, then we just pluck them out.

Wow, I remember going to the house and buying one of the first bristle worm traps from the gentleman who invented them. We were obsessed and convinced bristle worms were evil back then.

I'm excited about taking my time and doing it right this time. Now I live in Southern California and can hang out at the importers beating on the doors like the lady in the old Mervyn's comericial "OPEN OPEN OPEN"

Thank you for the warm welcome Sis.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Wow, I remember going to the house and buying one of the first bristle worm traps from the gentleman who invented them. We were obsessed and convinced bristle worms were evil back then.

I'm excited about taking my time and doing it right this time. Now I live in Southern California and can hang out at the importers beating on the doors like the lady in the old Mervyn's comericial "OPEN OPEN OPEN"

Thank you for the warm welcome Sis.

I'll be moving to SoCal shortly. can't wait.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi All

Thought it was about time to say hi, having been reading lots over the six months since my return to reef keeping.

Steve in the UK

[welcome]
there's plenty of people from the UK on this forum, good luck with your new tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

hi there evreybody im shane Im mainly a fresh water guy ]V[fK lol if you all are fimilar with mfk thats where i herd bout this site im moving to the darkside to saltwater just lurking aaround this fourm because its geared at salt not fresh water giants!

[welcome] no fresh water here..just salt water as far as the eye can see. it's funny how the ones that come from fresh to salt stick to their roots and keep a planted tank... it'll be interesting to know if you do the same....

 

[kimLinds]

Hello!

Hello!

:jester:
Hello my name is Kim and I'm a new and excited member of this site!

I have some experience with fish only salt tanks, and jumping aboard the reef train now !!:dance:

ALL tips and tricks are welcomed!! Please feel free to send me a message with your advice!

I'd love to see your set ups!

My new-to-come tank is a 47 gallon and I'd love to hear ideas on how to set it up!

Thanks for having me!:beer:

 

[mgiatrakos]

Hello everyone. My name is Mike. I was first introduced to the hobby 4 years ago with my 55gal freshwater tank. I have been wanting to get into saltwater and reefs for awhile. I took the plunge and ordered the 12G Nano Cube on Dr Foster and Smith last night. This site is amazing. I look forward to mastering saltwater with the help of reading your forums and posting too. Any info or tips anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.Also, I live in Staten Island, New York and if anyone can suggest a real LFS other than these crappy petlands they have in this area I would appreciate that too. Best Reguards

Mike