RDSB and turf algae

[harlequin tusk]

I set up a remote deep sand bed about 9 months ago. After about two months my nitrates went from 25 to in the area of 0-2. After about 4 months my rocks were covered by green turf algae(pretty sure that is what it is). Noone eats this stuff,except my 2 white urchins but they just cut out lines on the rocks. My question is, are the two things related? Is my rdsb the cause of my turf algae?

 

[vlangel]

It doesn't seem to me that the RDSB is to blame. Lots of folks have RDSB without turf algae, me included. Maybe its just that small pieces were lurking in the LR just looking for the opportunity to abound without something other than your urchins to prey upon it. I helped out with a tank that had that and I turned over the LR and eventually it died out, (hopefully that doesn't disrupt your aquascaping too much).

 

[harlequin tusk]

hmm perhaps ill give that a try, so all you did was turn the algae side down?

 

[vlangel]

Yeap, that way the turf algae couldn't have access to the light, which it needed. That aquarium doesn't have any turf algae now.

 

[cloakerpoked]

This does kill stuff, which can cause an ammonia spike if too much dies all at once. I just tore down my tank completely when my hair algae got too much out of control I think you could probably try some kind of tang if your tank is large enough to accomodate it.

 

[vlangel]

In regards to an ammonia spike, that does sound like a consideration. You might not want to turn over every single rock at once and you could try a tang at the same time if you have the room.

 

[harlequin tusk]

I have a 120g tank with a purple tang and a foxface that dont touch the stuff haha

 

[acer]

yep, my Kole tang picks at it a little but not much help. I also have a macro algae I cant keep in check- I think it is a type of razor caulerpa ( asexual) . cant get anything to eat it and it is a pain to get off rocks.

 

[implac]

Off the RDSB topic but a potential grazer recommendation... I had a bunch of red and brown aggressive turf-like algae that started to take over most of my rocks (it would even grow up through some small yellow sponges). My kole tang, argi angel, astrea snails and hermits would all pick at it but didn't make a dent. I finally found an abalone available locally, he systematically cleared every rock and put on about 1.5" of shell in under two months. Now I have to make sure there is *enough* algae growing for him :-D The algae he would eat was between 1/4" and 3/8" long.

 

[acer]

Hmmm wonder if the abalone would eat the razor caulerpa? as well as the red/brown hair algae. Sorry Tusk - kinda high jacked your RDSB thread. Cant say I ever heard of a decrease in Nitrites being related to any type of algae breakout. Chances are it was all ready there but not plentiful enough for you to notice. I got my red/brown and green turf/hair algae from rescuing corals form my sons tank that he failed to upkeep properly and so we took it down. SO, the algae transferred to my tank from his on the corals I rescued. NOT noticeable for a few months- but then "wam" breakout of the stuff and I have been battling ( and cursing) ever since..

 

[harlequin tusk]

haha no problem, ill have to look into an abalone possibly. Thanks for the info all