sargassum algae control

finrod2

New member
I have an epidemic of sargassum brown macro in my 240. Doesnt make sense to pull all of my rock and scrub. Any natural way to control. I have two tangs, a lawnmower blenny, and a pencil urchin. None of them touch it. Do long spine urchins like it? Thanks
 
Hi Finrod. Question, is this a new tank setup or have you added new live rock? That is when I typically run into Sargassum growth. In fact, it will grow crazy for about 6 months or so and then go poof and disappear. At least it did for me back when I had a 100 gallon tank.

As far as tangs, I have heard Nasso Tangs are the best choice. At least that is what was recommended to me when I asked a few years ago as well as my research. I ended up just manually removing it because a Nasso Tang would have been too big for my tank.

Since you have a 240 gallon tank a Nasso would be perfect. I just can't say for sure if it will do the trick. Side note. After a while I actually got used to the stuff and liked it. I just had to keep it trimmed and neat :)

Best of luck.
 
Saf1, thanks. Tank is 7 months old but used mature live rock. I do feed alot so I'm sure that is part of my problem. I also have cheto in the fuge. I've been pulling it out. I wonder what the reason is for your die off at 6 months? Thanks again
 
all invasive macroalgae are highly susceptible to in tank peroxide use and none of the other animals you listed are. This is a viable option. if you would like to see endless examples of before and after pics its in our thread in the nanos forum, pico reef pest algae problem challenge. I know you asked for natural methods, if those don't work this will. the current tanks we are treating on the last pages are 400+gallons and 200+ gallons

the actual sargassum cures are linked out to 3reef its not actually in that thread, but enough comparable kills of fellow invasive macros are, and sargassum responds the same, its highly susceptible, among the easiest things to kill with it.
B
 
I'm not sure why it is that mine died off in about 6 months, but it did. I seem to recall that it typically happened with newer rock, the rock type, and nutrients. After that amount of time I guess everything gets back in sync or a balance is set and Sargassum's requirements can't be met so it stops growing.

I exchanged emails with Robert Fenner back then asking for some ideas and the Nasso. He had, and assuming he still does, a pretty decent site dedicated to Q & A. As I mentioned I ended up passing on the Nasso because my tank couldn't house it long term which was too bad. I really liked those! In the end I sort of liked it as it reminded me of kelp forrests in Monterey :) I'm a diver. Anyway - just kept trimmed in the end and as isolated as I could and that was the end.

My tank at the time was 100 gallons, deep live sand bed, and fiji live rock from harbor aquatics. I think my fish at that time was a Kole Tang and a school fo Anthias Bartlett's. Coral was a frog spawn and a rather large elegance. Few zoa's.

Lights 2 x 48" VHO's and a pair of 175W MH's. BTW Brandon above also has a reasonable idea. Might be worth checking out too.
 
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