Hair Algae Eater

[RogersCG]

I've got a couple dozen or so snails and crabs, a clown and a shrimp in a 29 gallon that has been up for going on two months. The lights are new (110 PC). I've got a phosphate sponge, Chemi-Pure, carbon and a Poly Filter (which I just put in tonight) in a canister. I'm getting some Phosban this weekend and am going to order a reactor once SeaMonkey gets them in (if I can wait that long). Filtration is the canister with all the above in it and 60 lbs of live rock. I also have a Koralia 1 for flow. I tried 3 days w/o lights a week ago, didn't do much... There is some macro algae growth also. Corals (soft) all seem to be doing well. Levels look good but I plan on testing again tonight or tomorrow. I'm testing all the usuals (nitrate, nitrite, PH, ammonia, calcium, hardness, getting a phosphate test kit this weekend also). There is some coraline growth just starting on the back glass, canister output and heater...

Problem could be this was a freshwater plant tank last..

I need something that loves hair algae cause I gots plenty. I am planning on getting a few Emerald Crabs. Not interested in a Foxface. Any other suggestions? The only other fish I am planning on adding is a six line wrasse when I find a nice one. Would a small tang be helpful? I noticed the Red Sea Sailfins recently and think they are pretty. Has to be reef safe whatever I add. Note that everything is going into the 110 XH once it is up and stable in a few months (hopefully!!)...

Current picture:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s65/RogersCG/DSC_1503.jpg

Thanks!
Chris

[Boker420]

I wouldn't get any tang for a 29g. Since you don't want a foxface and that would be too big. I would strongly suggest a bunch of Astrea snails. They mow through the hair algea like crazy. The only problem with them is that they can't right themselves if they end up upside down. So you have to keep an eye out for stranded snails.

[spsick]

what do you have for a skimmer?

[RogersCG]

what do you have for a skimmer?

No skimmer. Weekly 5 gallon water changes with RO/DI water.

I'm pretty much trying to invest in the big tank or something that can I can use in the big tank as far as equipment goes at this time...

[mattb]

a small tang should be fine though a real small one as long as its not too long term. But you need to treat the root cause, which a tang would add to the nutrient levels. What tds is your rodi? Increase the water change percentage as its your only means of export....

[RogersCG]

a small tang should be fine though a real small one as long as its not too long term. But you need to treat the root cause, which a tang would add to the nutrient levels. What tds is your rodi? Increase the water change percentage as its your only means of export....

TDS is 0 (I just verified). The RO/DI unit is only a couple of months old also. 5 stage from Two part. Do you think maybe 5 gal every 4 days? Would more frequent vs amount have the same effect?

Thanks!

[David Grigor]

Don't bother with the phosphate kit unless your willing to spend $80 on one that's worth a darn.

I'd wait and give the changes you plan to implement a chance to work.

[RogersCG]

Don't bother with the phosphate kit unless your willing to spend $80 on one that's worth a darn.

I'd wait and give the changes you plan to implement a chance to work.

Good point...

I guess I was just curious if there was some little guy (like a wrasse or something) that I was currently growing a nice buffet for... I think I will get some more snails and keep up with the water changes a little more frequently. Even though this is a temporary tank in the living room while I build the larger one out it just bugs me it doesn't look too great at the moment...

Thanks all!
Chris

[hypertech]

I wouldn't do more than 1/2 emeralds. Cerith/astreas/turbos.

If it gets too long, you'll have to prune it - not much will eat it if it gets too big.

They all made a dent, but really the skimmer evicted mine.

Now all my big snails are dying because I've had this explosion of collonista snails. They comb the rock at night and I think they suck every semblance of algae out.

[RogersCG]

I wouldn't do more than 1/2 emeralds. Cerith/astreas/turbos.

If it gets too long, you'll have to prune it - not much will eat it if it gets too big.

They all made a dent, but really the skimmer evicted mine.

Now all my big snails are dying because I've had this explosion of collonista snails. They comb the rock at night and I think they suck every semblance of algae out.

I get in there with the scissors every few days... Can I get a hang on back skimmer for a small tank like this that would help for any reasonable price? I'm planning on a Tunze 9010 for the big tank but I won't be buying that for a month or two... I couldn't fit it in this one with the hood I have anyway. It would have to hang off the back if I did get something.

Wanna get rid of some collonista snails when I come by Friday?? ;)

[spsick]

you can find a cheap used prizm, or remora, maybe if nothing else a bakpak.
My buddy is running a 29 with a prizm and has 0 algae issues, and he's using cub water.

[Goldpony75]

I have a remora pro with mag 3 I could let go for $75.00 if your interested.

[spsick]

I have a remora pro with mag 3 I could let go for $75.00 if your interested.

That's a good deal man, isn't that the bigger one? wouldn't that be a little large for a 29?

[mtfatwork]

That's a good deal man, isn't that the bigger one? wouldn't that be a little large for a 29?

no such thing as a skimmer that is too big IMO :)

[Goldpony75]

Yep thats the big one rated for 40-120 gallons I got it from Wags for $100.00 I think it was, and I added the drain fitting to it. I actually had it on a 29 gallon and the pump was a little obtrusive in the tank but you could always swap the pump to a maxi 1200 and it would still be plenty big, you would lose about 100gph flow through.That's a good deal man, isn't that the bigger one? wouldn't that be a little large for a 29?

[wes]

I have a remora pro with mag 3 I could let go for $75.00 if your interested.

if he doesn't want it, I'd take it, hell then I'd have a prizm for him for $40, if he wants it... an assist type play?

[storrisch]

I have a Red Sea Prizm Protein Skimmer Deluxe for sale for $50 as well.

[hypertech]

Wanna get rid of some collonista snails when I come by Friday?? ;)

Remind me and I'm sure we can find a handful for you.

[wes]

wow, lots of skimmer options! sweet for you dude!

[gogregerson]

I have 40 gallon breeder and I'm using Sea Clear Protein Skimmer and no hair Algae just thought I would let you know about the Sea Clear Protein Skimmer. The Sea Clear Protein Skimmer is really cheap and grate for small tanks

Here's a first, someone supporting a seaclone! lol

[gogregerson]

The reason I made that comment about the Seaclone is it was sold to me as "the skimmer to have" by FLPs for my 55gal tank. As it turns out it is a subpar skimmer that I could have put the $100 towards a skimmer that works which I ended up having to do anyhow, only now I was out $100. My advise, don't waste money on what you can "get by with" save for what you need.

[mattb]

Chris, ok on the rodi.... thanks :)

Do you have a sump for this? I may be able to borrow you a skimmer (have a spare ER RS80, and an ETSS RDD) But these would add add bubbles to your display (and most people don't like those)

[RogersCG]

Chris, ok on the rodi.... thanks :)

Do you have a sump for this? I may be able to borrow you a skimmer (have a spare ER RS80, and an ETSS RDD) But these would add add bubbles to your display (and most people don't like those)

Thanks a lot for the offer Matt but I am just going to get the Remora Pro from Goldpony75. I can use it for a bit then if I do end up taking down the 29 (which is the current plan) I can sell it to the next guy who needs it...

~Chris

[wes]

Thanks a lot for the offer Matt but I am just going to get the Remora Pro from Goldpony75. I can use it for a bit then if I do end up taking down the 29 (which is the current plan) I can sell it to the next guy who needs it...

~Chris

I'll go ahead and get in line for that remora... :-) that's the exact price and skimmer I've had an itch for. I'm in no hurry, (always gotta remind myself of that in all aspects of this hobby) but if you ever get around to not needin' it, let me know.

[RogersCG]

I'll go ahead and get in line for that remora... :-) that's the exact price and skimmer I've had an itch for. I'm in no hurry, (always gotta remind myself of that in all aspects of this hobby) but if you ever get around to not needin' it, let me know.

Noted! I can't promise it will come down soon or at all... Though the "plan" is to take it down when we get the other one setup I may just try to keep it up too.... Don't tell my wife... ;)

[wes]

ahh yes, I got a ball python last weekend for an empty 30 I had sitting around, but it came with the whole setup, so I'm tryin' to weasel a way into another snake, or ????

ain't it a blast?

:-)