Not enough algae growth

[shoeman]

Wierd problem, I have too little algae growth, none at all! I have 2 55W PC's and 2 35Watt Actinics. I cannot get either hair algae or Macro algaes to grow. Any hints?

Oh I have a 55 gal and I have good coraline algae growth.

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[This message has been edited by shoeman (edited 05-22-2001).]

[reefland]

Hi shoeman

Well first of all I can't think of any reason why you would want hair algae grow.

Where are you trying to grow the macro at? Your tang will most likely eat anything in the display.

[ravenmore]

ditto that - unless somehow you don't have enough nutrients in the system to grow algae. That's pretty unlikely. Have you seen your tang nip at the algae or rocks?

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[Neal359]

if you would like to trade some rock i have a few peiceses that has a lot of alge on them

[shoeman]

Well, I happen to think hair algae is pretty, and my tang would and did take care of it. I had my macros in a sump refugium, and it didn't grow well there at all. I have a friend who has a tang and had a macroalgae problem, He eventually had to take it out because it took over and the tang couln't keep up. My tang does pick at rock and love the dried stuff I put in there and sometimes I will see small amouts of algae on my skimmer intake sponge, but the tang takes care of it. Just would like to see more I guess. Not a common problem I guess!

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[icemark]

Hey Shoeman

You want hair algae?... I got some rock I'll sell you.

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Mark

Play Well

[FISHme]

Shoeman,
DON'T TRY TO GROW HAIR ALGAE !!!
This stuff is a NIGHTMARE !!!!
Just ask around and see if anyone thinks this is a good idea. I think not !!!!
I don't mean to sound harsh but I just finished ridding my system of hair algae and I couldn't be happier [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
http://community.webtv.net/MarkPelsk...LTWATERAQUARIA

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[Invisibleman]

I think Shoeman wants to grow the Macro Hair algae. You know, the kind that looks like a patch of grass...

[chromis]

I think its called maidens hair. FFExpress had is usually.

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[jimc]

Is the Macro hair algae you are refering to very coarse and hard to pull off? I wondered what that stuff was. It can also be a pain. It looks very nice but it can get out of control. Neither snails nor the tang care for it much and it's impossible to completely pull off. I just pulled a rock out that was covered with it. I did not want it to spread to other parts of the tank.

[jimc]

Sorry, couple days in the sun and that baby was white as snow and all the algae dead. Cleaned it up and reintroduced it and already have pink and purple spots.

[snoopdog]

Hey Shoeman what kind of stuff have you put in your tank that you got locally, did you go to Dauphin Island or Gulf Shores. I also live in Mobile and was just curious.

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[shoeman]

Well, I have a couple of rocks from out of Orange beach, about 10 miles off. Many small shells for hermits to change into, and an Atlantic Toadfish caught off of Dauphin Island. I hpoe to get some small hard corals this fall. I have seen them on a couple of manmade structures not real sure of the types. No problems so far.

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[shoeman]

I would take that rock if it is still viable. Yes I want the fine hair algae that looks like very fine grass. I originally had a terrible problem with both hair algae and cynobacteria, but I can keep that under control. I just want some color and some natural growing food for my tang. I am not scared of introducing problems into my tank. I bring in shells, rocks and even fish in from the gulf, and I only acclimate for temp and salinity before I drop them in. Haven't had any problems in 3 years! Plus I think it adds diversity to the tank. My opinion is that no area is perfect in bioload anywhere. If you are careful and watchful, you can keep something from taking over. If you give it a chance, any bioshere will balance out, although it may not balance the way you want!

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Go Vols!!!!!!! See my Tanks http://www.zebra.net/~shoeman/fish_tanks.htm