Algae Check

[jacobreynolds6883]

Hey everyone, build is only 6 months old and I’ve tried my best to take this really slow. I did have an outbreak with Cyanobacteria but appears after a 2 day in the dark eliminated it over a month ago. Perimeters are all great and staying steady. Everything seems to be thriving will include photos, tell me what you think? Now down to the algae, I have recently started getting what I believe to be algae hair. I constantly removed it but keeps returning, look at the photos make sure I’m ID this right. Question I bought a cleaner crew from Reef Cleaners but this is still present. Ideas on something that will eat this but not my snails, not a huge fan of hermits? Also every couple days sand gets a turning of color to it I believe it is diatoms, if so how can I get this in check without siphoning weekly, what do I need to check for? Thanks for your help!

 

[lapin]

Not sure of the size of your tank but some options are : Urchins, Sea hares, Tangs, Conches.

 

[jacobreynolds6883]

Not sure of the size of your tank but some options are : Urchins, Sea hares, Tangs, Conches.

It’s 90 gallon, been wanting to purchase kole yellow eye tang just haven’t found one locally in the past month. If Igo ahead and get an urchin which would be the best? Do they need to be quarantined, and any precautions with them?

 

[lapin]

I have never QT an urchin. I guess stuff can live on them like a snail. They do need to be acclimated as some like pin-cusions can be sensitive. They can pick up loose frags and stuff as camo.

Pincushion Urchin

Pincushion Urchins are captive bred, completely reef safe, and will consume many types of unwanted algae on the rocks. See below for more information.

www.algaebarn.com

Big ones like rock borers can move loose rock work. They can also run over your soft corals and its not pretty. I like them.

 

[jacobreynolds6883]

I have never QT an urchin. I guess stuff can live on them like a snail. They do need to be acclimated as some like pin-cusions can be sensitive. They can pick up loose frags and stuff as camo.

Pincushion Urchin

Pincushion Urchins are captive bred, completely reef safe, and will consume many types of unwanted algae on the rocks. See below for more information.

www.algaebarn.com

Big ones like rock borers can move loose rock work. They can also run over your soft corals and its not pretty. I like them.

Run over soft corals , what can the damage be. I love my cabbage & toadstools, don’t want anything that could damage them or is that more of an extreme case incident? I’m a fan of the blue tuxedo urchin, can you mix and match with two in a 90g?

 

[lapin]

Tuxs and other pins are safe and you can mix them. They will not bother those corals just loose frags.
Big urchins like pencils will mow the heads off trumpets

 

[Tankkeepers]

Pencils will also mow right threw zoas and palys and clams they will eat the mantel I have never kept tuxs and pins after the pencil ate a path right threw my zoas long ago so cant say as to them

 

[jacobreynolds6883]

Tuxs and other pins are safe and you can mix them. They will not bother those corals just loose frags.
Big urchins like pencils will mow the heads off trumpets

Ok thanks, huge help with the info. I see an urchin or two in my future this weekend.