Clean up crew for my 9 gallon

[LukeSivyer45]

Hello everyone, sorry about the blues, I do really need to get a lens. This is my ada 45p reef tank, its home to 2 clowns, a pygmy hawkfish and as for critters; a sexy shrimp, 3 nassarius snails and 2 trochus snails. Im still getting stringy type algae on my gorgonians and I have got an increasing population of bubble algae. What are your recommendations?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Bubble algae you have a couple of natural choices. Emeralds - which I hate because they will not always eat bubble but will almost always eat corals. :( I just bought a rabbitfish today that has been rumored to eat bubble. I would also say get hermits...they eat gha like a champ and I am assuming that is the stringy algae you are referring too.

 

[TokenReefer]

Upping the water movement with a small powerhead addition might not be a a bad idea as well

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

it looks like the only water movement comes from the hob filter, I would add a powerhead to get some flow in the tank.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

You are way overstocked imo - youre going to be fighting this for awhile.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Yes I agree with 'water flow' as above, if it's a HOB filter this is only creating ripples on surface, you need something to provide a 'current' below surface, you can get wavemakers for this size aquriam for about £15 -£20
The current below surface will help alot :)

 

[LukeSivyer45]

Upping the water movement with a small powerhead addition might not be a a bad idea as well

I do have one however I feel like it causes too much movement however is that even a proper term in reef keeping as some people have got an absolutely ridiculous turnover rate for their tank

 

[LukeSivyer45]

Yes I agree with 'water flow' as above, if it's a HOB filter this is only creating ripples on surface, you need something to provide a 'current' below surface, you can get wavemakers for this size aquriam for about £15 -£20
The current below surface will help alot :)

Im running the seachem tidal 35 which is I think of memory 8 times turnover rate

 

[LukeSivyer45]

Bubble algae you have a couple of natural choices. Emeralds - which I hate because they will not always eat bubble but will almost always eat corals. :( I just bought a rabbitfish today that has been rumored to eat bubble. I would also say get hermits...they eat gha like a champ and I am assuming that is the stringy algae you are referring too.

Surprisingly its not gha, its a sort of brown colour but it will sometimes go on my glass, never sendbed or corals but it is always on my gorgonian and I can’t get rid of it

 

[TokenReefer]

Put the powerhead like half way down pointed up and get the surface water movin. Will even help raise ph...

 

[LukeSivyer45]

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Put the powerhead like half way down pointed up and get the surface water movin. Will even help raise ph...

Okay thanks, it will double my flow rate, do you think everything will be okay?

 

[TokenReefer]

Honestly I don't look at numbers like that (not that it's wrong). I just go by look/feel for flow but I'm also no expert. Whether it's being filtered at X rate is secondary to just getting the water moving so nutrients don't settle and food/waste can make it over to the filter (at some point)

 

[V A R I A N T]

Rather than getting a filter for your camera, temporarily turn on your white light and take a picture. Going to guess right now you have Dino’s, not algae. Only with a better pic can someone help you. Water parameters, test results, and some history would help, too.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Im running the seachem tidal 35 which is I think of memory 8 times turnover rate

Yes I think token_reefer absolutely correct.

I have 2 jaebos one 10watt and other 5 watt, I'm still adjusting mine to suit my 45g aquarium, these 'turnover'as you say alot more then neccasary,
You can adjust accordingly but it's your eyes judgement weather to much or too little:(

it's natural for fish to swim, if you have a high turnover and your fish are frantically swimming (obviously too high current)
If your fish are in corners/ down below on sand just looking around looking like they are bored (obviously too low)

if you increase flow/ add more current this would help with your algae and also entertain you fish more (in my opinion) :)