Fasting - Potential Tactic?

[TokioSuperGrip]

Hello,

I have a relatively new tank, seeded with live rock. Up to this point I’d consider everything to be a huge success. I’m starting to show signs of this red unidentifiable hair growing out of the sand. I want to get rid of it, it seems plantlike.

After searching what it could be, which was nearly impossible, I came up with an idea that is rarely discussed in this hobby. I want to send my tank through a 1-day fast. I will not feed them tomorrow, unlike my usual schedule of twice a day w/ frozen mysis and green flakes. The idea is that in this absence of food, my large CUC will focus their attention on other sources such a this new algae.

I understand it’s not a perfect method, but do people fast their tanks often as a way to combat issues? If anything it might be healthy.

 

[BryanM]

You might post a pic of whats bothering you so someone can help ID it.

I personally don't have any issues with fasting for a day.

 

[JTP424]

Restricting feeding/pulling back on adding supplements etc is often discussed as a way to starve many things! Be it algae, pests etc. If you're worried about things starving you can even investigate spot feeding.

 

[fish farmer]

What do you have for fish?

Maybe twice daily feeding can go to once a day?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What this pest is will determine what actions to take. I would not just assume reducing or stopping feeding will help. There are often enough nutrients in the water ready to last a considerable period of time.

 

[Maritimer]

Although impossible to confirm without a photo, red hairs growing out of your sand sounds a lot like spaghetti worms - if you've got those . . . celebrate!

They're an excellent member of your cleanup team.

~B.

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

You might post a pic of whats bothering you so someone can help ID it.

I personally don't have any issues with fasting for a day.

These are the best photos I could get, lmk what you think. Thin red hair

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

Although impossible to confirm without a photo, red hairs growing out of your sand sounds a lot like spaghetti worms - if you've got those . . . celebrate!

They're an excellent member of your cleanup team.

~B.

I , sadly , don’t think so. I used to have those though!

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

What this pest is will determine what actions to take. I would not just assume reducing or stopping feeding will help. There are often enough nutrients in the water ready to last a considerable period of time.

Fair point, I was optimistic the most prevalent algae would become the next source of food sort of self-regulating itself

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

What do you have for fish?

Maybe twice daily feeding can go to once a day?

I have two clowns, one yellow clown goby, and a split tail (honestly don’t know what it is) with a large CUC. I go through about one cube a week along with a small pinch of dried food every feeding