Good algae grazer for my 30 gallon?

Jakepen · Jul 4, 2016

Wanting to get myself a good algae grazer. Not a lawnmower blenny. I want something colorful, and active. Ideally would be a tang, but I know that's not a great home for a tang. Unless I re home him once he is bigger?
Tank is 36" long

RedoubtReef · Jul 4, 2016

tailspot blennies are pretty cool. have you checked those out? they stay small and are great community fish with character.

Jakepen · Jul 4, 2016

chichas said:
tailspot blennies are pretty cool. have you checked those out? they stay small and are great community fish with character.

Still a bit bland in color in my opinion.

Diesel · Jul 4, 2016

You don't have much choice in some colorful fish for your size tank that will go after your algae.
Maybe a balanced ULNS will get your algae under control and with the right amount of No3 dosing with some bacteria you won't have algae taking over your tank.

Jakepen · Jul 4, 2016

Diesel said:
You don't have much choice in some colorful fish for your size tank that will go after your algae.
Maybe a balanced ULNS will get your algae under control and with the right amount of No3 dosing with some bacteria you won't have algae taking over your tank.

I like to keep my nitrates detectible, which is still a challenge. I run a ATS in my back chamber. Algae is by no means growing out of control in my tank, but I do have a few patches. Just think it would be nice to have a fish that grazes on those said patches.

Jakepen · Jul 4, 2016

That's my very simple algae scrubber.

Diesel · Jul 4, 2016

That's why I said ULNS with a controlled No3 through dosing.
My No3 is around 5 and that is with dosing if I ain't dose for a day it will drop close to 0.0.
By controlled algae won't have a change as I dose during the night that corals only consume for what they need.

Jakepen · Jul 4, 2016

Diesel said:
That's why I said ULNS with a controlled No3 through dosing.
My No3 is around 5 and that is with dosing if I ain't dose for a day it will drop close to 0.0.
By controlled algae won't have a change as I dose during the night that corals only consume for what they need.

Do you have any more info on running a ULNS and dosing No3, Maybe a thread on hand?

Diesel · Jul 4, 2016

Jakepen said:
Do you have any more info on running a ULNS and dosing No3, Maybe a thread on hand?

Nope not really other than keeping it low due to No3 and Po4 reduction by either filtration or dosing nutrients reducing additives.
Bacteria dosing is one of them too.
Recently I used on a 60 gallon cube that has only softies in them and runs on a sump with nothing more than a lifereef skimmer a treatment of Aquaforest bacteria Pro-S and my Po4 and No3 dropped with in 7 days to undetectable as I started dosing 4ml twice a day on No3's but GHA did disappear in less than 2 weeks.
Still dosing Bac and No3 as corals took on more color and my Inferno nem split 2 time last month too.

Paul B · Jul 5, 2016

These Manatees work great, but they are expensive and the plastic bag they come in are prone to leaks.

fenwick79 · Jul 5, 2016

A couple of turbo snails will keep it all clean. then buy the fish you want.

Jakepen · Jul 5, 2016

Diesel said:
Nope not really other than keeping it low due to No3 and Po4 reduction by either filtration or dosing nutrients reducing additives.
Bacteria dosing is one of them too.
Recently I used on a 60 gallon cube that has only softies in them and runs on a sump with nothing more than a lifereef skimmer a treatment of Aquaforest bacteria Pro-S and my Po4 and No3 dropped with in 7 days to undetectable as I started dosing 4ml twice a day on No3's but GHA did disappear in less than 2 weeks.
Still dosing Bac and No3 as corals took on more color and my Inferno nem split 2 time last month too.

Is no3po4x the same as aqua forest? Also why are you dosing a no3 removal and additive at the same time? How do you know the corals are consuming the no3 and the bacteria isn't eating it all?

tj w · Jul 5, 2016

He was talking about different tanks. He has multiple

WilRams · Jul 5, 2016

Ill second a tailspot blenny. Mine is a good grazer and even better personality.

twilliard · Jul 5, 2016

Instead of a fish you can always count on these guys

http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+501+625&pcatid=625

Jakepen · Jul 5, 2016

tj w said:
He was talking about different tanks. He has multiple

I don't think he was. Maybe he was. I think I've read of people dosing both though, trying to find a balance.

Jakepen · Jul 5, 2016

twilliard said:
Instead of a fish you can always count on these guys

http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+501+625&pcatid=625

Thought it was spider when I opened the page hah. They work pretty well against algae?

Diesel · Jul 5, 2016

Jakepen said:
Is no3po4x the same as aqua forest? Also why are you dosing a no3 removal and additive at the same time? How do you know the corals are consuming the no3 and the bacteria isn't eating it all?

Not dosing any nutrient remover in my tank.
Testing daily on No3 will tell you if you need any, bacteria and Corals always consuming on No3's.
If you lacking No3 your corals will lose color.