Turf scrubber only growing slime algae?

[Miami Reef]

Just Waiting won’t work. You need to brush/scrub the slime off every few days for 4-6 weeks.

But @KStatefan mentioned that was only a week’s worth of growth, implying he cleaned it prior, maybe just that one time prior to that week, but likely more frequently based on the rate of his “algae” growth.

Would that sound right?

 

[VintageReefer]

@VintageReefer what would you say to someone that only grows Ulva on the screen? (at least thats what it appears to look like) Sucks up N&P though. Its not turf at least not the kind I think of as turf.

Ulva I believe is a type of algae the scrubbers can grow and is ok

 

[VintageReefer]

But @KStatefan mentioned that was only a week’s worth of growth, implying he cleaned it prior, maybe just that one time prior to that week, but likely more frequently based on the rate of his “algae” growth.

Would that sound right?

Scraping and scrubbing are different types cleaning. If he scraped it off with a credit card, that isn’t going to stop the slime. Needs to be scrubbed down and rinsed to get rid of slime algae residues

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Just chiming in, my method for dealing with slime is to rub & rinse more frequently.

Scraping - not needed as slime comes off with very little effort, and you don't want to remove any GHA that is getting a foothold

Scrubbing with a brush - don't get too aggressive, you don't need to start over (or remove any GHA)

Rinsing - luke water tap water and fingertips, maybe a sprayer but at low volume (not garden hose full throttle)

The slime will come back as long as conditions are right, and this can last weeks. GHA will eventually get a strong foothold.

Dark slime over the top of GHA can persist for months. It won't keep the GHA from growing, but it will appear black under red LED light and when you shut off the water, it stinks bad (like Anthelia when you remove it from the water, IYKYK). For that I remove the screen 2x/wk and rub/rinse under tap water, typically not removing any GHA (except picking at the clumps)

 

[kyreefville]

So funny now that I now I have bad slimy GHA. Ironically after this thread came up in my neglected 10 gallon snail tank I had this strand of the most beautiful bright green GHA. So green I thought what is that easter grass. Of course I immediately snatched it up and took it down and put it in my big tank. And now I'm hoping for some pretty GHA in the big tank. Today I noticed another tuft in the snail nano. So here's hoping for pretty GHA.

 

[Miami Reef]

So funny now that I now I have bad slimy GHA. Ironically after this thread came up in my neglected 10 gallon snail tank I had this strand of the most beautiful bright green GHA. So green I thought what is that easter grass. Of course I immediately snatched it up and took it down and put it in my big tank. And now I'm hoping for some pretty GHA in the big tank. Today I noticed another tuft in the snail nano. So here's hoping for pretty GHA.

Let me know how it goes.

I’d like to see a picture of it. Sounds great.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

This was the algae before my first cleaning

I’ve been following you on this. When I come up for air later I’ll show you the experiment I am going to do. I have a couple options. I’m going to ask you to weigh in.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have a weird update.

It seems like I’m growing thicker algae this time around. The algae changed after the first scrape.

Very interesting. I’m going to watch and see what happens.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Mine is thick green bush like and I even give a little to the tangs who devour it. I started out with slime but each time I got a buildup, I left a little and it got thicker but I also changed pump and it appeared to get more luscious with higher flow

 

[Miami Reef]

Last year I was only able to grow slime. I kept at it, cleaning when it got full.

When I hooked it up and saw slime again this time around, I thought it was hopeless and just wanted to add the turf strain to seed it.

 

[Miami Reef]

Mine is thick green bush like and I even give a little to the tangs who devour it. I started out with slime but each time I got a buildup, I left a little and it got thicker but I also changed pump and it appeared to get more luscious with higher flow

That’s good to hear! Thanks. I always liked having higher flow in my unit.

I think the main difference between now and the attempt last year was the carbon dosing; I dosed a LOT last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it caused the mesh to have a slick texture, encouraging the slime strains to grow.

 

[UncommonSense]

I have a weird update.

It seems like I’m growing thicker algae this time around. The algae changed after the first scrape.

Very interesting. I’m going to watch and see what happens.

Mine did take a good month or two to really get fully established and start growing nice beards of green Turf algae; just give the turf time to outcompete slime for real-estate!

 

[Miami Reef]

@KStatefan

Hey buddy, how many hours do you run your scrubber light for?

 

[KStatefan]

@KStatefan

Hey buddy, how many hours do you run your scrubber light for?

18 hours per day

 

[Miami Reef]

18 hours per day

Do you dose trace elements?

 

[KStatefan]

Do you dose trace elements?

Yes I have been doing a modified RMS just switched to a Captiv8 daily auto dosing solution

4 days growth

 

[Miami Reef]

Update! The green is coming through.

 

[Miami Reef]

Yes I have been doing a modified RMS just switched to a Captiv8 daily auto dosing solution

4 days growth

That’s so strange. Mine was 5 days of growth.

So you have strong flow through it, lots of light, detectable nutrients, and you dose some trace elements. Would you consider trying some Cheato Gro? I started it last week, and I definitely never had these results before. I can’t say it’s 100% related, but it’s interesting. I think the higher iron might be the ticket.

 

[Garf]

Doesn't look like you've roughed the screen up as advised in post #3.

 

[Miami Reef]

Doesn't look like you've roughed the screen up as advised in post #3.

Of course I did. I used a jagged knife and had a lot of plastic shavings as a result.