I NEED algae FAST!

kyanjesse · 07-05-2009, 07:11 AM

my tank is about 5 weeks old and i just got a lawnmower blenny. how can i get algae (hair/etc) to grow quickly in my tank?

m_hsiao · 07-05-2009, 07:43 AM

...you want to grow algae..? you shouldn't have picked up the lawnmore blenny till your tank was well established.. and 11G tank is not going to keep a lawnmore blenny alive.. to intentionally get algae for your tank just for to feed the lawnmore blenny is not going to work out in the long run nor is it good for your water parameters..

madlarkin · 07-05-2009, 08:01 AM

Gonna have to agree a lawnmower might not have been the wisest idea. Try offering it nori and see if it will take it.

szrazzt · 07-05-2009, 08:34 AM

You could always just use crummy tap water to top off your tank. In a couple weeks you will have all the algae they lawnmower can eat... ..

greysoul · 07-05-2009, 11:29 AM

I agree you should have waited on the lawnmower... but what's done is done.

To get algae quick sunlight will be your best bet, but it will still take a few days. Spirulina flakes might suffice for the mean time.

Otherwise, looking forward a few words of advice: research research research. Since you're in Thailand all the more reason. I doubt you have the ability to develop the relationship with your LFS that we do here in NA.

Know any fish you're going to buy. That lawnmower will not live in an 11g tank. They get pretty big and will clean a 50g tank by themselves, so an 11g will not sustain it. Even if they will take prepared foods they still have to have natural grazing opportunities. A single Occelaris clown will be pushing the limits of the tank on its own, so basically consider your tank fully stocked when it comes to fish. You could maybe get a barnacle blenny or clown goby, but that would be pushing things.

Also, get rid of those aptasia, they're a pest and can sting your fish.

-Doug

Phayes · 07-05-2009, 02:54 PM

In all my years- have never seen a thread where someone WANTS algae. Take it as a blessing that you don't have algae and get rid of the blenny!

the fisherman · 07-05-2009, 03:10 PM

just to add to phayes comment why would you want algae in such a small system if you add tap water to your system you will be sorry that you did so just take the lawnmower blenny back

bioreefdude · 07-05-2009, 04:37 PM

my blenny eats pellets but algae is easy one of my multi-vitamin supplements say if i add too much algae will grow and same with dt's live phytoplankton or add regular lamps with 5000k or 6000k

bioreefdude · 07-05-2009, 04:39 PM

i figure if hes not gonna take it back might as well help me !

madlarkin · 07-05-2009, 04:48 PM

Simplest way would be first trying nori. Just wrap it around a rock and sink it to the bottom.

07-05-2009, 07:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
kyanjesse Flamingo Tongue Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 109 Skin: Mint Karma: 1022	I NEED algae FAST! my tank is about 5 weeks old and i just got a lawnmower blenny. how can i get algae (hair/etc) to grow quickly in my tank? _________ Born:May 30,09, 11g now upgraded to 30g FOWLR , Wet/Dry Filter with 225gph return pump, 1 Sonic PH 158gph for flow,,16 lbs LR, 2" sand bed, 2 ocellaris, 1 yellow damsel,1 ornate goby.I'm an alien living in Thailand. Communicating with an LFS is rather frustrating.

07-05-2009, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
m_hsiao Purple Spiny Lobster Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 452 Skin: Mint Karma: 1436	...you want to grow algae..? you shouldn't have picked up the lawnmore blenny till your tank was well established.. and 11G tank is not going to keep a lawnmore blenny alive.. to intentionally get algae for your tank just for to feed the lawnmore blenny is not going to work out in the long run nor is it good for your water parameters.. _________ 75G Reef Tank: Equipment: 4x54W T5 HO, Octopus Skimmer, HOB Refugium, 1 Koralia 4, 1 Koralia 3, 3 Koralia 1, 1 Koralia 2, 125+ #s Indonesia LR Fish: 2 Occellaris, Blue Tang, Tomini Tang, Blue Angel, Lineatus Blenny, Lawnmore Blenny, Chromis, Neon Goby, Purple Dottyback, Sebae Anemone

07-05-2009, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
madlarkin Purple Spiny Lobster Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 451 Skin: Mint Karma: 2891	Gonna have to agree a lawnmower might not have been the wisest idea. Try offering it nori and see if it will take it. _________ "A woman drove me to drink and I didn't even have the decency to thank her"-W.C. Fields

07-05-2009, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
greysoul Johnny Hammersticks Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque Age: 30 Posts: 606 Skin: Mint Karma: 5446	I agree you should have waited on the lawnmower... but what's done is done. To get algae quick sunlight will be your best bet, but it will still take a few days. Spirulina flakes might suffice for the mean time. Otherwise, looking forward a few words of advice: research research research. Since you're in Thailand all the more reason. I doubt you have the ability to develop the relationship with your LFS that we do here in NA. Know any fish you're going to buy. That lawnmower will not live in an 11g tank. They get pretty big and will clean a 50g tank by themselves, so an 11g will not sustain it. Even if they will take prepared foods they still have to have natural grazing opportunities. A single Occelaris clown will be pushing the limits of the tank on its own, so basically consider your tank fully stocked when it comes to fish. You could maybe get a barnacle blenny or clown goby, but that would be pushing things. Also, get rid of those aptasia, they're a pest and can sting your fish. -Doug _________ _{Hardware: 58g DT, 20g fuge/sump Ehiem 1260, 55# live rock, live sand bed, 2x150 15kK HQI, Vortech MP40w, Pinpoint pH monitor. Livestock: 2 A. Ocellaris, 20+ hermits, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 2 Zebra Turbo, 20+ Nassarius, 1 bumblebee snail, 2 Green Chromis, 1 sand sifter star, 1 tiger tail cuke Corals: 6 zoa rocks, Pulsing Xenia, 2x Acropora, GSP, mushroom/button polyps, Frogspawn, leathers, ... Born 4/20/09}

07-05-2009, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phayes Aiptasia Anemone Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 24 Posts: 582 Skin: Mint Karma: 1283	In all my years- have never seen a thread where someone WANTS algae. Take it as a blessing that you don't have algae and get rid of the blenny! _________ Support the Coral Reef Alliance http://www.coral.org

07-05-2009, 08:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
szrazzt Peppermint Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 443 Skin: Classic Karma: 3057	You could always just use crummy tap water to top off your tank. In a couple weeks you will have all the algae they lawnmower can eat... ..

07-05-2009, 03:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
the fisherman Zoanthid Join Date: May 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 1,140 Skin: Mint Karma: 6907	just to add to phayes comment why would you want algae in such a small system if you add tap water to your system you will be sorry that you did so just take the lawnmower blenny back

07-05-2009, 04:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
bioreefdude Cannabi coral Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: stockton ca Age: 27 Posts: 1,434 Skin: Mint Karma: 10091	my blenny eats pellets but algae is easy one of my multi-vitamin supplements say if i add too much algae will grow and same with dt's live phytoplankton or add regular lamps with 5000k or 6000k _________ Equipment: 65g DT.10g Sump.20g Refugium. Rio 1700 RT.Vortech mp20.2xHydro 1s.Phosban150.100g Skimmer. 2x39w t5 and 400w mh 20k .200w 50w heaters.100gpd ro/di.Refractometer. Fish.Juvi Tang.Pajama Cardinal.Black Sailfin Blenny.Tomato and Percula Clown.STBG Damelsx3.Dragonet Goby.Sixline Wrasse Coral.zoas.palys.mushrooms.hammer.torch.gsp.clove s.millepora.open brain Macros.Chaeto.Codium.Halimeda.Caulerpa.Gracilaria.Mangrov es

07-05-2009, 04:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
bioreefdude Cannabi coral Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: stockton ca Age: 27 Posts: 1,434 Skin: Mint Karma: 10091	i figure if hes not gonna take it back might as well help me !

07-05-2009, 04:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
madlarkin Purple Spiny Lobster Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 451 Skin: Mint Karma: 2891	Simplest way would be first trying nori. Just wrap it around a rock and sink it to the bottom.