will my actions to eliminate algae hurt my corals?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Bob F, Oct 31, 2014.

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  1. Bob F

    Bob F Bristle Worm

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    Jan 28, 2014
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    New Jersey
    Over the last 3 months I have been battling cyano on my sand bed. I have taken several courses of action. I put in a more effective skimmer in sump, installed a GFO reactor, 15% water changes weekly siphoning sand, change filter sock every 3 days. i have a 70 gallon display with 30 gallon sump fuge with cheato. I have have been slowely winning the battle over the cyano as it now only appears as a very light coating in certian areas and getting better without the use of Chemiclean. My test for nitrates and phosphates is 0. I even bought a brand new Salifert Nitrate test kit and absolutely no color appears on test. It is as at the point that I am not even getting film algae on the glass where I used to clean twice a week. However, I do continue to also have bubble algae in display but not a problem as it only remains in the smallest crevices. I would love to see the cyano and bubble algae totally disappear but will this extremely low nutient level hurt my soft corals? AND I soon want to start getting SPS when everything is worked out. I am assuming the last remaining cyano and bubble algae are quickly absorbing the phos an nitrate as soon as available as my Cheato has slowed in growth as well. Should I just continue what I am doing or will my corals pay the price?
    Alk 8.1dkh
    PH8.1
    calcium 420
    Mag 1300
    THank you
     
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  3. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    I would say that the very low nutrient system may have a negative effect on your soft corals - I've read where many have also noted that sps benefit from a small amount of nutrients as well. I did get an emerald crab a couple of weeks ago and almost all of my bubble algae is gone - I know it can be hit or miss with them - I have kept a couple others in the past and they didn't do anything to the bubble algae. I think I'd probably keep doing what you're doing and perhaps feed a little more or change the sock less frequently? I'll let others chime in with advice.
     
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  4. Bob F

    Bob F Bristle Worm

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    Thank you fish keeper. Anybody else. I think I will just keep doing and eliminate algae completely first then see where to go hoping corals will not suffer in meantimr
     
  5. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    If there are fish in the system you should be just fine as they are constantly producing "nutrients".As OFK stated though you don't want to go overboard and strip them too quickly.Fighting algae is a marathon not a sprint.If you are not overstocked/overfeeding and stick to a good maintenance schedule you will eventually tip the balance in your favor.Everyones system is different so you will need to discover how much is too much. It may take weeks to see the results of your work.Just be consistent.
     
  6. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    As far as BA I always had great success with emerald crabs but they will NOT rid the tank of it.Manual removal and maintenance will help as emeralds will usually only eat the smaller ones which aids irradication immensely.Try to pick small females as they are generally less aggressive then the males.The introduction of supplemental algaes (if you have herbivores fish) can be counterproductive as emeralds usually prefer them to ba.IME if the EC are not eating the ba you have something in your tank more tasty. Good luck
     
    Billme likes this.