Help removing chaeto from live rock

[Thjhiggins]

Hi,
When I set up my tank, I purchased premium uncured live rock. I did a great job curing it without killing much of the amazing small corals, multiple kinds of macro Algae (some I have never seen before like red moss). Anyway, I added a ball of chaeto directly into the tank but with the wavemaker and fish, it spread to the live rock. I am CONSTANTLY picking it off, brushing it off with a toothbrush and going crazy because within a week chaeto is covering every piece of rock. Does anyone know of a fish, cran or snail that will help clean the chaeto from the rock but generally leave all the other wanted and beautiful macros alone???? Here is a pic after I had just removed it all last week, Thanks to all!!!!

 

[SPR1968]

I dont know of a specific fish, because most vegetarians will eat the lot. I tried adding some micro algae to my tank and it disappeared in seconds

And welcome as well!

 

[Kiwi reefer]

Maybe a foxface but I don’t know if any fish that really go crazy for it

 

[Gtinnel]

I don't know about not eating the other macro, but I put an urchin in my refugium once and he quickly devoured all of my chaeto, but I suspect he wouldn't be too picky on what type of macro he was eating.

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome!

 

[clownfish81]

Hi,
When I set up my tank, I purchased premium uncured live rock. I did a great job curing it without killing much of the amazing small corals, multiple kinds of macro Algae (some I have never seen before like red moss). Anyway, I added a ball of chaeto directly into the tank but with the wavemaker and fish, it spread to the live rock. I am CONSTANTLY picking it off, brushing it off with a toothbrush and going crazy because within a week chaeto is covering every piece of rock. Does anyone know of a fish, cran or snail that will help clean the chaeto from the rock but generally leave all the other wanted and beautiful macros alone???? Here is a pic after I had just removed it all last week, Thanks to all!!!!

View attachment 2334381

Use the metal straw trick. It really works agains anything.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[PeterC99]

Welcome to R2R!

Have you tired lights out for a couple of days?

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Welcome

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to R2R, the product Vibrant will turn it to mush in a few weeks but it will do that to all macro algae and will effect pods, I know first hand lol.

An urchin is also a great option, they eat everything.

Good luck and welcome to R2R

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[dwair]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[MERKEY]

Hello and welcome to R2R!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hi,
When I set up my tank, I purchased premium uncured live rock. I did a great job curing it without killing much of the amazing small corals, multiple kinds of macro Algae (some I have never seen before like red moss). Anyway, I added a ball of chaeto directly into the tank but with the wavemaker and fish, it spread to the live rock. I am CONSTANTLY picking it off, brushing it off with a toothbrush and going crazy because within a week chaeto is covering every piece of rock. Does anyone know of a fish, cran or snail that will help clean the chaeto from the rock but generally leave all the other wanted and beautiful macros alone???? Here is a pic after I had just removed it all last week, Thanks to all!!!!

View attachment 2334381

Welcome! Glad you joined.

Agree with posts you already have that your other macroalgaes more likely to be impacted before chaeto which is tough - and in my opinion ugly which maybe is why most only use it when they have no other macroalgaes, putting it in refugium sump area out of sight.

Use the metal straw trick. It really works agains anything.

@clownfish81 "Metal straw trick" ... ? please share details - do you mean use like an airline tube (or attached to an airline tube so you can suck algae & water) but because its hard it lets you scrape better? Or do you mean something else? Searching this website for "metal straw trick" the only thread R2R found was this post.

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[jtp7004ft]

Welcome

 

[thatone08]

Welcome!