Hi all,
I have a 3x2x20” reef that has some persistent turf algae. I have a one spot foxface that occasionally eats some but not enough to make a dent. Other current fish include 2 clowns, a melanaurus wrasse, a flame hawk, and 5 small chromis. My nutrients are very low now, with nitrates roughly 5 and phosphates at 0.02, so now I’m stuck with this pesky algae. It’s very tough on the rock and can’t be manually removed in a productive manner. I’ve been battling it for months which has included manual removal, microbacter clean, adding clean up crew, etc.
I am considering adding a small tang or two to work on the algae. I’ve had a tomini before so that’s the leading candidate at the moment. What is everyone’s thoughts on adding a small tomini and a small zebrasoma over the next few months? I know a 3 foot tank is on the small side for tangs, but considering how much they swim on coral reefs, there are ethical concerns with all home aquaria.
Has anyone with turf algae specifically observed certain tangs that are better at eating turf algae?
Thanks,
Josh
I have a 3x2x20” reef that has some persistent turf algae. I have a one spot foxface that occasionally eats some but not enough to make a dent. Other current fish include 2 clowns, a melanaurus wrasse, a flame hawk, and 5 small chromis. My nutrients are very low now, with nitrates roughly 5 and phosphates at 0.02, so now I’m stuck with this pesky algae. It’s very tough on the rock and can’t be manually removed in a productive manner. I’ve been battling it for months which has included manual removal, microbacter clean, adding clean up crew, etc.
I am considering adding a small tang or two to work on the algae. I’ve had a tomini before so that’s the leading candidate at the moment. What is everyone’s thoughts on adding a small tomini and a small zebrasoma over the next few months? I know a 3 foot tank is on the small side for tangs, but considering how much they swim on coral reefs, there are ethical concerns with all home aquaria.
Has anyone with turf algae specifically observed certain tangs that are better at eating turf algae?
Thanks,
Josh