Nitrates - 0
Phosphate (hanna ul) - 0
Alk 8.5 (was about 7)
Cal 500 (bringing down)
Salt 1.025
Temp 82 (was 78)
Mag 1500
I have been frustrated with cotton candy algae as I cannot seem to control it. If Mexican turbos cannot be purchased reliably, then the tank will go nuts. I tried starving out algae so reduced feeding, raised light. it didn't go away... So tank has been neglected and dinos have set it. It probably had an infestation for 6 months. The 2 clowns, tang (noticed bumps on skin today), and clam seem happy. The zoanthids have been closed for months. The iridescent toadstools have not popped out either. I have decided to either (1) get rid of everything and nuke tank, (2) combat the dinos and cotton candy, or (3) just shut it down. I am trying option 2 right now, but may lead to option 1 based on recommendations and results of my efforts.
To combat the dinos, research suggests increasing temp to 82F. Increase alk to 8.5. Use chemiclean to make sure it isn't cyano. Removed light to refugium. The very small amount of chaeto that looked dormant, i put in display. All done. Next step is to add nitrates, increase feeding, and add a competing critter load. These steps are pending as my order should arrive on Friday.
The theory is to increase nitrates/phosphates so other thing (bugs/plants) grow to outcompete the dinos. The problem I see is that cotton candy algae will happily consume the extra phosphates and nitrates. But that stuff is annoying too. To take control of the algae, I have always used mexican turbos. But they are big - don't get small spaces - and not always available. Plus, dinos kill them. i have tried two batches and all died within 3 days - an expensive waste of money. Emerald crabs seem to trim the cotton candy (or eat it) so they seem to benefit some. I want it gone, though.
If the idea is to increase nitrates and phosphates, should I turn off my skimmer?
Should I do water changes? Changing or not changing seems to have no impact on the dinos.
Should I keep the refugium going? If so how - dinos cover the surfaces. Cotton candy grows on chaeto. Chaeto doesn't seem to outcompete dinos or cotton candy.
I was dosing 2 part, and let it run out to see if there was an impact. None that I see.
I dose kalk, but not sure how much is going in. it should be saturated kalk, but doser seems unhappy with the solution. Working on this... Clam seems fine. no coralline algae on sides. The clam is about 6 inches.
Is there a recommendation for something that eats cotton candy and also won't die to dinos? Maybe a nudibranch or even a fish? I tried a pincushion urchin that is alive after 1 month. not sure what it is eating...
Anyone have some ideas?
Phosphate (hanna ul) - 0
Alk 8.5 (was about 7)
Cal 500 (bringing down)
Salt 1.025
Temp 82 (was 78)
Mag 1500
I have been frustrated with cotton candy algae as I cannot seem to control it. If Mexican turbos cannot be purchased reliably, then the tank will go nuts. I tried starving out algae so reduced feeding, raised light. it didn't go away... So tank has been neglected and dinos have set it. It probably had an infestation for 6 months. The 2 clowns, tang (noticed bumps on skin today), and clam seem happy. The zoanthids have been closed for months. The iridescent toadstools have not popped out either. I have decided to either (1) get rid of everything and nuke tank, (2) combat the dinos and cotton candy, or (3) just shut it down. I am trying option 2 right now, but may lead to option 1 based on recommendations and results of my efforts.
To combat the dinos, research suggests increasing temp to 82F. Increase alk to 8.5. Use chemiclean to make sure it isn't cyano. Removed light to refugium. The very small amount of chaeto that looked dormant, i put in display. All done. Next step is to add nitrates, increase feeding, and add a competing critter load. These steps are pending as my order should arrive on Friday.
The theory is to increase nitrates/phosphates so other thing (bugs/plants) grow to outcompete the dinos. The problem I see is that cotton candy algae will happily consume the extra phosphates and nitrates. But that stuff is annoying too. To take control of the algae, I have always used mexican turbos. But they are big - don't get small spaces - and not always available. Plus, dinos kill them. i have tried two batches and all died within 3 days - an expensive waste of money. Emerald crabs seem to trim the cotton candy (or eat it) so they seem to benefit some. I want it gone, though.
If the idea is to increase nitrates and phosphates, should I turn off my skimmer?
Should I do water changes? Changing or not changing seems to have no impact on the dinos.
Should I keep the refugium going? If so how - dinos cover the surfaces. Cotton candy grows on chaeto. Chaeto doesn't seem to outcompete dinos or cotton candy.
I was dosing 2 part, and let it run out to see if there was an impact. None that I see.
I dose kalk, but not sure how much is going in. it should be saturated kalk, but doser seems unhappy with the solution. Working on this... Clam seems fine. no coralline algae on sides. The clam is about 6 inches.
Is there a recommendation for something that eats cotton candy and also won't die to dinos? Maybe a nudibranch or even a fish? I tried a pincushion urchin that is alive after 1 month. not sure what it is eating...
Anyone have some ideas?