I love my hair algae (part 2)

[Greg S]

Maybe I should take a little time and explain to people as to what I have going on with my tanks. The 125g (yes, the one with the hair algae) has all my misfits and unwanted (customer returns or drop-offs) fish in it. IT IS NOT A REEF TANK. It is well stocked with live rock (around 150lbs) and the only "sensitive" livestock are my sebae anemone and my LT anemone. Those two anemones have been there for over 3 monthe and have not lost size or color since day 1. I have about 260W of PC lights on the tank (2 10K, 1 Reef combo, 1 Actinic). For those experts out there that love to preach the 5W of light per gallon rule, to show their extend of knowledge, I would suggest to take a deep breath and relax. Would my anemones do better under MHs? Maybe... Are they healthy and happy now? Those that have seen them can testify about their well-being. I do not target feed them. My clowns do a wonderful job at "storing" shrimp or silversides in them during feeding times. As for my water changes, the main reason I do not do them in that tank is because I am using a filter that claims that provides adequate bio and mechanical filtration. I sell that filter to my customers and since I want to be an "honest" retailer (I know there are so many of us ) I figured I would put their claim to the test. So far I have been very happy with them which makes me suggest their product based on my personal experience. I know both Joe and Tim were shocked by the readings on my tank. I have not had a water change since June and here is my livestock list:
3 yellow Tangs, 1 Sailfin, 1 Six line wrasse, 1 Coral Beauty, 2 Clarkii Clowns, 4 Three stripped damsels, 1 Lawnmower Blenny, 1 Sebae, 1 LT, a few featherdusters, 30 or so hermit crabs and my porcupine puffer. I hope I did not forget anyone.
I was going to describe my next tank and post a picture of thedeep, deep ,deep sand bed in it but some of you might experience elevated blood pressure and signs of tightness in your chest area. That will be tomorrow's post, just remember,
WHAT WORKS FOR MY TANK MIGHT NOT WORK FOR YOURS AND VICE VERSA

[schneijt]

Well put, Greg. But, I still think a water change wouldn't hurt once in a while.

No, really, I can't argue with you. It's all working, even though most of us thought you were crazy. Congrats on proving us wrong.

-Joe

[Loverotties]

WC are key! to succes!

[pogodzib]

Well put Greg. The key to your explaination is your last line

Originally Posted by Greg S

WHAT WORKS FOR MY TANK MIGHT NOT WORK FOR YOURS AND VICE VERSA

People need to learn not to assume things from a single picture that they see in a post. Maybe it's just me, but I could not tell from the picture if the anemones were just added to the tank or has been in it for years, and if the anemone is loosing its zooxanthellae or recovering.

Would I go 6 months without a WC - No. Could the lack of WC's be aiding the algae growth - Yes. Water Changes not only help control the major elements that we test for, but they also help manage the trace elements that we may not be adding otherwise.

I will sit back and wait for someone to start commenting about all the trouble that your asking for with those fish together in the same tank. It won't come from me. I have 3 tangs (Yellow, Sailfin, Kole) together in my 125 with no problems.

The one thing that I have always liked about The Reef Tank over the others message boards out there is that suggestions can be given to help newbies and experts run their tanks better, but you don't see all of the bashing like you do in other forums. Lets try to keep it that way.

BTW - I have yet to find any other SW store in WI where the owner has spent so much time trying to get involved with a local reef club and I would like to tell Greg to keep it up. I can't wait to visit your store sometime when I'm up there. And please try posting a few macro shots of your tank when you get a chance.

[gwen_o_lyn]

Your fish need trace elements that are used up- by not doing water changes they aren't getting those...

Just curious what your nitrate levels are...

I am just trying to help you out, thats all...

I read threads all the time of people not doing water changes and claim their tank looks better than ever, but their success over the long run isn't great.

[Greg S]

Gwen my nitrites are almost zero but you are correct about the trace elements. I also need to let everyone know that I don't mind suggestions as to what I should do or not to do. I consider myself fairly new into the hobby and I dont take things said personally. I have been keeping fish only tanks for almost 10 years and I am just getting into reef keeping. The members that already met me in our meeting I think they realize that I have a fairly good sence of humor and they should feel free to give me as much s--t as they want (except Chuck, Tim, Joe, Lori, Tom, Amanda, Linda,...etc. ) It keeps it fun.
I will start adding some trace elements whenever I dose calcium. My little experiment with the filter was succesful anyways so now I can start converting to more traditional and acceptable methods.

[Greg S]

Sorry Gwen my nitrates were close to zero as well...

[Greg S]

Shame on you Brian keeping those poor fish together. Actually I love your little combo of tangs. Are they all pretty good size or still very young? Feel free to stop by if you are in the area, otherwise we will make sure that we invite you on the next meeting whenever Chuck gets settled down with his new job and announces the date. Thanks for the kind words as well...

[gwen_o_lyn]

Originally Posted by Greg S

I will start adding some trace elements whenever I dose calcium.

Adding trace elements will get very expensive- water changes are much cheaper. Keep in mind that you will need a test kit for everything you dose also. I'm not even sure all the stuff you will need to add, but I'm guessing it's a lot.

I'm not surprised you aren't showing nitrates- this just means your hair algae is using them up so fast that they won't show on a test.

What kind of test kits are u using? Most people recommend Salifert kits as being accurate.

[pogodzib]

The sailfin tang is about 5", the other two are still smaller. I didn't plan on keeping all three in there together, but the prices were just too good to pass up and my other tank (45gal) already has a foxface in it, which would have created some future stocking capcity issues. I'm usually in the area about once a month. The tough part would be finding the time to stop by.

What are your store hours and where exactly are you located? Is it in the same strip mall with True Value?

I was at the first meeting at Chuck's house, but I wasn't able to attend the last meeting. I'll be trying to make it to as many meetings as possible.

[yardboy]

I'm not sure what's so shocking about your tank. People have been keeping tanks like that for years. The Jetties, at the outlet of St. Andrews Bay in Panama City, sounds just like that. Every spring there's a major hair algae bloom, but by mid-summer the urchins have eaten it all. Nutrients are sky-high there, though there's little measurable nitrate. It's just I wouldn't bother and try to put corals in such a tank. They'd not likely last long. but if you want to prove me wrong on that, well, I won't give you frags anyway! Besides, what's all the need for light? I only have a 65W PC over my refugium, and the fish don't need it. All their nutrients come from food, not that much from water. Will the anemones survive? There are plenty at the Jetties, though there's a lot more light. Food may keep them satisfied. Just not the tank I'd want. While I don't mind algae in the refugium, don't really want it in my tank. And neither do my acro's.

[docdocmurdoc]

Good words Greg. The tank is not for anyone but you anyway. Whatever works for you, and you like is all that matters.

[jeffish]

Greg,

I too commend you on your interest in establishing a reputable honest reef store in Eau Claire. I have seen scientific claims, albeit unsubstantiated, that moderate dosing of the chemicals ouzo and metaxa in approximately a 50/50 ration may aleviate the symptoms of unwanted "hair algae" and extreme detritious.

Regards

jeff

[Liza]

I love hodgepodge tanks filled with crazy combinations of critters, and the hair algae just makes me think of home. Also, I think it's great you would test your products personally, Greg.

[Greg S]

Dear Jeff I am honored to receive your first solo post. I do agree with you that ouzo and Metaxa will indeed eliminate any vegetation (and propably any signs of life) in my aquarium. On the other hand, regular consumption by humans has the opposing effect. Like my grandpa used to tell me when I was 5 and was sharing his ouzo "Drink up boy, this will put hair on your chest" and (let me check....) yep he was right .