Several of you have given me great advise from what books to buy and read to what types of lighting to use. Well I finally got my power compact system and it's been interesting. First I have the heat issue so I mounted an external fan over the tank (i plan to raise the light). Now I have a red algae growth problem (someone said get some sort of chemical, but i don't want to use chemicals in my tank). Here's the real trick. I've got a "CREATURE" that I've just now seen. It looks like a venus fly trap under water living in a craeter in a piece of the rock. I saw it snap close like a snapping turtle, but i can't see either side of it. It doesn't seem to any eyes, tentacles or anything else except it looks like it may have a feather duster inside it? Has anyone ever heard of something like this?
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- Thread starter duhdonutman
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your "creature" sounds like a type of feather duster or other filter feeder, pics would help if you can. Anyone else have an idea?
Featherdusters are quite common on LR so it is quite possible thats what it is, a pic would make a positive ID much easier though. Skip
introducing brighter lights can mak algae bloom, try cutting down on the hours the lights are on, if you don't want to run chemicals. also, is there anything other than live rock in there? becuase if its just cycling dont worry about it.
Red algae is probaly red cyanobacteria (is it slimy looking with lots of oxygen bubbles?) which is an indication that you have high dissolved organics - likely phosphates. Even though you distain the use of 'chemicals' you may want to consider using one of the phosphate removing compounds like phosban or rowaphos; they work really well!
Also, you can export the nutrients either through more frequent water changes or the use of a protein skimmer. Are you using a protein skimmer, and if so do you clean it regularly?
Increasing light levels can cause short-term algae blooms, however, if you address the nutrient levels it should dissapear.
I have found through personal experience that reducing light levels (or duration) is actually not helpful as it addressess the symptom but not the cause of algae blooms. I run extremely high light levels on my reef tank (4 x 250 w HQI + VHO flourescent) and have no algae prblem to speak of.
Simon
Also, you can export the nutrients either through more frequent water changes or the use of a protein skimmer. Are you using a protein skimmer, and if so do you clean it regularly?
Increasing light levels can cause short-term algae blooms, however, if you address the nutrient levels it should dissapear.
I have found through personal experience that reducing light levels (or duration) is actually not helpful as it addressess the symptom but not the cause of algae blooms. I run extremely high light levels on my reef tank (4 x 250 w HQI + VHO flourescent) and have no algae prblem to speak of.
Simon
bloom
I had the same bloom last week which was simply from the new tank cycling.It lasted me about 3 weeks total.It was a reddish brown covering my sand and rocks.I used no chemicals, I did a partial water change once a week, about 30% tank volume using only RO water mixed with instant ocean, I used no chemicals or phosphate removers and I didnt change my lighting.Also the creature you are describing, I have seen and it may be a barnacle.
I had the same bloom last week which was simply from the new tank cycling.It lasted me about 3 weeks total.It was a reddish brown covering my sand and rocks.I used no chemicals, I did a partial water change once a week, about 30% tank volume using only RO water mixed with instant ocean, I used no chemicals or phosphate removers and I didnt change my lighting.Also the creature you are describing, I have seen and it may be a barnacle.
Cyano is not fun to deal with whn it really breaks out. In extreme cases you can use Chemi clean which is very reef safe. The Cyano is something that most tanks go through at the begining stages of maturity and in most cases will go away on its own with proper maintenance.
By the sounds of your description on the "thing", it sounds to me like it might be a x-mas tree worm which are generally found within sps corals. They do have a little hatch door and the feather is spiral shaped.
By the sounds of your description on the "thing", it sounds to me like it might be a x-mas tree worm which are generally found within sps corals. They do have a little hatch door and the feather is spiral shaped.