Help! MacroAlgae problem

[vt rules]

I've got some macro in my main tank thanks to a live rock. At first it was okay but now it is starting to grow out of control and I'm afraid it may take over the rest of my rocks. It seems to be very invasive. Even if I took the rock out (which I don't want to do) I don't think I could get all of it off this rock. Is there something that will enjoy eating this stuff? Tangs, crabs ,etc?

 

[sea horse]

I have a emerald crab that does a great job of keeping both hair algey and buble algey under control.

 

[chipmaker]

Depends on what kind it is. Tangs will eat Calurpa (sp?)

 

[bang guy]

What size tank?

 

[dogstar]

Most large type macros do grow quicky and can only be pulled out by hand or as you are considering some critters to control or eliminate it. Controling nutriants and lighting can help to slow the growth but not stop them. Best are Foxface or Tangs but tank size and tankmates are an issue with them.

 

[vt rules]

It is a 55 gallon tank. I'm not sure what kind of macro it is. It has very small round leaves on it. Will any crabs eat? Yellow tangs? My tank only has 2 small clowns and a lawnmower blenny in it right now.

 

[moby]

If you have a refugium, you could grow the macro in it and the stuff in the tank would eventually diminish. Since the macro growing in the rufugium would use up the nutrients the stuff in the tank would starve. Just keep pruning back the tank macro and let the macro in the refugium grow.
Moby

 

[vt rules]

Originally Posted by moby
If you have a refugium, you could grow the macro in it and the stuff in the tank would eventually diminish. Since the macro growing in the rufugium would use up the nutrients the stuff in the tank would starve. Just keep pruning back the tank macro and let the macro in the refugium grow.
Moby

Hmmm, I have a small sump but no refugium as of yet. I'm not sure if I can fit much more in there. It's only 10 gallons.
I know I'm looking for the easy way out but won't something eat this stuff?

 

[bang guy]

Foxface could work.

 

[vt rules]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Foxface could work.

Can I put a FoxFace in my 55 though? I was considering a Yellow Tang which I know is pushing it as they grow but I need to do spmething!

 

[bang guy]

A Foxface could handle the 4' tank a lot easier than a Yellow Tang could. The Foxface is also a lot more likely to eat whatever Caulerpa species you have. I'm assuming you have a type of Caulerpa.

 

[vt rules]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
A Foxface could handle the 4' tank a lot easier than a Yellow Tang could. The Foxface is also a lot more likely to eat whatever Caulerpa species you have. I'm assuming you have a type of Caulerpa.

Really, I thought the FoxFace needed more room than the tang. I had never considered one.
Also, I've attached an older picture of the algae on the rock. I wish it looked that good now. It doesn't seem to look like any caulerpa that I've been able to find on the internet. The leaves are little round things.

 

[bang guy]

Caulerpa racemosa peltata
Foxface get larger than some of the smaller Tangs but they are not the open water swimmers that Tangs are.

 

[bang guy]

I wanted to add that this doesn't apply to all Rabbitfish, just Foxface.

 

[vt rules]

Bang, I think you've ID'ed the macro for me. That is good to know. I will look into getting a small FoxFace and then trading him in a few years from now when he gets too big for the 55 gallon.
Thanks for all the help!