southern wolf
Member
Didn't I read somewhere that Tangs like to feed on algae? I know the tang police would be screaming if I put one in a 4 foot tank... but is there some other species that would help keep it trimmed back without decimating it?
I hope I can swim.... (First venture into Saltwater 29g build)
- Thread starter southern wolf
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476566
Didn't I read somewhere that Tangs like to feed on algae? I know the tang police would be screaming if I put one in a 4 foot tank... but is there some other species that would help keep it trimmed back without decimating it?
Here's a good start.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/391453/tangs-for-4ft-tanks
I like yellow tangs and chocolate tangs. There's also an assortment of others that we have all agreed upon that would be semi-suitable for four foot tanks.
Now, as far as keeping it trimmed without decimating it ... I'm not sure. It might be a species thing or it might be an individual fish thing - as in they prefer algae sheets a little more than actual algae. (Which, if a tang has a choice between imitation or the real deal - you know what they are going to pick.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476566
Didn't I read somewhere that Tangs like to feed on algae? I know the tang police would be screaming if I put one in a 4 foot tank... but is there some other species that would help keep it trimmed back without decimating it?
Here's a good start.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/391453/tangs-for-4ft-tanks
I like yellow tangs and chocolate tangs. There's also an assortment of others that we have all agreed upon that would be semi-suitable for four foot tanks.
Now, as far as keeping it trimmed without decimating it ... I'm not sure. It might be a species thing or it might be an individual fish thing - as in they prefer algae sheets a little more than actual algae. (Which, if a tang has a choice between imitation or the real deal - you know what they are going to pick.
southern wolf
Member
Is there any other smallish fish that likes to nibble on the algae?
southern wolf
Member
Ok... ya'll over look the noob for a minute.
I just saw my shrimp eat.... and that was pretty cool.
I just saw my shrimp eat.... and that was pretty cool.
southern wolf
Member
Do you think it would eat the macro algae that is more plant like in nature?
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476609
Do you think it would eat the macro algae that is more plant like in nature?
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
fish will eat the macros.
funny I didn't do water changes in any of my tanks. had unmeasureable nitrates and phosphates as well. My 55g ran for 8 years with fish and easy type corals.
I did diy 2 part to keep calcium, alk, magnesium in line. but those (well anything else for that matter) are never maintained through water changes alone.
I did notice the tank were much more forgiving of my screw ups after I added macros and the fish were much healthier as well.
just my .02
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476609
Do you think it would eat the macro algae that is more plant like in nature?
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
fish will eat the macros.
funny I didn't do water changes in any of my tanks. had unmeasureable nitrates and phosphates as well. My 55g ran for 8 years with fish and easy type corals.
I did diy 2 part to keep calcium, alk, magnesium in line. but those (well anything else for that matter) are never maintained through water changes alone.
I did notice the tank were much more forgiving of my screw ups after I added macros and the fish were much healthier as well.
just my .02
gemmy
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476609
Do you think it would eat the macro algae that is more plant like in nature?
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
Yes, they would eat more of the plant like macros. Calcareous algae like mermaid fans would be less likely to be munched on.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476609
Do you think it would eat the macro algae that is more plant like in nature?
It would be great to have a reasonably self sustaining tank. I know I'm still going to have to feed and do water changes, but the macros should pull out some of the 'trates and thus reducing the water changes needed.
Yes, they would eat more of the plant like macros. Calcareous algae like mermaid fans would be less likely to be munched on.
southern wolf
Member
Hmmmm I see a little ecosystem forming in my mind. And the fact that most folks don't do it makes it that much sweeter. I may have to try it and if I dont succeed.. then at least I tried.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476632
Hmmmm I see a little ecosystem forming in my mind. And the fact that most folks don't do it makes it that much sweeter. I may have to try it and if I dont succeed.. then at least I tried.
IMHO actually most successful tanks do do it.
Afterall corraline algae on live rocks is part of the eco system.
just a thought.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476632
Hmmmm I see a little ecosystem forming in my mind. And the fact that most folks don't do it makes it that much sweeter. I may have to try it and if I dont succeed.. then at least I tried.
IMHO actually most successful tanks do do it.
Afterall corraline algae on live rocks is part of the eco system.
just a thought.
southern wolf
Member
Yeah... but most folks do it in a seperate fuge. I'm looking at the all in one approach. It would be easier and nicer with a larger tank... but I'm using what I have on hand. A new tank is not in the budget.
flower
Well-Known Member
Caulerpa prolifera, It looks like turtlegrass and has a tougher blade than the other caulerpas, and the red macros all look awesome... The worse thing would be you added fresh veggies instead of dried sheets for the fish to eat.
...I have to harvest my caulerpa...pay the shipping and I will send you some to try out.
...I have to harvest my caulerpa...pay the shipping and I will send you some to try out.
southern wolf
Member
PM sent
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476637
Yeah... but most folks do it in a seperate fuge. I'm looking at the all in one approach. It would be easier and nicer with a larger tank... but I'm using what I have on hand. A new tank is not in the budget.
FWIW the single bestest and least expensive thing I did on my old 55g was just cram in an egg crate 3" in front of the back glass. Then added a couple of 2 tube utility lights behind the tank pointing forward. What all that formed was a refugium in the back 3" of the tank with rocks, fish, corals in front.
So it can still be inexpensive and an all in one approach.
nitrates dropped from 60+ppm to unmeasureable levels in three weeks. my tangs were constantly picking on the macros that poked through as well.
Just a thought.
Worth .02 at most.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/160#post_3476637
Yeah... but most folks do it in a seperate fuge. I'm looking at the all in one approach. It would be easier and nicer with a larger tank... but I'm using what I have on hand. A new tank is not in the budget.
FWIW the single bestest and least expensive thing I did on my old 55g was just cram in an egg crate 3" in front of the back glass. Then added a couple of 2 tube utility lights behind the tank pointing forward. What all that formed was a refugium in the back 3" of the tank with rocks, fish, corals in front.
So it can still be inexpensive and an all in one approach.
nitrates dropped from 60+ppm to unmeasureable levels in three weeks. my tangs were constantly picking on the macros that poked through as well.
Just a thought.
Worth .02 at most.
southern wolf
Member
Thanks for the tip
southern wolf
Member
Need some knowledge from some experienced keepers.
I am thinking I want a crab in my tank. I would prefer something that is reef safe as one day I'll prolly add some corals. I also don't want a hermit crab. You just see the front legs on them.
What are my options? Right now I have a 29g and eventually I will probably bump that up to my 52g.
I am thinking I want a crab in my tank. I would prefer something that is reef safe as one day I'll prolly add some corals. I also don't want a hermit crab. You just see the front legs on them.
What are my options? Right now I have a 29g and eventually I will probably bump that up to my 52g.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Pretty much all crabs are going to be solitary and hide that are reef safe...
I would get some different colored mythrax crabs to start off... one of each.
decorator crabs are neat.
I would get some different colored mythrax crabs to start off... one of each.
decorator crabs are neat.
southern wolf
Member
I decided to check my parameters today and now I cant wait for the next paycheck so I can get another critter.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - Somewhere between 0 and 5.0
PH - around 8.2
I also hope to get something natural to work on my Nitrates here shortly so those should come down as well.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - Somewhere between 0 and 5.0
PH - around 8.2
I also hope to get something natural to work on my Nitrates here shortly so those should come down as well.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
As in macroalgaes?