Algae control

[Cher]

Are there any algae eating creatures that people have successfully kept with a "carribean dwarf " (best description) octopus.Tank has some soft coral, red algae and live rock. What about a nudibranch? Also have small clams in the live sand, will the octopus hunt for them?

 

[Nancy]

Hi, and welcome to TONMO.com

I would think larger snails might survive, at least some of them.

I don't know this species so well, but the baby bimacs are raised on small clams, so it's at least a possiblity that they'll be eaten.

Nancy

 

[Cher]

Thanks Nancy, I'll try the snails. Any ideas on a nudibranch?

 

[joel_ang]

I don't know of nudibranches feeding on algae, only thet some eat other nudibranchs and hydroids. Anyone else have an idea if they feed on algae?

 

[neptune]

Yes, nudibranch do in fact eat algae.

Not sure on the ceph reaction to them though yet.

The main concern, for your corals atleast, is what does the nudibranch eat once the algae has been controlled.

What type of red algae is it and can elbow gease do the trick?

 

[Cher]

Elbow grease and a magnet cleaner are fine for the glass but preventing the coraline algae on the live rock from being taken over by green and brown scum algae is what I am trying to avoid.

I love cats; but can never eat a whole one!

 

[neptune]

What about tiny rock starfish? They would not harm your corals, and as far as I can tell would not be a food source for your octopus.

The nudibrach may work, just through all my reef experience these liitle guys can reck havoc on your corals.

What size is your tank?

 

[Colin]

algae is not always a problem with ceph tanks as we normally always use ro water... do regular water changes... and dont have high powered reef lights on them... its also normally easier to remove uneaten octopus than fish food.

you could try nudibranchs but you are going to have to pioneer that, or how about an urchin or two.. may eat corraline though

 

[joel_ang]

Starfish do not eat algae, they eat clams, scallops and quite a bit of other stuff.

 

[Colin]

i think that algae makes up a large part of a Linckia's diet???