[patrick1234]

I am new to this forums and figured this would be the best place for this. i have a octopus in a 12 gallon eclipse with live rock and lace rock. on the lace rock i have star polyps and some zothans. the thing im running in to is even if i drop a snail in, the octopus is on it right away and now brown hair algae is growing on the star polyps and they dont want to open anymore. i have a soft spined urchin in there and the octopus does not mess with it but it never goes on the star polyps and he also is not doing a good job at keeping up with algae, any ideas at all on something that will eat the algae?

[Lowej82]

How long has your tank been setup?
Are you using tap or ro/di water?
Water parmeters? what are you testing for?
Lighting lengths?

Is it brown diatom from a still cycling tank? over feeding?

Try to get rid of the problem thats causing the algae issue instead of trying tofind something to eat it, IMO

[patrick1234]

How long has your tank been setup? 3 months
Are you using tap or ro/di water?tap that sets for about 2 weeks be for use
Water parmeters? what are you testing for? calcium, alkalinity, nitrite, nitrates, amonia, and high range pH, all test within parameters
Lighting lengths?8H

Is it brown diatom from a still cycling tank? the tank dose have good flow.
over feeding? he eats 2 to 3 snails a week

Try to get rid of the problem thats causing the algae issue instead of trying tofind something to eat it, IMO[/quote]

[Lowej82]

Probally from a few things. young tank still cycling orthe water.. I know that the chlorine and some other things will evap from water,,,,, My money would say not all the silicates and such. Try using ro/di water........ time will tell. Maybe pick up a silicate & phosphate test kit.

[patrick1234]

silicate & phosphate test kit.
ok ill have to try this and also Try using ro/di water

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by patrick1234

silicate & phosphate test kit.
ok ill have to try this and also Try using ro/di water

just remember when you make the switch it wont happen over night I probally changed over 100 gallons in my 29 untill i got rid of the brown diatom & red slime

[Lowej82]

Originally Posted by Lowej82

untill i got rid of the brown diatom & red slime

I know I will regret that............

[patrick1234]

Well it has been on going since day one with the octopus. He was in a 3 but moved him to the 12 for the hell of it. all that did was just make more crap I had to clean