A big spot on my puffer (and it's not a spotted puffer!)

jassz · #1 01-15-2010, 04:13 AM

I don't get it... if the algae takes nitrate and phosphate out of the water, shouldn't I leave it? That's a good thing, isn't it?

Just this week I have started to see a bit on the rocks too. I've had some issues with 'bald rocks' on one side of the tank, so I thought it might be a good thing, but I don't actually like the look of it there. And it's spreading so fast. I had some trouble with ick some time back (and no luck quarantining) so I treated the whole tank. I was told nothing would grow again, but it's not entirely true. I do get growth on one side of the tank, like the red stuff you can see in the first picture as well as some green. It seems to grow and die a lot, but there's always some there. But the other side of the tank... not so much. Do you think it would help to change the rocks?

What about the anemone? It's not that clear, but here is a picture of one of hte big ones. Is it a bad thing?? For the fish I mean?

hillegom · #2 01-15-2010, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jassz

I don't get it... if the algae takes nitrate and phosphate out of the water, shouldn't I leave it? That's a good thing, isn't it?

Yes it is a good thing. But if the algae dies, it will just release all the nutrients it absorbed . Best to take it out and let new algae grow.
A lot of people put chaeto in their sump, and harvest that, for the same reason.

The anemone looks suspiciously like a majano pest anemone. But not 100% sure

jassz · #3 01-15-2010, 04:28 AM

So why is it a concern that this type of algae die and release PO4 and Nitrate, but not other types of algae? What makes some good to have and not others? And why would I have to put chaeto in the sump? Why couldn't it go in the tank (I don't have a light in my sump, and hte skimmer and sump take up 2 sections and the third is where the water drains back down so it's like constantly running water).

Thanks for all this information, BTW. I really want to understand what I'm doing.

hillegom · #4 01-15-2010, 04:55 AM

Anything that dies in you tank will release potassium and nitrate and other chemicals as well, ammonia only being one. When you add food, your fish digest it and release wastes.
Ever wonder why your grass gets greener after your neighbours dog, uses your lawn as toilet?
In your aquarium, you want to get rid of these wastes. Water changes help. As well, nutrient export helps a lot too. One way is to put a light above your sump and grow cheato. Put the light on a reverse cycle of your display tank and that will also help stop fluctuating PH Between night and day.
You can put the cheato in the DT as well, but to me that is unsightly, so it goes into the sump.
Seeing as you have algae on your back wall, it is a simple thing, when you do water changes, to syphon the algea off the back wall. It will grow back, but you will be doing an export of nutrients.
JMO

jassz · #5 02-09-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

The anemone looks suspiciously like a majano pest anemone. But not 100% sure

Besides being a pest, is this anemone harmful? I am getting quite a 'crop' of this stuff growing. Some are kind of pretty (pinks, white and a few slightly blue), but after Olivander got stung I worry about it bothering the fish. The eel rubs right against them without any problems, but I'm not sure about the others. I don't want my trigger fish to have no where to park himself at night (not sure if the anemone bother him, but he seems to take more care in tucking in for beddy bye when I turn the light out).

BTW, the spot disappeared off the puffer in a few days.