How to grow algea with containment

[sticky]

Does anyone have tips on how to grow algea in your tank under a controled means? I have things in my main tank that depend on Algea, and they have wiped my tank of all Algea, so .. how do I grow more?

[perpetual98]

People typically grow algae in their refugium. I've got a few refugiums that are cheato producing machines. I end up tossing the stuff unless people need some. One of my fuges is lit by a Jali PC light and another is lit by a really old 96W powerquad and the third is lit by a 29W screw in PC bulb that is on 24/7 and is around 2800K.

[sticky]

I read the eat red/green algea, seasweed, but would they eat cheato as well? I am trying to find in depth information on the sea hare, but they don't go into depth on diets.

[sticky]

I found the answer, buy frozen algea I think I will give that a try, but in the matter of 3 days the sea hare cleaned out my tank of hair algea. I had quite a bit to, some of the rocks were covered with it, and the sand bed was starting to look like I would need my lawnmower to clean it up.

[perpetual98]

Where did you get a sea hare? I've been looking for one forever but I hate the thought of paying a next day air fee to get one.

I think that you can also used blanched lettuce, but I'm not terribly sure about that.

[sticky]

A LFS had 2 of them in their tank. They had little algea and sold him to me at a good price since. They said they had another one somewhere, but they couldn't find him in the tank while I was there.

He was worth every cent he will climb over everything and eat any algea he can get to.

I read up on them and know that they can "ink" like that of a squid, but so far everything I read about them says they are not harmful, just a distasteful ink.

I have a sea cucumber, but he stays in his little area around a rock and rarely moves out so I was in need of a grazer, if you have a good supply of algea I would recommend getting one.

[perpetual98]

Oh, I've got plenty of algae. LOL

What some of us local people were going to do was just rotate the sea hare between us so that once it cleaned a tank out, we wouldn't have to worry about it not getting enough to eat. My LFS was going to order me one, but they never did, so maybe I should try another LFS.

Eric

[davejnz]

Eric,let me know if you find one.I hear they will actually eat Byropsis.

[Whoyah]

I bet a sea hare would also eat Nori. Nori is dried seaweed that they use to wrap sushi in. I buy it at the local big chain grocery store for like $4 for a considerable amout. I use a clip to hold it place. My tang, LMB and snails all dig it.

[perpetual98]

I think I've got a source that's semi local (meaning UPS ground next day delivery instead of UPS Red) that's got a few sea hares I think. He's going to get back to me and I'm hoping to get hooked up next week.