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Question: Are supplements that contain yeast a good way to feed corals? Im concerned the yeast would encourage algae growth

Used in moderation and with adequate skimming you should be able to adjust the level or amount you add so that no side effects occur. Bacterial blooms may occur as a result of adding the yeast but are usually short lived, especially if you adjust the amount you add.

Close observation of what happens in the tank is therefore necessary. If you find that your water clouds for too long, you may need to lower the amount you add. Of course not all corals benefit from this type of feeding. Many do and the method appears to be gaining popularity.

The answer is yes it is a good way to feed and yes you need to be careful with quantities as it is easy to put in too much and end up with algae and/or bacterial blooms.

However the proof is in the pudding as is said, use a certain amount, and if you find that you see algae appear, start diminishing the quantity you add.

In respect to yeast there is another benefit, it helps the reduction of nitrates by promoting the proliferation of bacterial growth and the reduction of nitrates as I have indicated a number of times on our mailing lists and in articles on our web site. In that case I have recommended the use of Brewer's yeast. AT

Question: Does Vital Gold have enough strontium or should more be added? Not really an ALGAE question

It is fine to ask the question though tough. More info for those who are here and for those who will read the logs afterwards.

Yes it has for tanks that have mostly what we would call an average load but, as soon as you go towards a high load then you will need to supplement with more Strontium, either in the form of a strontium additive or by using our KSM (see our web site SW library for details on this product).

The higher the load the more this becomes necessary. Note that strontium levels can be monitored and tested and adjusted to match natural seawater levels.

KSM is used to add not only strontium but a large number of other elements as well, as explained in the document on our web site in the SW library under Product related articles. It has been mentioned many a time by hobbyists who use it that they have not had any problems with RTN (rapid tissue necrosis). I do not have any scientific explanation for this but, for sure, a lot of anecdotal one from messages from hobyists who report this fact.

Question: Are there any good references for identifying macro algaes?

Yes, sure there are.

The books by Ann Harbor Press by Dr Randolph Taylor are used in just about every lab that deals with algae and are the standards in phycology. Those who wish the exact titles and details can email me and I will be glad to send them more info on good books dealing with all categories of algae. AT

Question: What should be the first steps involved in trying to elimate the red slime/green/black and hair algae?

What I would do first is siphon out as much as you can, and then perform a sizeable water change making sure that the water you add is of the same water quality parameters as the water in the tank.

Then I would check the DO (dissolved oxygen) and the BOD (Biological oxygen demand) and see if you have a high amount of DOC (dissolved organic carbon) level.

IF this is the case I would consider using a strong oxidizer to lower DOC, or continue to use water changes but what you do should of course not end there.

You need to find out why they started to grow to begin with, and where the nutrients they thrive on are coming from. As you lower the nutrient level, more of them die off, and you siphon out more of them out of the tank, continue doing so either with water changes or a combination of water changes and the use of an oxidizer.

Keep siphoning what you can siphon out, and keep using the oxidizer to reduce DOC.

Soon you will be down to a level where the algae do not grow again and you have solved the existing problem.

Next, you will need to figure out why the DOC was high in the first place and remedy that situation.

Question: Micro algae is going to be present in any system, where do you personally draw the line as to being a nuisance

When it starts to get in the way of what I try to achieve in the tank that is keep the corals healthy and growing.

When I see algae in areas that may be a threat to a coral, then I know that intervention is a must.

I could use hermit crabs and snails if the problem is small and keep things under control in that manner. Having some blue legged hermits in your tank is not a bad idea anyway since they will control small amounts of algal growth. Do not put too many, as when the food supply runs out, they will start to die.

Some of the red legged varieties can be used as well. Careful though as there are types that become rather aggressive when the algae supply runs out. They may attack your snails and other small animals and may even attack each other. The Mexican Red Leg is famous for doing this. AT

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