crazy hair algae

[crazyk909]

Ok so this green hair algae is out of control in my 55 gal reef tank!! I have a good supply of hermits(16) astrea snails, and other algae eating critters and none of them seem to be helping the algae problem. Any suggestions??

 

[dchao]

How long have you had GHA? GHA grow like weed and will eventually use up all the nutrient it needs and starts to die-off after that. Just keep removing it by hand, sihpon it out of the water, get 1 or 2 turbo snails, GHA dhould disappear in a month.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Well first could you give some water specs. ecspecially your p04. What type of water do you use? If there is p04 in your water then that is just feeding the algae. Do you have a skimmer? How many water changes do you do a month?. How many times do you feed? Try some mexican turbos, they're big and are very hepfull in eating it. Im sorry to be asking so many questions but there could be so many different reasons why you are having this outbreak. Ohh one more thing how long has the tank been up and running?

 

[crazyk909]

I've just recently started having the problem but it is outta control. thanks for the advice dchao

 

[crazyk909]

AquaReeferMan
The tank has been up and running for about one year now, and i just recently started having this problem. I am running a prizm skimmer and coral life uv sterilizer and yeah i havent used RO water but i heard that might help

 

[dchao]

Once you have GHA bloom in your tank, PO4 is most likely to be zero. These GHA will just soak up all the PO4.

PO4 does not just enter the tank through your water, fish food has plenty of PO4 too. RO will help but it does not guarantee no GHA in the future.

Even if you don't have a refugium, as long as you keep a few turbo snails, the GHA will absorb PO4, and as soon as it starts to grow, the snails will come and chew it away. This is how the Eco system works.

So my advice is don't worry too much about hair algae, it's part of your system, and it's very good at removing nutrients. Just don't let it grow too wild, let the turbo snails keep the GHA in check.

 

[PatMayo]

crazyk909

Sounds to me like you have an nutrient export issue. If your skimmer is working properly and you don't overfeed, I wouldn't think you would have a hair algae problem. Based on the fact that the problem just appeared after the tank has been up a year it seems likely that your nutrients are building up to a level that is not healthy. I would look hard at your skimmer production, you feeding and tank cleaning habits. Many of these things can influence your continued success.

RO/DI water will make a very big difference. I would get it and use it posthaste. This has been my experience with my 46 and now the 90 I just set up.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Bagz]

whats up keelan its Andrew lol....

 

[DakDarie]

^_^
__________________
Create real estate website real estate content management system (CMS).

 

[mandktod]

When was the last time you changed your light bulbs? I know I have waited too long to get new bulbs when the GHA starts growing, then it takes several weeks to get it back out after changing the bulbs. At first I thought it was just the whites that caused it but when the actinics get weak they are just as bad apparently. BTW I run 4-65w PC's.

 

[crazyk909]

thanks for all your help i appreciate it. yeah i havent changed the bulbs since summer time, is that too long ago??

 

[dchao]

Actinic lights should be changed every 6 month, otherwise, the spectrum will start to shift (to warmer light) and unwanted algae growth is stimulated. After you change the bulb, these algae will go away.