Green flowing hair-like 'algae"? everywhere

[Alexa&Walt]

Good Morning everyone.

We've got a 65gal FOLR aquarium-that's been established for almost two years.

Over the last month, a green hairlike algae began to develop and has really taken over. Along the back glass, it's grown to a length of 2-3" and literally 'flows' like hair in the current. It's actually quite beautiful, but I'm uncertain if it's healthy.

Are we to disgregard it or remove it. If removal is required, how do we do so? We've got snails, and several fish but nothing seems to want to eat it.

Thanks for responding. Please cc your response to our e-mail: waltmattil@charter.net

Walt & Alexa

 

[jtma508]

We had that when we first setup our tank. We got a yellow tang and it was gone in less than 24hrs.

 

[crvz]

If you have hair algae, while not necessarily harmful, it can be quite the pest. I'd recommend starting with this article.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php

 

[Sk8r]

You've got excess phosphate in your system: a test won't show it, because it's bound in algae, but you're getting it either from your water source or your fishfood, and it's getting bad, which isn't good for fishes. I'd recommend a fuge, or a phosban reactor, and turning the lights out for 3 days at a time (only once a month) to let some of it die back: the fuge/reactor can't grab the phosphate FROM the algae, can only catch what's released by dying or eaten algae.
Snails and such can't eat the long stuff: only short. There's a danger of a clog causing a flood if it gets into your system.

One fish that would fit your tank that would eat it would be a small bristletooth tang species like the tomini (flame-fin) tang.

Are you using ro/di water? Tap water is notorious for this, and water quality changes without notice.

 

[Alexa&Walt]

More information

More information

Thanks for the replies.

First, we do use a RO/DI system and do 20% water changes every 14 days.

We have a powder blue tang but he doesn't seem interested in eating the algae.

Finally, the food may be the source. I purchased a different food about two months ago and that's when we began to see it. I'm back on our new food now so we'll see how that works...and i'll keep the lights off as recommended.

Walt

 

[joeychitwood]

Some Lawnmower Blennies will eat hair algae. Others seem to eat only prepared foods.

If the rocks are easily accessible, try removing them one at a time and scrubbing them with a steel brush. I've dealt with bad hair algae outbreaks in the past, and they can be very difficult to get under control.

There are some who recommend raising the magnesium level in the tank to kill the algae. Do a search and read the various threads to decide of it's something you wish to try. If I ever get another outbreak, I personally will try the magnesium route.

 

[sirjohn]

As Sk8r said, a Tomini tang (pictured in my avatar) will graze on it all day. Pull out as much as you can, leaving stumps of the the stuff, and the tomini and snails will graze on what's left.

However, I see you already have a powder blue in your tank and you shouldn't add any more (by the way, the powder blue will eventually outgrow your 65g).

 

[Chibils]

IMO, you ought to remove the powder blue. They're aggressive, delicate, and will very quickly outgrow your 65 (if he hasn't already). IME, Ctenochaetus tangs generally prefer microalgaes as hair and feather algaes tend to get caught in their teeth. If it's hair algae, you're lucky. If it's Bryopsis (generally grows longer and in dense clumps, sometimes with feathery fronds), then you're unlucky. Nothing likes the junk, really, as it's toxic to a lot of stuff.

 

[Saltz Creep]

Re: Green flowing hair-like 'algae"? everywhere

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13211165#post13211165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alexa&Walt
Over the last month, a green hairlike algae began to develop and has really taken over. It's actually quite beautiful...
Walt & Alexa

Well OK then :worried:

 

[crvz]

Right, Saltz Creep, if you like it just embrace it. Easiest way to solve the problem.