Green Hair Algea...

buying snails or fish to eat the algae is only covering up the problem, not curing the problem.
hair algae is normally caused by phosphate levels being too high. snails will not lower phosphate levels. a good protein skimmer, frequent water changes and maybe some phosguard will.
the algae has to eat something. take away its food and it will go away.
 
These last couple of suggestions (relating to phosphate control) are great! I didn't comment so earlier, but I am a big proponent of using a phosban reactor and phosban (or rowaphos or phosar, etc, any GFO phosphate remover) to help control phosphate, especially in systems without macroalgae.

I'd advise steering clear of phosguard, however, which is made of Aluminum Oxide. The aluminum has been shown to leach into the water and cause problems with livestock. I think the approriate article is over on AdvancedAquarist.com.

The GFO (Grannulated Ferric Oxide) phosphate removers that I have listed above are much better choices.

And a phosban reactor is such a deliciously simple piece of equipment - nothing fancy, just a simple canister to put filter media inside of and push water through with a maxijet, etc.
 
That is why I say you needed the skimmer. The skimmer gets the gunk out, thus controlling phosphates and nitrates. The black goo is just algae food. When my skimmer is running I clean my glass a whole lot less often. I have had a mishap before and spilled the cup. The next day the glass is filthy. All it is is an algae bloom that took advantage of the food that was spilled in the water. My tank does the same when I feed phyto as well.
 
Nah, I am talking about other things in your water - copepods, phytoplankton, etc, all things that are pulled out with a skimmer....
 
Doesn't remove all such life - I am just trying to express that there are two sides of the issue.... In short, the skimmer is not required and has both positive and negative aspects. It can, of course, be a very helpful preventive water quality device.
 
Of course you can run a tank without a skimmer and it will work. However, you will be hard pressed to find more than a handful of big beautiful thriving tanks that have been up for several years or longer that aren't running some sort of skimmer. I haven't read a single expert that doesn't recommend running one. They won't necessarily oppose running without one, but most recommend running one. A skimmer's primary function is not to remove phosphates, it's dissolved organics that mechanical filtration can get and that biological filtration doesn't get to fast enough. As far as removing micro foods and other such things like essential minerals, you're replacing more than the skimmer is removing if you're feeding some kind of micro food, dosing additives or doing water changes on a weekly basis.

But you can run without one and be successful, I truly believe that the hobby has progressed and shown the benefits of a skimmer far outweighs not using one. And so it's use can be beneficial for your battle with HA, but it alone most likely won't solve the problem.

Dave
 
Last edited:
That is correct about the skimmer's primary job. By getting all of those things out of the water column it helps to keep the levels down. When Dory takes a dump it looks like a spray plane on a brush fire, that is phosphates. When the skimmer cleans it that helps keep the levels down.

Bunzo, water isn't required either but your fish will last a lot longer if you use some.
 
I wouldn't go as far as the water example and I wasn't trying to incite an argument. Tanks can in fact be run successfully without a skimmer, but my personal opinion is that they will do better with one.

Dave
 
djc1026 I don't think you started anything. A tank can be run without a skimmer but how good does a person want that tank to be?
It is kind of like buying a S-10 truck and then complaining because it doesn't pull your 30 foot travel trailer. Nothing is required but death and taxes, but if a person wants the correct performance they need the correct equipment.

It also depends on the amount of biological load that is on the tank. It works a lot better with a smaller load. Most people want one of every fish that they run across so it takes a lot more to keep up. Tie a boat on the back of the travel trailer and the S-10 will really scream for help.
I guess it just depends on how literal you want to interpret the word "required"
 
Well, I only put two fish in it (Damsel and small yellow wrasse), a few snails/crabs (less the 8 total), and right now I think there's 5 small corals. Guess I didn't figure that would be to much of a bio load with the 25 lbs rock and 2in sand. If I was going to try and put in more, then I can definitly see a protein skimmer. Guess since I've done it before I was hoping to do it again, but that was a much more mature tank.
 
Honestly, do we have to get so argumentative?

And seriously, I DO know of at least one expert that suggest running without a skimmer is very reasonable - try Eric Borneman. But I am tired of debating with myself - just go read more here from the expert.

http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic26392-9-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic57843-9-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic53426-9-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic46927-9-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic44344-9-1.aspx

Just a few good threads on the topic. Enjoy - great reads!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9057437#post9057437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by captbunzo
Honestly, do we have to get so argumentative?
Click to expand...
A couple clarifications. First, that comment was directed toward the comments of rdonchann, which I feel were/are getting a little extra attacking.

I also want to clarify that my interest here is to have an opinion discussion where we actually honestly look over both sides and leave assumptions and other such prejudice aside. I mean, sometimes it is possible to get so set into a set of ideas (like skimmers = requiredish) that we don't see the big picture or don't move on to new ideas.

The purpose of my comments and discussions here have really been to play devil's advocate, to keep us really thinking about our ideas and to not get set.

Also, I do apologize if sometimes I sound close minded or set in my ways - that is NOT my intention, though I suspect I really am that way sometimes, especially when I do not realize it.
 
Last edited:
I don't believe I attacked anybody. I did give some illustrations to prove my way of thinking. I illustrated as to why I feel this way. I believe it was somebody else who jumped in with "Ah come on. A skimmer is not required"

It is pretty obvious you were shooting down the skimmer idea. What I did was explain my way of thinking as to "WHY" I believe a person needs a skimmer.
I told the pros, you were sure to point out the cons. End of story.
If the above links had been posted first and I came along and said "Ah come on. This guy doesn't know what he is talking about" and then proceeded to tell why he did not know what he was talking about, you would of tried to prove your point that is all that went on here as far as I can see.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9047391#post9047391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by captbunzo
I'd improve your flow. That powerhead is practically worthless as it is providing laminar flow that contributes little to the overall health of the tank. Go get yourself one of these:

SEIO m620 - $35 on DrsFosterSmith.com - 620 GPH
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12074&N=2004+113040

Hydor Koralia 2 - $35 on DrsFosterSmith.com - 600 GPH
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15955&inm=1&N=2004+22788+2035

Tunze Nano-Stream 6025 - $62 on PremiumAquatics.com - 660 GPH
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=T6025.000&Category_Code=Tunze_pumps

The difference in a tank between Laminar and Diffuse flow is huge and very important.
Click to expand...

Are you recommending this much power for a 25 gallon? Or are you recommending this for the 90? It seems turning over the tank every 2 minutes would be like Niagra Falls. :eek1:

Also, since this is a 25 gallon why not run some activated carbon to help with the phospates if you don't have money for the skimmer right now.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9066862#post9066862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwcok
Are you recommending this much power for a 25 gallon? Or are you recommending this for the 90? It seems turning over the tank every 2 minutes would be like Niagra Falls. :eek1:
Click to expand...
Ahhhh - in actuality, turning the water over once every 2 minutes is really just a gentle current on an ocean reef. And if this quantity of GPH of flow is applied with diffused, stream style pumps, the result will be a much healthier reef.

Also, since this is a 25 gallon why not run some activated carbon to help with the phospates if you don't have money for the skimmer right now.
Click to expand...
Excellent suggestion. Although carbon won't necessarily help with phosphate near as much as something like Phosban, it is a good stand-in for running a skimmer, when budget is limited. I think it is a good practice in general, but that's just me. :)
 
I dont have a SKIMMER on either of my tanks..but ill tell ya i have learned a bout hair alge..if i have any at all an fish dont take care of it an i feed phyto in my sump it grows like crazy..there for im not feeding it nearly as much.. an yesterday i took a tooth brush to it a scrubbed it off..ill keep ya posted on the results.. an im by ni means an expert, just sharing my experiences..


SCOTT
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

griss
Ellisville Petco
Replies
0
Views
399
griss
griss
D
New- skimmer question
Replies
3
Views
1K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
BigEZ77
How Many Days To Run UV When Adding A New Fish?
Replies
3
Views
483
leebca
L
M
Refugium for 20 gallon
Replies
7
Views
2K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
Timfish
More "Old" Reef Animals
Replies
5
Views
2K
Timfish
Timfish
Back
Top