Hair Algae Issues!!!!

[Xler8n]

Ive had my tank for about two years and have NEVER had a problem with hair algae. Its not a huge problem but i dont like the sight of it. Im not using an RO/DI yet so that could be a factor as i also have cyano growing on my sand bed. I siphon it out every two weeks when i do a water change. On the top of my tank i have a sunpod 150 Watt X 2 in the middle and on the back i have a PC fixture with 2 65 watt ultra actinics. It only seems to be growing on the rocks under the actinics. Also i looked in my overflow cuz i have a reef ready tank and its growing in the openings where the water flows into the overflow. Is this a problem?? I mean should i scarpe it off to get rid of it cuz maybe its restricting water flow into the overflow? Please help cuz i hate hair algae. I would like to get rid of it without getting a type of fish that eats it before it gets real bad. Also i do not have any sort of clean up crew. Only 2 red leg hermits that i got for free. Could high phosphates be causing this? I am going to test my phosphates at my LFS tomarrow to see what my levels are... Ok tested my levels and the phophates in my TAP water are 2.0ppm and the Phosphates in my tank are 0.5ppm

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

well .5ppm phosphates is definately going to be part of the problem.

i'd also suggest investing in a clean up crew, 2 hermits is not going to cut it. i'd buy a variety of snails and a couple cucumbers,2 or 3 emerald crabs

 

[birch03]

What is your waterflow like in your aquarium? The algae could mainly be under the actintics because they are probably on longer then the 10K so that would be why you would see it there more then anywhere else. As for the overflow box I would make sure your slots are kept clean so you have proper flow over the overflo. I would also invest in a decent cleanup crew check out www.reefcleaners.org and also you can get a nice small RODI unit from www.bulkreefsupply.com for a fair price as well. What salt mix are you using as well?

 

[Pohono]

if you are using water with 2ppm phosphate you are doomed I think.....have you tested the tap water before? Maybe city changed something up......spring runoff bringing high phosphate water? If you don't have a local store to buy water from or one of those Glacier brand water dispensers for 5 gallon jugs, check out Bulk Reef Supply or some other Reef Central sponsor and get a RO unit headed your way.

 

[Xler8n]

Yes i will most likely get a unit from bulkreefsupply.com or filterguys.biz but im leaning more towards bulkreefsupply. I need to get a trash can on wheels to store my water also so im looking at almost $300. I need to get 2 more things maybe three and im done for a while which would be

1) 75GPD RO/DI "PLUS" from bulkreefsupply with float valve and tube cutter - $230.64..... and trash can on wheels from HD for $75

2) Octopus Extreme 160 - $284.95 OR
MSX 160 - $284.39 OR
MSX 200 - $313.26
( I have BAK Pak 2 right now with mods and seems to be doing well right now pulling out a full cup of skimmate every 2 days)

3) Phosban Reactor - $35.00 form LFS

I am debating on weather or not i should build my sump (30 gallon tank) and buy my new skimmer for it or buy the RO/DI and trash can first.

What type of cleanup crew do u guys recommend?? And how many?? I want to stay away from turbo snails though cuz ive heard they knock stuff over, slime the glass and fioul the water when they get turned over and die.

 

[JNye]

i would buy the ro/di first

 

[jasonkola]

I would also buy some gfo from bulk reef supply while you are there. Put that in your phosban reactor and phosphate problem solved. It seems like I got a better price than that for my Ro/Di unit. I will have to check and see if it is still cheaper.

 

[jasonkola]

Here is where I got my ro/di. The typhoon III dose not come with the float valve but includes a tds meter for $189 and it comes in 75 or 100 gpd. the extreem typhoon III puts out 150 gpd and has some nice bells and whistles like a tds alarm and duel inline tds gauges for only a little more than that one you were looking at from bulk reef. either one would be a better choice in my opinion.
http://www.airwaterice.com/c=c5rs2I82S43yLjWC5tEQ3gZMh/category/1/

 

[Xler8n]

That unit includes a float valve, tube cutter and shipping costs

 

[jasonkola]

I am not sure why you would need a tube cutter but you can get a float valve for 12 bucks. http://www.airwaterice.com/product/FV-14MA252/Float_Valve.html

 

[birch03]

Before going out and getn a cleanup crew go and get your phosphate problems taken care of first. So what I would do is get a good RO DI unit and a GFO reactor.

 

[kretzkiller]

+1

 

[Xler8n]

Thats what im probly gonna do... Thx guys. Im gonna buy the RO/DI first and then the phosban when i build my new sump and get the skimmer