Hair algae outbreak

[saltyj]

Hey all, I have a slight hair algae break out. My lights are 5-6 mo old so that is not the issue. I have replaced the normal filters in my RO in the last 5-6 mo, but realized that the RO membrane was almost 3 yrs old, is this my problem. If so I have already ordered a new one and it will be here soon. My ? is do I just do a series of water changes and it will go away or do I have to eradicate the situation first, and if so is there a natural predator of it or do I use chemicals.

thanks

 

[cschweitzer]

snails, hermits, and all those little critters eat it up. There are a thousand different reasons it could be happening. I still get it bad on just one rock. Check PO4, nitrates, nitrites. How old are the lights? Do you have a TDS meter for your RODI system? What is it reading(should be at 0). They sell dual inline TDS meters(very important tool and extremely easy to use) at SITC. Always let a RODI unit run until it pushes out 0 ppm, or if no TDS meter, run it for a few minutes(maybe 5 or so) before using it for water changes or top-offs. This is to let the backed up additives push out of the water. Do not get me wrong, this is usually good water and could be used to fill up a couple gallons of drinking water to refrigerate. Just not good for fish and corals breathing in flourine, chlorine, etc.

 

[cschweitzer]

Pull it out by hand if it gets too close to corals as it can choke them out.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Cortez Mexican red legs, Mexican Turbo Snails. Use a baster or a small powerhead to blow off the rock. Many times detritius builds up there and is feeding the algae. Try to do that just before a water change or put a good quality filter pad in the sump to pull out the debris that comes out of/off the rocks. Clean the filter pad often in the first week. My Sailfin tang loves the stuff, so that might be an option as well. GL, Marcye

 

[solarwrx]

i had the same issues it was a nightmare, the lighting was the problem for me i ended up taking all the live rock out and scrubbing one by one with a brush, and added metal halide bulbs and a lots of cleaner crabs and snails

 

[saltyj]

I have snails and hermits and they don't even touch it. I am going to do a good size water change monday when the new filter gets here and maybe get a sailfin tang to munch on it. I have a fox face but he doesn't eat it either. Thanks all, any other suggestions would be great.

 

[lusenut2]

I had a problem with it about 4 months ago. All I did was cut back on the lighting for a little while and I did water changes every week, and I bought a bunch of snails and hermit crabs. I havent had a problem since.