Hair Algae problem

trav_shock

New member
For the past two months or so my tank has been infested with it. I have been pulling some of every few days or so but it keeps coming back. I have several turbo snails, one emerald crab, a few hermits, and a just bought a red lipped blenny. I bought the blenny because a store owner suggested one as an algae controller. I would like any suggestions on any algae controllers. I do not intend on getting any more fish though because I think I am pretty much at my max.
 
Before you look for algea controllers, make sure you've done all you can to reduce nutrient levels. Are you using RO water? What are your params? A spectrum shift in your bulbs could trigger an outbreak. What is the history of the tank?

I've noticed that my turbo snail chows down my hair algea like no tomorrow (if its short enough...thats the key).
 
My tank has been set up since late last year. Early this year I got a new coral life light fixture. I am going to check my chemical levels today. I do not have enough money right now for a RO-DI unit but I have been using a water purifier. Thanks for your reply.
 
My ammonia and nitrate levels appear to be slightly elevated. So I will be doing more water changes but I would still like any suggestions on how to get rid of it and keep it under control.
 
If you are introducing phosphates (from unpurified water) into your system, that will feed your HA. You said you were using a water purifier, but it probably isn't taking the phosphates out.

I'm not an expert, but another idea would be your bulbs. Some people report HA outbreaks when thier bulbs get old ~6-10 months and the spectrum shifts.

I would think about:
1.) Purigen or some other phosphate remover!!
2.) SKIM!
3.) Work toward a RO-DI unit, or get purified water from walmart (its RO-DI). At $.50 a gallon, its good for the short term, but bad for the long term.
4.) Think about a bulb change soon to very soon (might be a little premature in your case). Not sure about the coralife bulbs...maybe someone with experience can chime in??
5.) Careful not to overfeed.
6.) You can ramp the turbo snail population as long as there is food for them. They dont affect the bioload too much. Just make sure your HA is short enough for the turbos to eat it.
7.) Water changes can be helpful but remember that you're introducing phosphates with the new water (unless they have been removed via RO-DI).

reef-on!

EDIT: When you say slightly elevated on the ammonia...how much? This could indicate overfeeding and/or something just died. Unless you have macro or a good DSB, your elevated nitrates are just indicative of a needed waterchange. Sorry, i totally forgot to respond to your last post.
 
Thanks for your advice I will try to get a RO-DI unit as soon as I can. Any other replies will be greatly appreciated.
 
I try not to overfeed but that is a possibility. I alternate every other day between frozen brine shrimp cubes/phytoplankton and flake. I usually feed half a cube and I try to make sure all my animals get food. The ammonia level was .5 ppm and the nitrate level was between 5 and 10 ppm. I had a feather duster die, a sand sifting sea star, and a few snails but no fish recently.
 
I'm pretty sure a shift in my bulbs is what triggered my HA outbreak. (I'm using a coralife pc) I'm still in the process of recovering - got a new bulb and then reduced the photoperoid. It's making a difference, I still have some, but the turbos and emerald are working on getting rid of whats left. I'm still pulling, but not nearly as much as I was earlier. I think with the Coralife's you have to change out every six months or so... thats when I've heard they start to switch... and since my HA happened at about mo 7... I'm going to go with that being one of the causes.. hope that helps. :)
 
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