Hair Algae problem

[Charlie's Angel]

I just put up a 375 6 weeks ago and have a huge hair algae outbreak. My refugium is 150. Both the refugium and display tank are getting over run with the algae. Half the live rock was moved into the new tank from older smaller tanks and the other half is new. Here is what is in the tank now, most is there to help the algae.

30 snails
1 large sea slug
1 urchin
6 sally light foot
5 hermit crabs
1 scribbled rabbit
1 lawnmower blenny
1 naso tang
1 kole tang
1 purple tang
1 convict tang
1 sixline
1 fairy wrasse
1 royal gramma
2 clowns

All water parameters are great and I did a 70 gallon water change this weekend. I am using a kold-sterile system to filter the water. Never had a problem in my smaller tanks before. My halides are only on for 5 hours a day. What kind of clean up crew do I need. Seems like I might need 300-400 hermit crabs (mostly blue legged)? Is this too much? What else can I do? Help.

 

[weaver5]

I had a problem and the only way I got rid of it was water changes every week ( about 20 %) ran a phos guard and dosed with B IONIC. Also added a few emerald crabs.Hope this helps....Scott

 

[frenchie]

do you got chaeto in your refugium with a light to help absorb phosphate or nitrates that may be causing outbreak. I know you said everything test good but phosphate will hardly show cause algae is absorbing it. add a couple of sea hares, hermit crabs will help definetly, astrea snails, turbo snails, banded trochus snails. You already got tangs and blenny they do an amazing job. I also found some stuff called marine S.A.T.(biological clarifier) made by TLC this stuff is awesome the only pet store that carries it that i'm aware of is aquatic treasures in fairview heights and there is a website or two that has it also. This stuff has helped all my tanks become algae free and i swear by it i use it for regular maintenance, freakin awesome stuff.

 

[frenchie]

check ro/di water could need filter changes, test next batch of water. Make sure temperature in tank stays steady water temperature, ph swings can all play a roll.

 

[frenchie]

home page
http://www.tlc-products.com/pages/1/index.htm

website that sells it

http://www.aquaticexchange.com/product_info.php?cPath=203_477&products_id=1826

 

[Charlie's Angel]

Thanks...I do have chaeto in the refuge but just put that in this weekend...I will look into the website you gave me about the S.A.T. Is it reef safe?

 

[frenchie]

yes, the owner of aquatic treasure use it own his own systems and he sells it at his store i've been using it for a month and have seen drastic difference on my 125 gallon. My 29 gallon and 24 gallon nano are fine but had problems with my big tank til i started using marine S.A.T.

 

[spooda420]

drastic compared to what.... what percentage would you say this treament helped?

i have not been over to AT for a while.... does he have any issues with HA in his tanks?

 

[frenchie]

i don't think he has problems with hair algae, my hair algae was everywhere on all rocks and has been cut back by 70 percent at the moment. I try to find pics to show you.

 

[spooda420]

interesting... how much do you use per dose? please send pics

 

[Charlie's Angel]

Yes...before and after pics would be great. I am going to order this tomorrow along with about 200 snails and 200 red legged hermit crabs

 

[frenchie]

you can see my 125 gallon tank in thread about my tank vids, and i'll try to post some before pics, and next weekend i post some more to show improvements.

 

[frenchie]

here is a link with label of product

http://www.tlc-products.com/images/Label_-_Marine_SAT.pdf

 

[spooda420]

link

 

[frenchie]

the link is the website were i posted the thread with all 3 tank vids and if you click on my photo gallery you can see alot of pics, but give me a bit i have to upload pics to website than post here.


http://www.livingreefs.com/forums/reef-talk/10434-vids-my-tank.html

 

[spooda420]

just ordered 2 gallons of it.. hopefully this will help.... does it affect the skimmer at all?

 

[frenchie]

didn't change anything, and i was just about to order a gallon myself.

 

[frenchie]

skimmer didn't go nuts if thats what you mean

 

[spooda420]

thanks for the heads up on the product. if it doesnt work I'll send you the bill... thanks again.

 

[Im Lon 2]

If this stuff works, we could do before and after photo's on Stupids tank... Wow talk about a HA problem.. That stuff sucks!!!