I have tred everything to get rid of the hair algae, 170 hermit crabs, large snails, water changes, using a turky baster to get stuff off the rocks that make it grow, took all the rock out and scrubed with metal brush, roots must be deep in the rock cause it didnt work. All of my tests come out good. I have been told it must be things are off in the water but they are not. Im thinking about a sea hare next, any suggestions?
hair algae
- Thread starter drgmeh
- Start date
Schadiest1
New member
are you using RO water, or tap water?
jacksonsmom25
New member
do you test for phosphate? Its usually pretty high in tap water...phosphate allows algea to grow like mad...you might want to consider switching over to RO water. just a thought..
Get a Tang, or if you have the room, several Tangs. The yellows work best but I also have a purple, sailfin, and hippo. I can't grow hair algae no matter what I do. I use tap water, at present my water has no detectible phosphates but later in the year it contains small amounts (around 25 or so). I even bought an algae rock from Kennel Shop. Within days the tangs had it picked clean. I also like tangs they are active and not usually shy. Yellow and Purple tangs can hold their own in a more aggressive FOWLER tank and hippos and sailfins and koles are better suited to a more peaceful or reef tank. None of them EVER bother any corals or anemone. Sue
jacksonsmom25
New member
Hey Sue,
I have a small peice of LR with a ton of hair algea on it...I will trade you for a piece with no algea on it..you could bring it home for a little surprise for the tang (s)
I have a small peice of LR with a ton of hair algea on it...I will trade you for a piece with no algea on it..you could bring it home for a little surprise for the tang (s)
Megan, You have a deal. I have LOTS of LR with no hair algae on it. My tangs just love fresh algae rock. Maybe we can swap rock on a regular basis. Like I said I can't grow algae no matter what I do. Where do you live, I know you told me when I saw you at Bryans but I'm soooo blonde! Sue
jacksonsmom25
New member
Hey Sue
I will send you a PM!
I will send you a PM!
bunsenburner
Premium Member
I love tangs too, but find that individual tangs have taste preferences for algea. Some are not interested in hair algea for whatever reason. Some chow calupera like crazy while others won't touch it. I see the same with chaeto.
Are you feeding frozen foods? I get less algae growth if I thaw and rinse it.
Feed less food, clean you skimmer more often (when the riser tube gets discolored with slime), and increase the % of water changed and see where you stand after a month of 2.
You couple also remove the really bad pieces (nice swap you have arranged) and place them in a dark tub filled with salt water for a few months to let the algae die off. I have marginal success with BBQing rock to expidite the process.
Are you feeding frozen foods? I get less algae growth if I thaw and rinse it.
Feed less food, clean you skimmer more often (when the riser tube gets discolored with slime), and increase the % of water changed and see where you stand after a month of 2.
You couple also remove the really bad pieces (nice swap you have arranged) and place them in a dark tub filled with salt water for a few months to let the algae die off. I have marginal success with BBQing rock to expidite the process.
jacksonsmom25
New member
mushrooms help with phosphates? Ive never heard that one...very interesting!
Ewan
Premium Member
Tap was is a no-no in a reef aquarium. Municipal water treatment centers are known to add phosphate to the water to limit calcification in the pipework and pumps.
If you plan on keeping corals and inverts, you should strongly consider a RO/DI filter. A good system can be had for between $100 and $200, and it will last a lifetime (of course, there's the prefilter that have to be periodically replaced).
You can implement all the good ideas for limiting/controlling algae growth and still have algae. The problem is likely in your source water. As long as you are topping-off, you are adding algae food to your water.
When I was in university, I used to get my RO water from a grocery store every week. After a year of algae problems, I had a friend take a sample to the lab at school. The TDS of the water was obscene (120). As it turns out, they didn't service the filter at the grocery store very often. I finally bit the bullet and ordered a bare-bones RO unit. The algae problem cleaned up after a few weeks of diligent cleaning, and new, clean water.
I now use a 5 stage 100gpd RO/DI filter with an inline TDS meter. Once the TDS goes above 0, I replace my DI resins. If the pressure drops off, I replace my prefilters. That particular filter was $250, but it was by far the best investment I've made for my aquariums. Hands down.
Consider it.
-Rob
Has anyone purchased a RO/DI filter for a good deal? If so, post it!
If you plan on keeping corals and inverts, you should strongly consider a RO/DI filter. A good system can be had for between $100 and $200, and it will last a lifetime (of course, there's the prefilter that have to be periodically replaced).
You can implement all the good ideas for limiting/controlling algae growth and still have algae. The problem is likely in your source water. As long as you are topping-off, you are adding algae food to your water.
When I was in university, I used to get my RO water from a grocery store every week. After a year of algae problems, I had a friend take a sample to the lab at school. The TDS of the water was obscene (120). As it turns out, they didn't service the filter at the grocery store very often. I finally bit the bullet and ordered a bare-bones RO unit. The algae problem cleaned up after a few weeks of diligent cleaning, and new, clean water.
I now use a 5 stage 100gpd RO/DI filter with an inline TDS meter. Once the TDS goes above 0, I replace my DI resins. If the pressure drops off, I replace my prefilters. That particular filter was $250, but it was by far the best investment I've made for my aquariums. Hands down.
Consider it.
-Rob
Has anyone purchased a RO/DI filter for a good deal? If so, post it!
AquaEquestrian
New member
I was advised against getting a sea hare a while ago but he's doing a number on my hair algae. Granted, I only have a 10 gal tank but it's doing really well. So, maybe try that? Sea hare's are the cutest things, too. : )
Sonya
Sonya
AquaEquestrian
New member
Thanks Rose, I got it! I'm so bad with computers, I end up not hitting send buttons all the time or accidently do something to mess it up. 
Sonya
I'm so bad with computers, I end up not hitting send buttons all the time or accidently do something to mess it up. Sonya
jacksonsmom25
New member
Rose,
what the heck are you doing on here, I thought only dave got online? How are things?
what the heck are you doing on here, I thought only dave got online?
How are things?
