Hair Algae

[Reef4Fun]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a hair algae problem. I have not had any problems with hair algae before, but seems that I have my 120 up and running great and now this. I use my ro/di system, I do not over feed, and I have over a dozen turbo snails and about 30 - 50 hermits. I have my water temp. under control (somewhat, it stays at about 80) I have plently of flow, I have two overflows and a SWID running, as well as a maxijet inside my rocks. The fish seem very healthy and active and my corals are growing like mad. The hair algae is going to look really bad if I don't do something soon. I already see a bunch of bubbles on my plants and on the rock that does not have the purple on it I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks,
Nancy

 

[fishmon]

Hair algae is caused by too much waste in the system, when you do water changes try using a turkey baster to "dust" your rock and get the waste up floating around in the water then do a 30% change along w/ skimming very wet. Then over the next few days "dust" your rock daily and keep skimming wet that should help a lot. I have been having great luck with pink urchins and royal urchins to help get it out once you take care of the cause. The only problem w/ using them is they knock stuff over if its not secure and carry stuff around on their backs, other than that they work well. Just siphon as much as possible out of the tank before you add them so they have a head start.

 

[phljess]

Yes, I too believe nutrient export is the key to keep hair algae at bay. There are many ways to pull excess nutrients out of your tank but the IMO the most useful way is by using a protein skimmer, water changes and growing/ harvesting macro-algae. However, having some animals in your tank that like to eat hair algae would also assist you in your endeavors. your tank is also still fairly young and is going through some growing pains, in time you will get it figured out.

Good Luck

 

[Reef4Fun]

okay, thanks all

 

[1package]

It is a nutrient issue. With a medium fish load it is harder to avoid. Tangs are sort of hit and miss option.

I have some hair algae on my returns in one tank, neither a Sohal tang nor a Tomini tang would touch it. I have it in my overflows on another tank but there is a purple and Hippo tang in that tank, they eat it up if it ever touches the water.