hair algae

[smleee]

As I see it, there are 3 types of approach to ridding hair algae.

1. Treating the symptoms: i.e. getting something to eat it, removing it by hand.
2. Treating the cause: ridding the tank of phosphates, nitrates, and other suspected parameters that feed the algae.
3. Both 1 and 2.

There are countless threads on RC about the different methods of doing this. I did a title search for "hair algae", but I assume you won't be able to unless you come to RC during non-peak hours and do a search (since your not a premium member). Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=837005&highlight=hair+algae
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=836784&highlight=hair+algae
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=770206&highlight=hair+algae
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=819087&highlight=hair+algae
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=779353&highlight=hair+algae


eee

 

[jami]

Thanks for your help with the links to the other threads. They had some very helpful information on them. I'm going to try and upload a picture. Can you tell if this is hair algae? I called my LFS last night and they reassured me that they change their RO filters (I buy water from them) every time it is due. These guys have never steered me wrong. Best shop I have found where I live. I guess that means I back to trying to find out what my problem is.

 

[smleee]

Those are pretty small, but from what it looks like in the middle picture, yes. Don't take that as certain though, it's just too small to tell. I commend you for asking the LFS about their filters, but short of testing it yourself, or having them show you the test with a TDS meter, it still may not be true that they change their filters "every time it is due". I say this because of your statement earlier about "The last 2 months I have been buying water from LFS and now have a HUGE problem with hair algae taking over my tank." If nothing else has changed but the water, that should be a big flag. Lighting also constantly is changes, but shouldn't be the sole trigger of the outbreak. Are there any other changes you have made in the last month? I mean anything, buying a fish, having it die, hardware changes, etc.

eee

 

[jami]

The only other changes have been that I changed out my lights from the regular lights to compact. But I think that should have helped, not hurt my tank. I know if you leave them on too long that could be harmful but i have them on timers. No new additions in fish, but I did get 3 more snails. I haven't had anything die in awhile. And when that happened I got it out of the tank quickly.

 

[smleee]

What are your lights? PC? What is the color temp?
It looks like you have a SSB, how long have you had it and do you vacuum it?
It doesn't look as if you are "overrun" by anymeans with the hair algae, so I suggest for now, you remove it by hand (daily or every other day) and keep up with the water changes - but only with water you know that tests 0 ppm on a TDS tester.

By the way, this is hair algae:

eee

 

[smleee]

double post

 

[jami]

I feel like it's over run... Just because it looks so bad and it came all of a sudden. Yes, I have Power Compacts, 130watts. I'm not sure about the color temp though. The bulds are the ones that came with the fixture. It's Corallife. SSB?? I'm not sure what that stands for (sorry). I'm thinking something with the substrat? I have crushed coral.
I do at least 10% water changes every week....

 

[jami]

oh and yes I do vaccum! Every week with my water changes.

 

[skeeter_ca]

And just for giggles, what are your nitrates and phosphates testing at.

 

[jami]

i don't have a way to test for phosphates right now. I'm getting something tonight hopefully! My nitrates are at a 5.

 

[smleee]

In a lot of cases phosphate tests are not viable when dealing with hair algae as they are getting used up and may or may not show up on a test. Nitrate test would be good though.

SSB = shallow sand bed; usually about 1-2 inches

Try to up the water changes to about 20-25% a week along with your usual vacuum, make sure and get behind the rocks too. Also before doing a change blast the detritus off your rocks with a power head or turkey baster, then suck it up in the change. Pull out as much HA as you can before the change too. Keep pulling out the HA all week long!

Do I need to remind you to make sure you are getting pure water with nothing in it?

How old are the bulbs? (This shouldn't effect the HA too much, though it can be a contributor).

eee

 

[jami]

My LFS said that my reading of 5 for nitrate is nothing to be concerned with....Is it? I know you want it at a 0 but....Yes as far as the SSB goes we only have about 2 inches.

I do need to get behind the rock better, I admit. I need to move them up some away from the glass. I've had a few people tell me to scrap the rock with a toothbrush....Do you advise this? It seems to me like there would be a good chance of scrapping off all my good stuff in the process.

I've only had my PC fixture for less than 2 months. And the bulds came with it. So I would hope they don't need to be changed yet....

 

[smleee]

Yeah, the fixture should be good to go.

You can use a toothbrush if you like, but I found that using your hands is far more effective.

5 is ok IMO, but yes 0 is good.

eee