Hair algae

[dclaghorn]

Have been trying for DAYS to search this topic and always get a server overload response. So, sorry for the redundancy.

sg - 1.022 @84F (I know, it's hot)
NH3 - 0
NO3 - 30 BEFORE last 10% H2O change on Saturday
NO2 - 0
PO4 - 0
Lighting on 12 hour cycle with 6 hours under 2 x 250 MHs. Also using 2 1W blue LED lunars at night.

Shy of removing the LR to scrub off with a toothbrush, how do I get rid of it? I have 2 or 3 emeralds, a bunch of hermits, snails. My Tomini tang doesn't touch it. My midas blennie might take the occasional snack from it... The hermits and emeralds might occasionally graze, but not really keep it in check. Have switched to RO H2O, but even my purified tap H2O has no NO3 or PO4. I DID start up the tank 2 months ago with non-purified tap water, just Simi Valley's finest. I am getting a blue tang today, and also ordering a purple and Red Sea blonde naso to hopefully help control the algae a bit. And one of theses days, I'll install the fans in my canopy to blow off the heat.

Thanks for any insight,
Dave

 

[ljosh]

I would add a Phosban Reactor to your system

 

[blackheart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10832742#post10832742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ljosh
I would add a Phosban Reactor to your system

yes, do this but also cut your light cycle down by 8 or 9 hours. Youe will also need to get your salinity up to 1.025-7 temp down 78-80. lots of water changes. Make sure you also take out whatever is dead from your temp spike.

but the main points are:

1. Get rid of phosphate any way possible (water changes and phos-reactor)
2. Get rid of dead coral
3. If you have floss in your filter get rid of it
4. Temp and salinity
5. Buy some fresh water black mollies they will eat more hair algae then any animal alive!
6. GET that light cycle down!!(less light less weeds)

 

[dclaghorn]

Phosphate is 0
No dead coral
No floss in filter
I know if I get the temp down, the salinity/sp gr. will increase. The mollies won't die in the salt water? Their little kidneys can handle it? But yeah, this temp thing is bad... I'm guessing that's why my emerald crabs have been croaking off on me.

 

[blackheart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10833205#post10833205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dclaghorn
Phosphate is 0
No dead coral
No floss in filter
I know if I get the temp down, the salinity/sp gr. will increase. The mollies won't die in the salt water? Their little kidneys can handle it? But yeah, this temp thing is bad... I'm guessing that's why my emerald crabs have been croaking off on me.

no mollies can live if you aclimated them right, and they are like little lawn mowers.

But really think about shortening your light cycle when you are trying to battle the hair algae. Get that temp down and see where the salint really is.

PS: the reason you are not seeing any phosphate is because it is being used as soon as its created. I bet that if you had no caularpa and no hair algae. You would see plenty of phosphates in there. Those things wont grow without

if i were you i would look into a phos- reactor and light cycle (after your temp is delt with)

 

[stemonia]

Just a thought... You're not using tap water to mix your salt water are you? If so, this could be the reason for the algae problem. There are lots of nasty things in tap water that can cause algae. If you are using tap then you really need to get a purification system and use filtered RODI water to make your salt water.

 

[NanoBen]

first of all i would use rodi water, then if that doesnt work cut back on the lighting and feeding. everything will work out

 

[dclaghorn]

Now on RO water. The start-up WAS with tap/unpurified city water... All top-offs are NOW RO. Have backed off on light cycle a little, and added a blue and naso tang yesterday. So, have 3 tangs now, 6 emerald crabs, better H2O, hopefully better light cycle since no corals (save one 'shroom). This, I hope, should bring things under control a little. Time will tell.

 

[LockeOak]

After re-establishing my tank after a move I'm battling some hair algae as well. The reduced photoperiod strategy worked well months ago on a dinoflagellate problem I was having, so I'm going to try it again. I have no idea how the stuff is growing despite absolutely no feeding of the tank (haven't moved most of the livestock yet). 5 astrea snails have been added to control it as well. RO/DI (which I use) is important, and is good for peace of mind anyway.

 

[uscharalph]

I hate Hair Algae!

 

[stoneskid]

Ya hair algae is a PIA, it ebbs and flows in my tank. Here sometimes, gone other. But I do notice it more in the summer so temps must have somethign to do with it.