hair algae

[scubadiver1]

Have a 92 gallon reef lots of live rock and coral. Had no problems for years with hair but in the past 2 months it is showing up in many places. Any ideas how to get rid of it. Bulbs are only 4 months old.

 

[EvilE]

I am also having hair algae issues--I will tag on. I added a lettuce nudi and more snails, and a yellow tang recently, hoping they'll keep it down......

 

[bbowler]

use a phos reactor, make sure you use good ro water, dont over feed, invest in a small clean up crew. Like snails, crabs or even a sea hare.

 

[scubadiver1]

Have phos reactor and use ro water. Also have crabs and 2 tangs

 

[The Saltman]

Increase water changes to 25% per week and run carbon also.

 

[EvilE]

so noone recommends cutting the lights?

 

[The Saltman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11814777#post11814777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
so noone recommends cutting the lights?

Cutting the lights is only a temporary fix. You have to get to the root of the problem which is high phosphates. If you follow the above recommendations, you should eventually rid yourself of this algae.

 

[TIMMYE]

Have you tested Po4? What are they at? Also with a sea hair becarefull a they can die and poison the tank if they starve. But they are great at taking care of HA.

 

[clekchau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11814797#post11814797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Saltman
Cutting the lights is only a temporary fix. You have to get to the root of the problem which is high phosphates. If you follow the above recommendations, you should eventually rid yourself of this algae.

alot of people follow the above and still have issues, also missing suggestions are to pick the algae off, scrub the algae off, increase flow etc etc

some people get to the point where they start over, i mean compeltely from scratch, selling everything including live rock, boiling it does no good sometimes it comes back too. if only there was an easy full proof way to get rid of it.

 

[The Saltman]

Algae means high phosphates and a high nutrient problem. Sometimes there are a buildup of nutrients inside the rock that could leach phosphates. Some reefers have used "Rock cooking" to rid themselves of this buildup.

 

[Mark NJ]

Went through the same thing myself about 3 years after it was up and running. Phosphates were 0 and nitrates were very low. I tried everything including upgrading lighting and scrubbing rocks. Finally someone suggested checking silicates which I thought only contributed to brown diatomic algae. I tested and they were sky high. I was also using RO water so I added a high silicate removal cartridge and with water changes and time the problem disappeared. Check your parameters and if NO3 and PO4 are within acceptable limits try testing for silicates. Good luck.

 

[Ah-lim]

I have blue tang,yellow and sailfin and none of them pecks on my hair algae....

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11816757#post11816757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ah-lim
I have blue tang,yellow and sailfin and none of them pecks on my hair algae....

Wow I guess I have lucked out then! My lettuce nudi AND my new yellow Tang, both are eating the hair algae!! I have quite a break out, but in a week I bet 40% of it is gone! I see my Yellow Tang eating it, nibbling at it all the time!

 

[demonsp]

Whene replacing bulbs or upgrading lights you need to re-adjust the light time to avoid algea blooms and system shock. Algea also present and ready to take over so its a constant battle. If your tank was in prime condition from readings to equipment to stocking then this alone would have only caused a minor change but if your tank was already lacking in some area then this wa its chance to bloom. Increasing flow for awile or even for good , reducing light time and weekly water changes untill under control.

 

[Jazmine18]

I also am having a hair algae problem atm..I invested in aphos reactor buti was wondering if i got a lettuce nudi or a sea hair what would the eat once the algae is gone.?

 

[demonsp]

If your tank size is enough he should be fine. Hair algea usually from water source and lack of flow though.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11861305#post11861305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jazmine18
I also am having a hair algae problem atm..I invested in aphos reactor buti was wondering if i got a lettuce nudi or a sea hair what would the eat once the algae is gone.?

 

[dankman88]

and yes im having a hair algea prob. had the tank going for about 2 years lot of flow at first algea only grew on the back wall it got pretty longs so i did a massive water change like 40 percent in my 90 gallon...... after water change some of the floating algea is now growing on my rock like crazy....