Is this a bad idea!?

[zma21]

Is using a sea hare in terms of hair algea control an unwise choice?

I'm just wondering, because my hair algea is out of control and i have been told that a sea hare is a safe bet. I have been running chaeto in my refuge for a couple of weeks now and nothing has changed except for more hair algea.



Thanks guys, Zack :smokin:

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I see no reason not to use them...if your params are good and you think you can keep them good enough for one (and keep up on taking care of the tank) it would be fine IMO.

Have you tried an emerald crab?

 

[reef_doug]

Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[zma21]

I have not tried an emerald crab. I should, however, add that a sea hare is acclimating in my tank right now. Should of included that info.

My parameters are all perfect. Anyways, are emerald crabs reef safe? I have a kenyi tree and various polyps that i don't want to lose.

Enough with the turbo snail recommendations!! Haha, I have 15 in there right now and they wont touch it! Wish me luck, and thanks, sir_dudeguy!

 

[zma21]

I am using RO water, Doug. I can't afford an RO/DI system but in illinois RO is offered in every town. I get 5 gallons for 75c.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Anyways, are emerald crabs reef safe?

to corals, yes. Perfectly safe in my experience. I've got 2 of them running around in my 40 and 29g tanks...no clue where they go :lol: but i see em' from time to time and they never hurt anything. Never any missing polyps or anything like that.

But they can be dangerous to fish and other inverts when they get bigger. They're known to snag a fish or shrimp for a meal here and there when they get large.

also, have you tried maybe trimming it back a bit and then seeing what the snails do? Lots of animals wont touch the stuff if its too long. I trimmed the hair alga back in my 3g pico (had a really bad outbreak of it) and then my emerald crab ate everything in less than a night...granted its only 3 gallons lol, but you get the point...easier for them to eat up if its cut down a bit.

 

[zma21]

Yea, i pulled out and trimmed it for over 2 hours a week ago. It all grew back over the course of this week. They didn't touch it.


My hare is in the tank now, and the second i put him in he went to town. Sally the sea hare.

 

[REMF]

Hare's do well on hair algae. Be carful with her as far as power heads and returns, that have a tendency to get caught in them and die releasing their ink which is toxic.

 

[zma21]

Man this thing is just mowing down the algea. I love Sally!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

are you serious dude? I'll remember that if i ever have a problem with it again...my emerald worked in my 3g but if i ever have a big tank w/a problem, i'll use one of these guys.

 

[REMF]

That's great, glad to hear she is doing her job.

If she eats all your hair algae be sure to pass her on to someone who has some or she will starve.

 

[The0wn4g3]

Sea hares are hair algae eating machines.
Emerald will eat it also, but not near as fast or consistantly as sea hares. The only negative of emerald crabs is that they WILL eat pocillopora. I've had a total of 5 emeralds and EVER one of them ate some of my pocillopora.
As long as you don't have any pocillopora emerald's shouldn't be a problem!
For long term algae control I would recommend using some SeaChem phosphate absorbant. Usually hair algae is caused by excess phosphate. Phosban is good also, but a good deal more expensive!

Good luck with your algae(or removal of your algae I should say) !

 

[Cuby2k]

Sometimes you just have to stick yer arm in there and jerk the stuff out. But don't let it float away and establish somewhere else. Put a sock on your return when you are pulling it so you can catch the stray pieces.

 

[zma21]

I spent two hours last week and the same this week pulling it out, Rod, i've had enough.

And sir_dudeguy, Seriously, it's half gone. This thing is devouring everything. If you have a huge bloom, i would definitely recommend it, he's working extremely fast!

 

[The0wn4g3]

Seahares do work extremely fast, and they rarely miss any algae either!
Just make sure you have enough to algae growth to keep him alive in the long run! My LFS sells seahares for like $12 and when the customer's tank runs out of algae the LFS lets them trade it back in. It's more like renting the little guys then selling them!