Long Hair Algae Epidemic

[jpgwold]

I have had my aquarium running since February of this year I have had a problem with long hair algae since June. I have not been able to beat it. I have scrapped it off the glass and off the LR. I cannot get all of it off because I have alot off smaller feather dusters. I have used a toothbrush which worked really well but it keeps coming back.

Please help me I need suggestions. It is an eye sore and I want to beat it. Thanks ahead of time for all your comments.

 

[affan]

Check your PO4. Unless your phosphate is undetectable by a good kit, you won't win the battle. Cheap kits may not be able to detect PO4 levels bound up in the algae.

 

[ADA33]

Also a 100 goldens will help get it under control.

 

[jpgwold]

What is a golden?

 

[ADA33]

Here is a Astraea
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=563&N=0

The ones I bought were called golden Astraea and were purchased at reeftopia.com
anyway I did get 100 of them for my 75 and it has helped keep my Hair Algea under control.

 

[Sk8r]

pincushion urchin. FIghting conch. All good munchers, coral-safe. You have to pull the long fibers off with a toothbrush, wind and yank. Then the munchers can handle the shorter stuff. It also keeps it from blocking the downflow weir and flooding your floor.

 

[bureau13]

Can ANY test kit detect phosphates that are bound up in algae? I don't see how they could.

jds

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8072563#post8072563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by affan
Check your PO4. Unless your phosphate is undetectable by a good kit, you won't win the battle. Cheap kits may not be able to detect PO4 levels bound up in the algae.

 

[annamarie421]

I have a pincushion urchin that has gone to town on hair algae in my tank. It's a fascinating creature too! You can see where it's been, because it leaves a white trail behind it (it reomves the coraline as well as hair algae), but I don't care that much about having purple rocks.

Good luck!

Anna

 

[booncool]

I also have that nuisance algae in my tank too and i can't get rid of it no matter how much i tried.