Maybe the wrong place but can you help?

[vinniemabuna]

:fun2:Hi, I like this part of reefcentral the best, the zoas forum . What I needed help on is not zoas really but the dreaded hair algae problem. Here are my details, I have a 28 gallon bow with 2 watts per gallon T5 lighting running 10 hours a day. I have no skimmer, my HOB filter runs , purigen, chemipure elite, + alittle reg. carbon + phosguard, which I changed out last week. I have 2 medium clowns, mrooms + other softies + alot of zoas frags..I dont have a sump but i do have cheto + mangroves at the back of the tank, temp 77, I dont test for anything I do WC, weekly, any help would be great.:fun2:

 

[wah-zoh]

with hair algea, testing would help to find the root of the problem. i had it in the past. i started using r/o water and 30% w/c monthly to control it. my problem was phosphates

 

[fstar25]

How much hair algae? A little here and there will just happen. But if you are starting to see it increase then you must a source issue you need to address. I took this from an article

Phosphates: Any measurable level of phosphate can cause algae problems, as it is a primary food source for the algae. Levels of phosphate should be kept as low as possible.

Nitrate: Is another food source for algae.

Ammonia: Algae can take up ammonia directly from the water.

Detritus build up: Pockets of sediment are often the first place algae get footholds. Hair algae specifically seem to 'trap' detritus and then utilize this for further growth.

Lighting: Bright lights with a long photoperiod will help algae grow. Additionally old lights shift to the red end of the light spectrum as they age, encouraging algal growth.

Supplements: Only use supplements if you are sure that they will benefit your aquarium inhabitants.

A combination of the above is the likely cause of your algae problems.

Good luck

 

[KafudaFish]

I think everyone goes through this.

Most reading this will hate this but algae is a sign of a healthy reef.

I know step away from the key board go get some coffee and think about it. For the reefer it is not viewed as that because we all want our tanks to be perfect and clean. Right?

Now there are two options for you: control it or eliminate it.

Questions:

How old is the tank?

How long has the HA been there?

How much is it covering your rock work?

My guesses are 2 - 2.5 years, 6 months and 10% maybe 20%.

 

[vinniemabuna]

Hi, and you got it on the button ! My tank is about 6 months old and the hair algae is about 15 % on my rocks, is there a connection to my situation ? I contacted John at reefcleaners and he said there is no perfect snail ect. to control HA.. Thanyou all for the advise.:hmm5:

 

[KafudaFish]

Ok so what are you going to do?

1. Start pulling it out by hand. Some control.
2. Add cuc like you want. For a small tank mexican turbo snails, the big ones work and will help "control" it once you get a handle on things. Some control.
3. I bet if you test you will get zero readings. Why do you ask? You say but I have HA I cannot have zeros.
This is because the HA is using the excess nutrients for growth.

Here is another question(s):
What is the source of the nutrients? Is it from feeding? Yes.
Is it bound in your LR like fstar mentioned? Probably to yes.

Take a powerhead and blast your rock and see what comes off you maybe suprised.

Start eliminating the sources.