NEED HELP!: Best CUC for Hair Algae?

[Biodork]

Hair algae is one of the most frustrating things I have experienced in my tanks (aside from a full tank crash). I agree with previous comments to manually remove as much algae as possible along with a water change. Another tool to consider is API Algaefix. Search for other threads, there are plenty. While this product will NOT solve any underlying nutrient issues, it may give you the necessary edge to get a handle on the outbreak. You might also consider just buying filtered FW or SW. For a 20 gallon system, you can buy a lot of water for the cost of some of the RO units out there.

 

[BigCountry74]

agreed fix the cause. do not put a band aid on it

 

[fftfk]

Question on addressing the cause...when I first started getting GHA I noticed that is was all contained in a group of "cured" rocks from the same store. Would the prevalence of it on one set of rocks (I purchased cured rocks from 3 different locations and started with dry base rock) mean they are the cause of the GHA? The GHA can now be found on all of my rocks. If I removed the three originals, would that help solve the outbreak?

In addition, I am running aquavitro phosfiltrum but can find no reviews of it or mentions anywhere (including the aquavitro website). Does anyone have any experience with this product or know anything about it? After 3 weeks I have not had much ifany improvement using it but know GHA can take months to improve.

 

[Kyle461]

If you can get your hands on a test tube cleaner (wire brush) they work wonders like the toothbrush as far as removal. Of course you still have to find the source and export the nutrients that are feeding the algae.

 

[edinphilly]

I have a 29g and don't want to deal with a RODI setup so I buy distilled water which you may want to consider. We have our groceries delivered so there is no pain of lugging it around.

 

[fftfk]

Anyone have any thoughts of removing the three which started the GHA would help get rid of it or if once the GHA has spread it is in the tank for good.

 

[Mcgeezer]

Turbo snails, Astrea snails, hermit crabs and cerith snails are good choices. But as said before, you have a much bigger underlying problem, which is nutrients. You need to eliminate the source of nitrate and phosphate. Run gfo, do a large water change, manually remove as much algae as possible, dont overfeed, and then let the CUC pick up the scraps.

 

[Kolkri]

A good alternative to a GFO would be? Hubby would kill me if I spend a couple hundred more dollars right now.

 

[Psychomantix]

You just necro'ed this thread from months ago lol.
Anyway the best CUC for Green Hair Algae, especially if it's really bad, are your fingers. Just grip and yank. Then find the cause and fix it.

 

[ScienceRulez]

Small portable RODI filters can be bought for a lot less that a couple hundred. I've seen smaller ones on Amazon for between $90-150. You could check out some of the RODI people here who are members of RC, they might be able to get you a used one for cheap.