The Very Rare Hairy Hermit Crab

[RocketSeason]

Seriously guys. What is this stuff and how the heck do I get rid of it.


It's all over the place!

-Matt

 

[ACBlinky]

LOL looks like good old hair algae. Reduce phosphates and nitrates as much as you can, and start manually removing it. If you're not already using RO or distilled water, switching from tap can really help.

 

[EmergencyDpt]

Take him to get a hair cut.

 

[willjeff]

I have recently won a battle against Hair algae and in the middle of kicking bubble algae out of my tank.
What has been working for me is reducing the amount of food and changing the way that I feed. For example thawing mysis shrimp in cold water then straining it before it is given.
And last but not least I received a ro/di unit as a gift and have been doing frequent water changes.
Good luck.

 

[RocketSeason]

I get my water from the culligan set-ups at wally world.

I recently upgraded my lighting and removed a ton of algea. I cleaned out my skimmer and got it working, and I replaced the old carbon in my canister with new carbon. I also have been performing semi-regular water changes...

...and then BOOM! this happens.

Do you think its wise to do a large water change over a couple of days? say, 50% in three days?

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6498734#post6498734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RocketSeason

Do you think its wise to do a large water change over a couple of days? say, 50% in three days?

I would just stick with 10% weekly water changes, cut back on feeding and reduce the lighting period. If you don't have a sump/fuge then this would be a good time to set one up.

 

[sherm71tank]

I ran into Hair Algae problems about a year ago and nothing I did helped. I went to a BB tank and cooked my rock.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=485572&highlight=rock+cooking

Tank has been algae free since.

 

[kclewis]

i would not trust the water setups at wally world or any grocery store at all. if you pay attention to the check list on the display many of the setups go months without maintenance. go to your lfs for your water. they keep up on their systems since they use them daily for the hobby. plus you build good relationships with the employees once they start seeing you every week.

 

[sherm71tank]

Trustworthy and LFS in the same sentence? That is odd.

 

[andynyc]

Yeah I just got over an outbreak a few weeks back. It lasted a good four or five months (seriously). I bought an blenny to take care of it and it looks like he did (until he jumped out the tank and died ).

It does look like its coming back though which worries me...

 

[kclewis]

im trying to help. my lfs is great. i have gotten to know the owners quite well and they would do anything to help me and my tank. [profanity]

 

[Lamorak]

I'd test the water. If you can get a hold of a TDS meter, test the water. It should have a TDS as close to zero as you can get it. If it tests out in double digits, change your water source or invest in a RO/DI unit. It'll save you tons of headaches by making sure that your water is as pure as you can get.

 

[Lamorak]

To clarify. Test the water from Walmart. Not the water already in your tank.

 

[sherm71tank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499106#post6499106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kclewis
im trying to help. my lfs is great. i have gotten to know the owners quite well and they would do anything to help me and my tank. if i wanted replies in regards to my post i will ask for them.

Your LFS is an exception to the rule. If you don't want replies to your post I suggest not posting in a public BB.

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499106#post6499106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kclewis

There is no reason to get nasty. sherm was just stating the truth as most LFS really do not care about their customers.

 

[kclewis]

i never said i didnt want replies to my post. im just saying the remarks made have no relevence to the original post. if you want to say something degrading to me pm me, ill be more than happy to entertain you there.

 

[sherm71tank]

How is stating that a trustworthy LFS is odd not relevant? Many people have to learn the hard way that unfortunantley their LFS does not have their best interest at heart. I'm glad your experience has been different but it is rare. How would you intend to entertain? With more profanity? No thank you.

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499400#post6499400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kclewis
if you want to say something degrading to me pm me, ill be more than happy to entertain you there.

Dang dude mellow out a bit. Nobody is trying to degrade you in any way. Now sit back, take a deep breath and count to ten

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6499165#post6499165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lamorak
I'd test the water. If you can get a hold of a TDS meter, test the water. It should have a TDS as close to zero as you can get it. If it tests out in double digits, change your water source or invest in a RO/DI unit. It'll save you tons of headaches by making sure that your water is as pure as you can get.

My suggestion as well Matt. If you have a local club, ask to borrow someone's. Our club has one that travels around alot. The presence of hair algae indicates that things aren't kosher. I'd suspect it's a number of things, the water, overfeeding/type of food, lack of water changes, not enough skimming.

Start by cutting the feedings in half. Skim heaavily, run carbon along with a phosphate remover like Rowaphos or Phosban, and do twice weekly 30% water changes. Add 3 or 4 Mexican or Zebra striped turbo snails. It's going to take several weeks of doing this for you to see some improvement. The turbos will go to work pretty quickly for you, but dilluting the excess nutrients and phosphates from the system takes time. Also, replace the phosphate remover and carbon weekly. Some phosphate removers will leach phosphates back into the system if not changed out frequently.

Good luck Matt!

 

[AIMFish]

kclewis, I agree w/ you here on the comment coming off as harsh and rude. To everyone else on RC, we are sorry that you may not have good LFS's near you, that is no excuse to take a blast at all of them.
As mentioned a fuge, growing macro to compete would be a good suggestion. I think the hermit looks pretty neat like that, but that's probably not the only place the algae is growing in the tank