All of a sudden....hair algae (1 Viewer)

[Linda]

Just there it is....growing like it owns the place. What's the best way to get rid of this stuff? Thanks!!

 

[t0mmy108]

snails, snails snails.....tangs, small urchins and sally lightfoots. Maybe lights out for three days while the critters work at it?

 

[Wildfire]

How old are your bulbs? I've noticed that when my specturm gets out of whack due to the age of the bulbs, my algae will begin to "bloom".....

 

[Linda]

I have snails but they don't seem to be cutting...I may try an urchin....I have a yellow tang and he nips at the short algae on the side walls but I've got the long stuff starting to really grow on my overflow boxes. The bulbs are not very old at all because i just got the tank set up about 4 months ago.. Thanks guys!!

 

[g3x5]

my lawnmower blenny didnt like the long haired algea, but if its about 1/4" long he will eat it!. you might wanna try one of them too. also a sea hare will do wonders.

 

[Niko5]

Tropical Fish Depot has some cool blue line rabbitfish and eat hair algae and they look nice I got one but i need more algae..

Maybe its to many Zoa's causing the algae?

I wouldnt get an Urchin they knock stuff over alot.

 

[Linda]

Ok....how about I give you some of my hair algae to feed your rabbitfish.... I really don't mind

 

[Guest]

Linda,
Bring a water sample to Tropical Fish Depot and I will run a complete water test for you and get to the root of the problem. I also have the Tuxedo Sea Urchin will take care of those hairy algae.

 

[Abe77901]

Linda,

I had the same problem in my tank, I started using a product refered to me called Marine SAT, its awesome, that and a tang will wipe it out and keep it gone.

 

[Melodyepta]

Linda take ReefALot up on his offer. Using snails, fish, or other critters to "mow" it down is fine...but that is treating the sympton...not the cause. You need to find out what is fueling the HA growth.

If your system is only 4 months old you might still have a high level of nitrates. Add in what you're feeding, how much, how often, and you've got phosphates on the scene now. Both of those will cause HA to go crazy.

If you cut the source of the nutrient, the HA will die out on it's own, without adding a critter that you may not want long term in your tank.

Go see Kevin at TFD and let him analyze your water.

 

[Linda]

Thanks guys....I will get over to see kevin this weekend and check on the Marine SAT.....Melodye, did you get your pictures?

 

[Melodyepta]

Thanks guys....I will get over to see kevin this weekend and check on the Marine SAT.....Melodye, did you get your pictures?

Yes Ma'am! Thank you...I just haven't had time to do anything about it.

I love the little pilgrim man and the indian man. Too cute!

 

[Linda]

Good I'm glad you got them...wait till you see some of the rest....

 

[MarkieB]

Linda,

I had the same problem in my tank, I started using a product refered to me called Marine SAT, its awesome, that and a tang will wipe it out and keep it gone.

Could not agree more. I did double dose the first month. Do a search on it here, I wrote a rather long review. Global carries it, not only will it kick your hair algae, but it will clean your rocks up and keep the bad stuff from builiding up on them.

Honestly I lost about 2/3 of my clean up critters because this stuff does so well, I just dont have enough dirt left to feed the trash collectors. Using it and seeing my critters die off after years, made me realize how impacted with crap my rocks were before.

 

[t0mmy108]

keep us posted. I'd like to know what the outcome of your tests conclude. It might help me with some of my algae problems as well. I tried to test for phosphates myself but i couldn't get any consistant readings. I know nutrients has something to do with it but I could never test for those either. I just guessed that if the skimmer was skimming then that was my indicator.

 

[MarkieB]

For what it's worth!
I did double dose the first month, and now just do a once a month maintnence dose! I am still 100 % free of the green beast!


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