looks like green hair have some on frags,frag holders and on 2 rocks hermits arent eating it any other suggestions thanks John
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best way to get rid of hair algae
- Thread starter bovsbaitboxes
- Start date
If you can remove the frag plugs and rock, pull them out and scrub them with a toothbrush in a container of water. This will cover the symptom but will not cure your problems. Hair algae will stick around if you have high levels of nitrates and/or phosphates. Old PC bulbs shift to a redder spectrum (you can't really see it) which promotes algae growth so if you have them replace them.
I put a bag of carbon in my sump and I also used Weiss Organics:
http://www.weissorganics.com/algaemagic.html
Just follow directions. If you use less then directed it will not work.
http://www.weissorganics.com/algaemagic.html
Just follow directions. If you use less then directed it will not work.
I have the same thing on a few frags, seems documented that the Aragocrete Reef Plugs have a occasional tendency to promote algae growth on the plug and surrounding area. Perhaps they leach something because this can happen is a tank that is algae free.
Currently, if the paramiters and lights are good, Mnats advice of scubbing it off or pinching it out is the best action.
I have been experimenting with putting affected plugs in a sealed ventilated plastic cup and placing known grazers in with it, so far with negative results, Turbos, Emerald Crabs, PERIWINKLEs, Grass shrimp Ect, Have not touched it. Currently I have certh snails in the cup. The one factor that may be affecting this is that these are zoos and may be imparting some of there toxins to the algae making it impalpable. This has been documented.
Experimenting with Hydrogen Peroxide Dips has been negative, ether loss of the frag or the algae grows back.
GregH
Currently, if the paramiters and lights are good, Mnats advice of scubbing it off or pinching it out is the best action.
I have been experimenting with putting affected plugs in a sealed ventilated plastic cup and placing known grazers in with it, so far with negative results, Turbos, Emerald Crabs, PERIWINKLEs, Grass shrimp Ect, Have not touched it. Currently I have certh snails in the cup. The one factor that may be affecting this is that these are zoos and may be imparting some of there toxins to the algae making it impalpable. This has been documented.
Experimenting with Hydrogen Peroxide Dips has been negative, ether loss of the frag or the algae grows back.
GregH
Only thing with carbon is that it can leech phosphates and hair algae loves phosphates.. better off using phos zobe.. even if water parameters show 0 PPM for phosphates.. hair algae can take the phosphates out of tha water as fast as it's addedwhitebear1020 said:
Only thing with carbon is that it can leech phosphates and hair algae loves phosphates.. better off using phos zobe.. even if water parameters show 0 PPM for phosphates.. hair algae can take the phosphates out of tha water as fast as it's added
[/quote]
I heard about some poor quality carbon that leech phosphates. I use AquaClear and don't have any problems so far. I read that ChemiElite is a very good option to remove both Nitrates and Phosphates. I am planning to replace my carbon with it in a near future.
[/quote]
I heard about some poor quality carbon that leech phosphates. I use AquaClear and don't have any problems so far. I read that ChemiElite is a very good option to remove both Nitrates and Phosphates. I am planning to replace my carbon with it in a near future.
whitebear1020 said:
I heard about some poor quality carbon that leech phosphates. I use AquaClear and don't have any problems so far. I read that ChemiElite is a very good option to remove both Nitrates and Phosphates. I am planning to replace my carbon with it in a near future.
[/quote]Looks like it does the same as phos zorb but seem to last longer
Also a 3 day light out helps too.. Starve Them of phos and light ;D
Some good reading!Hawkeye said:
Currently I'm running a 75gal hair algae farm along with the coral. Thnks for the link, it was good reading. I do shudder at the thought of having to cook my rock again. (although I could get a bigger tank then, hmmm) The tank was been up for 7+ years and this is my second bought with hair algae. Last time was a little over 3 years ago when I had to move my parents up from Florida. During that time I also lost my 55 gal fug because it was on an unstable stand. Reminder to self - Never us those snap together steel stands u get at Home Depot – they don’t like salt. I do know the main issue is the lack of participation on my part, so I'm working on remedying that. My plan of attack is to (in no particular order):
- Replace the lights. I think they are over 2 years old. (ATI T5 – icecap ballast)
- Redo the basement sump (started last week end)
- Add a media reactor with carbon and rowa phos. I picked one up a MR1 at MACNA at about half price so I’ll put it on this weekend.
- Soak my skimmer in muratic acid - 20:1 unless that doesn’t work then I’ll decrease the dilution to about 10:1. If that doesn’t work then I’ll just dumb the straight acid on it and run away. Hopefully I’ll remove the 7 years of buildup inside. It will either be clean or I’ll end up with a lump of plastic, and then get a new one.
- Replace my main pump. Currently the Mag 18 is only giving me 150 to 200 gph. Planning to up it to about 500-600 gmp. Can’t put anymore through the over flow.
- Add a fug back with a deep sand bed. (30 gal-ish) Tank always seemed to be perfect when I had the fug.
- I’m doing weekly 20% or so water changes with TMP. I tried this salt after talking to several members at the last meeting. I do like this salt. Seems to be bringing the chemistry back in line and it’s the first time my skimmer doesn’t flip out when doing the water change.
- Harvest the algae and maybe build a compost pile in the back yard – to be echo friendly.
- I’ve been testing the water weekly, everything’s good which really doesn’t mean anything since any issues are held in check with the algae. Only issue is I can’t keep or get the calcium above 300. I also picked up a reactor at MACNA and I’ll put that on once I get the tank stabilized.
Anyone have any thoughts or comments – divine revelations are always appreciated….
Bob
- Replace the lights. I think they are over 2 years old. (ATI T5 – icecap ballast)
- Redo the basement sump (started last week end)
- Add a media reactor with carbon and rowa phos. I picked one up a MR1 at MACNA at about half price so I’ll put it on this weekend.
- Soak my skimmer in muratic acid - 20:1 unless that doesn’t work then I’ll decrease the dilution to about 10:1. If that doesn’t work then I’ll just dumb the straight acid on it and run away. Hopefully I’ll remove the 7 years of buildup inside. It will either be clean or I’ll end up with a lump of plastic, and then get a new one.
- Replace my main pump. Currently the Mag 18 is only giving me 150 to 200 gph. Planning to up it to about 500-600 gmp. Can’t put anymore through the over flow.
- Add a fug back with a deep sand bed. (30 gal-ish) Tank always seemed to be perfect when I had the fug.
- I’m doing weekly 20% or so water changes with TMP. I tried this salt after talking to several members at the last meeting. I do like this salt. Seems to be bringing the chemistry back in line and it’s the first time my skimmer doesn’t flip out when doing the water change.
- Harvest the algae and maybe build a compost pile in the back yard – to be echo friendly.
- I’ve been testing the water weekly, everything’s good which really doesn’t mean anything since any issues are held in check with the algae. Only issue is I can’t keep or get the calcium above 300. I also picked up a reactor at MACNA and I’ll put that on once I get the tank stabilized.
Anyone have any thoughts or comments – divine revelations are always appreciated….
Bob
How's that battle going Bob?
Thanks for asking…
Going slow... nothing good happens fast
got it down by about a third. Compost pile is growing.
- changed the T5s - couldn't wait for the group buy and happened to be at AO in Avenel, he had the ones I wanted and by the time u get done with shipping, the cost would be about the same - looks a like different tank, what a color shift. Wife, was surprised, corals were surprised and are just now starting to come out of hiding. Emerald and hermit crabs sent me a note in a bottle requesting sunglasses.
- redid my basement sump but still need to add a fug - looking for a 40 or 50 gal breeder (keep checking online and craigslist) and need to order a pump - last time at the LFS, my wife said "just order it already". If I wait long enough, maybe she will order it for me and I won't feel guilty about the money...
- added the MR-1 with rowa phos - nice media reactor... media is a bit temperamental
- soaked my skimmer in a 20:1 dilution of muriatic acid. Once the bubbling was done, it was as clean as the day I got it (after rinsing). If you do this, be careful, do it out side, and be careful.
- Staying with 10-20% weekly / bi weekly water changes.
- I'm keeping the Ca up by adding turbo - brightwell brand whatever they call it.
- keeping a log so I know where I've been. (what a concept - I even found the last 4 I started)
Ph 8.2
Mg 1600 – (keeping it high)
Ca 420
Alk 12
No 0
-bob
Going slow... nothing good happens fast
got it down by about a third. Compost pile is growing.- changed the T5s - couldn't wait for the group buy and happened to be at AO in Avenel, he had the ones I wanted and by the time u get done with shipping, the cost would be about the same - looks a like different tank, what a color shift. Wife, was surprised, corals were surprised and are just now starting to come out of hiding. Emerald and hermit crabs sent me a note in a bottle requesting sunglasses.
- redid my basement sump but still need to add a fug - looking for a 40 or 50 gal breeder (keep checking online and craigslist) and need to order a pump - last time at the LFS, my wife said "just order it already". If I wait long enough, maybe she will order it for me and I won't feel guilty about the money...
- added the MR-1 with rowa phos - nice media reactor... media is a bit temperamental
- soaked my skimmer in a 20:1 dilution of muriatic acid. Once the bubbling was done, it was as clean as the day I got it (after rinsing). If you do this, be careful, do it out side, and be careful.
- Staying with 10-20% weekly / bi weekly water changes.
- I'm keeping the Ca up by adding turbo - brightwell brand whatever they call it.
- keeping a log so I know where I've been. (what a concept - I even found the last 4 I started)
Ph 8.2
Mg 1600 – (keeping it high)
Ca 420
Alk 12
No 0
-bob