hair algae

[Brando457]

So this isn't technically an emergency yet, except if I can't get it under control soon I may have my own emergency called insanity.

I seem to be having an endless cycle of long hair algae, I pick off what I can, I've increased the flow and decreased the light cycle slightly. I am running carbon and skimming, also have a fuge with cheato. Yet I can't seem to beat this annoying SOB!

Anyone have a sea slug or any advice as far as what else I can do?

I'm making up a batch of water for a water change around 30 gallons since I'm due for one. Also I'm using RO/DI which tests 0 on the TDS meter and instant ocean salt mixed 24 hours prior to changing the water.

It sucks because I love my tank, but this algae is driving me bat crazy

 

[The_Codfather]

what about phos test? even if it comes up 0 you still might want to add phos zorb or something like that with the carbon due to the algae taking the phos as fast as it's produced been reading good things about API's Algaefix too

 

[Brando457]

what about phos test? even if it comes up 0 you still might want to add phos zorb or something like that with the carbon due to the algae taking the phos as fast as it's produced been reading good things about API's Algaefix too

Buddy tried Algaefix with no significant change when he had a similar problem. He ended up pulling all his rocks and scrubbing them in new water, which I'd like to avoid if possible, but will do it if necessary.

 

[The_Codfather]

what about phos test? even if it comes up 0 you still might want to add phos zorb or something like that with the carbon due to the algae taking the phos as fast as it's produced been reading good things about API's Algaefix too

Buddy tried Algaefix with no significant change when he had a similar problem. He ended up pulling all his rocks and scrubbing them in new water, which I'd like to avoid if possible, but will do it if necessary.

How long did he do it for? I hear you don't see much till after 5+ doses

 

[Brando457]

Sid a full bottle, maybe I'll give it a try. I've heard good things about sea slugs, but that once they serve their purpose need to give it to someone who can feed them otherwise they starve to death.

 

[Nickjr000]

do you have any tangs? Some love to eat hair algae. Def get sea slugs they'll wipe it out. Ocean gal II usually has em. Also gfo, and lots and water changes. Hang in there, eventually it will go away

 

[Nickjr000]

I've heard good things about sea slugs, but that once they serve their purpose need to give it to someone who can feed them otherwise they starve to death.

Trade em back to lfs or sell/give them away on here, lots of people with hair algae

 

[Brando457]

do you have any tangs? Some love to eat hair algae. Def get sea slugs they'll wipe it out. Ocean gal II usually has em. Also gfo, and lots and water changes. Hang in there, eventually it will go away

I have a hippo and a yellow tang, I'll give Brian a ring and see if he has any I can pick-up one day this week.

I'm running activated carbon and going to do a water change probably tomorrow or Wednesday night if possible.

 

[9supratt4]

Yeah...I don't like to use any chemicals if I don't have too....and an algaecide in a reef tank...YIKES!!

Brandon...come get those socks when you can....another problem is that you aren't getting enough of the solid matter out of the tank using filter socks....it all just gets re-circulated into the tank and breaks down fueling the growth of the algae.

 

[Brando457]

Yeah...I don't like to use any chemicals if I don't have too....and an algaecide in a reef tank...YIKES!!

Brandon...come get those socks when you can....another problem is that you aren't getting enough of the solid matter out of the tank using filter socks....it all just gets re-circulated into the tank and breaks down fueling the growth of the algae.

Lol OMG you're alive Steve!!!!! Let me know when I'll come now lol

 

[The_Codfather]

Yeah...I don't like to use any chemicals if I don't have too....and an algaecide in a reef tank...YIKES!!

Brandon...come get those socks when you can....another problem is that you aren't getting enough of the solid matter out of the tank using filter socks....it all just gets re-circulated into the tank and breaks down fueling the growth of the algae.

Same here with the chemicals but maybe as a last resort.. i got the same algae as Brandon but it don't last to long in my tank

 

[The_Codfather]

Not to hijack the thread but how was the Bachelor Party Steve?

 

[9supratt4]

Not to hijack the thread but how was the Bachelor Party Steve?

It was horrible, but myself and another friend made it fun for ourselves at least!!

Hair algae is fueled mostly by phosphates. Unfortuately no test kit is sensitivve enough to read phosphate levels and also the algae may be using it all up so it wouldn't show up in the test anyway.

Has your cheato grown at all?? Is the skimmers working well?? How much do you feed and how often?? What is your light schedule??

 

[Brando457]

Not to hijack the thread but how was the Bachelor Party Steve?

Has your cheato grown at all?? Is the skimmers working well?? How much do you feed and how often?? What is your light schedule??

Cheato has grown alittle yes, due for a trimming soon. Skimmer seems to fill up half the poland spring bottle every few days. I feed every other day mix of brine, mysis, formula 4, or cylopeeze. Amount is a small chunk of each or of one and its about half a shot glass when dissolved.

Light schedule is:

actinics 12 - 1:30
Halides 1 - 8
actinics 7:30 - 9

moonlights 24/7

cheato light is 10-10 normally

 

[The_Codfather]

I know this worries some people but maybe do a 3 day light out.. if you feel uncomfortable doing that cut back the light even more maybe the Halides to 5 hrs.. it's not always sunny on a reef

 

[The_Codfather]

Not to hijack the thread but how was the Bachelor Party Steve?

It was horrible, but myself and another friend made it fun for ourselves at least!!

Hair algae is fueled mostly by phosphates. Unfortuately no test kit is sensitivve enough to read phosphate levels and also the algae may be using it all up so it wouldn't show up in the test anyway.

Has your cheato grown at all?? Is the skimmers working well?? How much do you feed and how often?? What is your light schedule??

Dancer was that ugly huh? ;D

 

[vangvace]

I've done 3 days with lights out with success. My hair algae problems are going away quickly now that I took my eggcrate frag rack out fwiw.

 

[9supratt4]

Not to hijack the thread but how was the Bachelor Party Steve?

It was horrible, but myself and another friend made it fun for ourselves at least!!

Hair algae is fueled mostly by phosphates. Unfortuately no test kit is sensitivve enough to read phosphate levels and also the algae may be using it all up so it wouldn't show up in the test anyway.

Has your cheato grown at all?? Is the skimmers working well?? How much do you feed and how often?? What is your light schedule??

Dancer was that ugly huh? ;D

Sid,

The problem is there were no dancers at all. The bachelor was tossing up his dinner by 10:30!!!

 

[The_Codfather]

Oh Dear!

 

[Nickjr000]

Wow that'll ruin the night! I would of left him in a car and enjoyed the rest of the night!