a couple questions! i need some help!

[brewski4u1]

OK so heres my problem!
so for about the last month i have been fighting w/ green hair algae. i saw it starting and have stepped up the water changes and cut back on feedings! i have a 30 gallon tank and i do 10 gallons every week!
the algae is not seemed to go away but has seemed to stop growing and i'm trying to figure out the best way to get rid of it! i have sucked up as much as i can and have got more clean up crew but its still there! i didn't have a phosphate test kit till today and my results were
salinity .026
Ph 8.1
amm 0
nitrate 0
nitrate 0
phosate- .5
other tank info- 30 gallon 2 years old 60lbs of live rock 250wMH and 2 96W PC's bulbs are less then 3 months old
fish- 2 clowns and a potters angle
so my question is whats the best way to get rid of the stuff! one guy at the store said buy fish that eat is i wont do that !
i talked to someone today who said to get phosban and back the bag full and stuff it in my HOB filter!
what are your opinions?
secondly is do you think i can get another fish or may be 2 once i get this hair algae under control? if so what your you get i was thinking 2 bangii cardinal or a yellow watchman ?
thanks for any and all help!

 

[nycbob]

running phosphate media will certainly help. r u using ro water during water change? r u having lots of hair algae or just a little? if a little, then a hector goby will easily eat and control the hair algae. another option is the turbo snail from mexico or pacific. if u hv having massive amount of hair algae, then u need to all of the above, plus manuel removal during water change. also, how old r the bulbs on the tank?

 

[jackri]

Depending on what water you are replacing with... dunno if you are using RO/DI or anything but you may be adding silicates that are triggering it.. just a possibility.
Once you get green hair algae it's definately a pain to get rid of even if all your readings are 0.

 

[brewski4u1]

yess i'm using RO water and nothing else! the alge is spotty a little here and a little there and some places its pretty long and i pull the crap out with my hand bulbs are 3 months old i have about 9 turbos snails and trying to stay away froma fish to solve the problem! cause once the algae is gone the fish has no more food!

 

[brewski4u1]

bump for any more help!

 

[stars4105811]

I have had an outbreak of hair algae ever since I bought a new, more intensity light. I have been using a product called algae fix and it works great! It is a couple week long process, but it is well worth the wait!

 

[nycbob]

most people will tell u not use any chemical in ur tank,, myself included. the bottle thing could thow ur water parameters out of sequence.

 

[monalisa]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2964951
most people will tell u not use any chemical in ur tank,, myself included. the bottle thing could thow ur water parameters out of sequence.
I agree here...I'm totally into the "holistic" approach to addressing problems in my tank as well. I'm also battling an algae problem at the moment. I ended up purchasing 6 mexican turbo snails last weekend, and half the algae is gone. Where 6 of these critters is too many for my tank (agreed), my daughter also has a 55gal where 3 of the turbos will be relocated to after adequate clean up in my tank.
I know for me, the reason I am dealing with the outbreak is due in part to negligence and not keeping up consistently on water changes...I've resumed those religiously every week, and am also seeing the benefits from that. Also, next weekend my lights will be serviced and this will hopefully help in addressing the problem.
Good luck with your tank. Let us know what you decide to do.
Lisa

 

[girlina4x4]

FYI for everyone: Mexican turbos are a coldwater species and will not last more than a few months in our warm water tanks!

 

[nycbob]

Originally Posted by Girlina4x4
http:///forum/post/2965338
FYI for everyone: Mexican turbos are a coldwater species and will not last more than a few months in our warm water tanks!
not true. as long u keep them around 72-78, they will do fine. but if ur tank is above that, then its a different story.

 

[monalisa]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2965344
not true. as long u keep them around 72-78, they will do fine. but if ur tank is above that, then its a different story.
Correct. I had some in my tank for upwards of 4 years. When they were gone (another reason I'm dealing with the algae) I needed to replenish my clean up crew. Thanks nycbob.

Lisa

 

[brewski4u1]

Originally Posted by Girlina4x4
http:///forum/post/2965338
FYI for everyone: Mexican turbos are a coldwater species and will not last more than a few months in our warm water tanks!
not true! i have had the same 6 in my tank from the start and my temp is from 79 to 81 and there doing just fine!

 

[tdog7879]

Originally Posted by Stars4105811
http:///forum/post/2964906
I have had an outbreak of hair algae ever since I bought a new, more intensity light. I have been using a product called algae fix and it works great! It is a couple week long process, but it is well worth the wait!
Alage fix does work!!! I have used it in my tank and still do ever now and then...the only ill effect i have had is on my cheato in my fuge and it seems to stunt the growth? It seems to kill hair algae pretty fast but you still have to remove the dead stuff by hand and then the CUC will do the rest.