Algea in Reef Ready Overflow

jedi

jedi

Member
Hey gang..
I have a 90 gallon Reef Ready tank. Inside the overflow box, I have found alot of green long hairy algea.
I have a couple questions about it.
1. Is it a bad thing? And yes or no what should I do with it?
2. How do I control it if it is.
Thanks in advance to all that respond.
Jedi
 
jjlittle

jjlittle

Member
I think you may want to check your nitrate level you are most likely running high and that is what the hair is living on. I would check that first if high do a good size water change get the nitrate down and things should start to look better.If your nitrate are good I would scrap it as much as you can and do water change after.:joy:
 
jedi

jedi

Member
Water parameters:
ph 8.3
nitrates 0
ammonia 0
trites 0
SG 1.025
temp 80-82.6
calcium 450
Massive cleanup crew of over 100 diff snails, hermits,
5 pepermint shrimp
3 emeralds, 1 sally, 1 cleaner shrimp, brittle star.
Phosphates are the only semi issue here, due to tap water. They are slowly going down, around .25 now that I am using ro/di.
I guess what I am lookng for here is, is this something that is going to lead to an issue. as of right now, it is not. You cannot see it, and it has not effected my water as of yet.
I have read that I could pull it out and throw it in my main tank and let my tangs eat away. But I want to know if it is neccessary to remove it to avoid later complications.
And if it can lead to complications, what are they?
suggestions??
Jedi
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Well the hair algea is going to restrict or slow down your flow, it would be very benifical to remove it. My wife purchased a long straight bristle brush for me, not much thicker than a pencil, it works great for scrubing the slots of the overflow. It was made for removing hair from shower or bath drains. I could post a pic of it if you like.
You will want to check your nitrate and phosphate levels, you might even have to use a low test kit. Sometimes they don't even show up because the hair algea can use the trates and PO4 so fast it just doesn't show on the test.
I would run some PO4 remover and do a water change using only RO/DI water to help control it. But check those levels.
Thomas
 
jjlittle

jjlittle

Member
I would use phosban to get rid of that for that could kill everything and cause algea.STOP the tap water that a nono
 
ags

ags

Member
not sure what suggestion you are looking for. The advice given by several posts already is right.
You have excess nutrients in your tank which is feeding your hair algae problem. Finding that source of nutrients and eliminating it will solve your problem. It could be over feeding, water high in phosphates or any other number of problems.
If you are using anything other than RO/DI make the switch and do a water change. Tap water is notoriously high in nutrients that algae thrive on. RO/DI water is devoid of any of these nutrients.
Not sure how often you feed your tank but re-evaluate how often and how much you feed. Lastly, dosing phytoplankton, ie DT's, can cause algae blooms. If you are dosing more than the recommended amount, cut back.
Good luck.
 
razoreqx

razoreqx

Active Member

Originally posted by jedi
c'mon gang, lots of views and no suggestions?? anyone??
There has already been some great advice for you above.
 
ags

ags

Member
Phosoban type products and the like are good in removing phosphates but the fact the source has not been identified and eliminated will mean recurrence of the problem.
I suggest finding the source and dealing with it at that level that way you won't have to deal with it again.
 
jedi

jedi

Member
Thanks for the replies.
my posts did not mean that I was not getting good advice. I was staing that others may have other takes.
Most of the advice was in "checking water levels" or "dont use ro/di", this I knew.
I have tested for nitrates, and have had the water tested and always it is at or very near 0.
As I stated, my phos is at .25, and going down weekly as I have changed to ro/di water.(3 weeks ago)
I do however dose with phyto and cyto. I only dose the "suggested" ammount, but will definatly lower the amount I dose.
AGS,Thanks for that wake up call. I didnt even think of it.
Now one final question in regards to the removal. Could I cover the top of the overflow to keep light out? will that help it to dissapear? Anyone ever hear of pulling it and feeding it to the main tank/ or will this just make a mess?
Thanks all,
Jedi
 
ags

ags

Member
As for dosing phytoplankton, personally, the recommended dose is too much for my system. Moreover, I have not noticed an apprecriable difference in my tank when dosing the recommended dose vs. less than the recommended dose. I dose my 90 gallon tank once a week, 20ml. My tank is fully stock with coral and fish.
Photo period is another contributing factor. Not sure how established your tank is; however, my tank is appx. 4 years old and I run the atinics 12 hours and the 50/50's 9-10. Cutting out/reducing the light will help. Also, low flow areas are susceptible to algae blooms/cynobacteria. Not that you can place a powerhead in your overflow, just an FYI.
Never had green hair algae, is it algae or a green variety of cynobacteria?
Good luck
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
Obviously you do not want it to get bad enough to restrict flow or clog the overflow but I would rather have it in the overflow than the tank...
My 110g has a internal overflow and it gets a buildup of algae inside along the top where the light reaches. I clean it out every month or so... just one more nutrient removal spot IMO.
 
jedi

jedi

Member
reefnut,
Thanks for the input. That is what I was thinking about it. I was looking for some others who have the internal overflow, and what they do.
I too have it just at the top, and it has not been a flow issue. I will continue to keep the water flow area clean, and remove the"big" stuff as I do cleanings, but I was thinking the same thing, that if it is growing and absorbing/removeing excess nutrients, it cannot be a bad thing. And since my water parameters are pretty close to optimal, it must be doing something good.
Same question to you... I did a little experimenting today and pulled a couple chunks off and threw it in my main tank for the Naso and Yellow tangs to have at it. They , and my saddlebacks, seem to love it. Is there any harm in feeding it to them??
Jedi
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Here is my take.
I have a 90 and it does get some algae in the overflow. It sounds like you get more, but as you stated it's your tap water that you used to use. Now you have RO/DI and it's going down. Great, keep doing what your doing.
I am not a fan of phosban. Never used it, but heard horor stories of it being overdone and crashing a tank. I guess you should read up on it yourself and dicide.
You can have your fish eat the algae, but remember that the more you feed them it, the less nutrient export you will have. The nutrients in the algae will stay in your system.
I hope the helps, Dan
 
jedi

jedi

Member
Thanks everyone, I have learned alot form this thread, and did some research on it myself. I found this out...
Hair algae in the overflow can be a very good thing- it's
acting as an algae scrubber preventing Bryopsis from growing all over your
aquarium and reducing organics in your system. Removing it is the equivalent
of nutrient export.
So I have decided to remove it as it gets long. As not to allow it to interfere with the water flow. And as I pull out the Long ones, I will throw it away.
I will monitor this issue, and report any/all issues or benefiticail results, so others can learn .
Thanks to you all....
Jedi
 
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