Another Hair algea Problem

tim514

Member
I recently upgraded from a 30gal. to a 75gal. Transferred half of my LR and purchased another 50lbs.
The original rock was 50% covered in hair algea that I cannot seem to get rid of. When i made the transfer, i scrubbed each rock and hoped that the new Tank and better conditions would prevent it from growing back.
Wrong.

I have a phosphate reactor, a Sea Hare, and very good water conditions. My new LR is algea free but I am afraid in a month or two the new rock will be infested also.
I was thinking about removing a few rocks at a time and placing them in a heated bucket of tank water for a week or so. But i do not want the rock to cycle again or die off.
Any advise on how to eliminate this hair algea? Is there any chemicals that will do the trick?
 

flower

Well-Known Member

A UV sterilizer will stop it from spreading its nasty little spores. I intend to get me one ASAP..I am tired. I don't have any hair algae on my rock at all. The lawmower blenny and Kole tang keep the rock clear but it grows on my power heads and edges of my tank at the top.
 

tim514

Member
Thanks, Im thinking about getting a lawnmower and a tang but i feel like all they will do is eat the algea instead of eliminating it.
 

fibinotchi

Member
The algae is feeding off something, so those nutrients are present in the water column long enough for the hair algae to snatch it up, it just doesnt show on your test kits, maybe try shorter photoperiod, smaller feedings, a different food possibly, or more frequent small waterchanges after manually removing the algae and you may win eventually.
 

tim514

Member
Well, my sea hare died. So plan B, i'm going to get a lawnmower blenny.
If I put some pieces of rock in my sump (no lights) will the rock die and cause any spikes?
 

bmkj02

Member
Cut down of your lighting and do a large water change not small ones. 50% or even 75% water change. A good CUC and manual labor on your part and it should start to settle. Check the water you are using prior to putting it in the tank for phosphates. Are you using RO/DI water? Cut back on your feedings. I feed every 2 days.
 

tim514

Member
Originally Posted by bmkj02
http:///forum/post/3229556
Cut down of your lighting and do a large water change not small ones. 50% or even 75% water change. A good CUC and manual labor on your part and it should start to settle. Check the water you are using prior to putting it in the tank for phosphates. Are you using RO/DI water? Cut back on your feedings. I feed every 2 days.
I will start to feed every 2 days. Yes I am using RO/DI. Again, the hair algae is only on my old rock and not the new rock. I had the hair algae problem before I upgraded to my 75.
 

raymond2688

Member
lawn mower blennie did it for me since i put him in there 8 months ago i have had no signs of hair algea. good luck
 

mfoley

Member
Originally Posted by bmkj02
http:///forum/post/3229556
Cut down of your lighting and do a large water change not small ones. 50% or even 75% water change. A good CUC and manual labor on your part and it should start to settle. Check the water you are using prior to putting it in the tank for phosphates. Are you using RO/DI water? Cut back on your feedings. I feed every 2 days.
I am sorry but I cannot agree with that at all. I've encountered far too many people who have done 50% water changes and lost tons of stuff as a result... Such a drastic change is quite a shock. I could only reccomend a change of more than 30% in the most major of emergencies. I, too, am having hair algae problems, because I stopped doing weekly 10% changes. Since reverting back to the weekly changes, and taking out all affected rocks just before the changes and giving them a firm scrubbing, I have seen a steady decline in the algae.
 

ryancw01

Member
Originally Posted by mfoley
http:///forum/post/3254376
I am sorry but I cannot agree with that at all. I've encountered far too many people who have done 50% water changes and lost tons of stuff as a result... Such a drastic change is quite a shock. I could only reccomend a change of more than 30% in the most major of emergencies. I, too, am having hair algae problems, because I stopped doing weekly 10% changes. Since reverting back to the weekly changes, and taking out all affected rocks just before the changes and giving them a firm scrubbing, I have seen a steady decline in the algae.
I do almost a 50% water change every time I do a water change. Been doing it this way for years and never had an issue with losing anything. Changing out the water should not shock anything as long as you have enough live rock. Just my 2 cents though...
 

mfoley

Member
Yes, some people have never had any problems with larger changes, but I have seen many people lose a lot of livestock because of a larger change. I will say this: I think that you have a much better chance of success if you heat the new water prior to the change.
 

selectaquarium

New Member
i agree that it might be a phosphate issue, have you tried a media bag of Granular Ferric Oxide? the stuff is dynamite for eliminating phosphate and the resulting algae. That in conjunction with the algae eating fish, and limited lighting should do the trick for the hair algae. (I also agree that a large water change may be too drastic, you can always go to that later, if you're desperate.)
http://www.selectaquariumsupply.com/...%22/Categories
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
but it grows on my power heads and edges of my tank at the top.
you have to attack it in places of constant nutrient flow. that is why it is prevalent on your poweheads
 

bmkj02

Member

Originally Posted by newton9527
http:///forum/post/3255845
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If that is the case I can bet it wasnt due to a large water change. There was another issue. Large water changes doesnt cause your tank to cycle again. Doing small water changes just takes longer to fix the problem and waste water and salt at the same time. Its also a bandaid fix as you still need to find the source of the problem.
Im still sticking with Cut down of your lighting and do a large water change not small ones. 50% or even 75% water change. A good CUC and manual labor on your part and it should start to settle. Check the water you are using prior to putting it in the tank for phosphates. Are you using RO/DI water? Cut back on your feedings. I feed every 2 days.
 
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