any suggestions for hair algae?

[alix]

Originally Posted by porthosandjazz
So you don't even test your water then?
We used to have a TON of hair algae when we first got the tank. The only thing we did to get rid of it was... suck it out with a turkey baster, do frequent water changes with RO water from the store, and by not over feeding. And now I don't even see any hair algae anywhere in the tank. It only took like a couple of weeks to get rid of it

NONONONONONONO!!!!! i test the water for S.G, Nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, PH i just dont have the test for phosphates ar calcium, both which i plan on getting when i get more cash.

 

[azreefgirl]

Take a water sample to lfs and have them test for phosphates. I'm dealing with red hair algae, bubble algae, and a few different types of macro algae. I have a veritable algae farm! I had my water tested, and sure enough, my PO4 is high. I use pre-mixed saltwater from lfs, so I know my water source is good, but I probably run my lights for too long each day, and I probably overfeed, although I'm trying to cut back (and the fish aren't real happy about being put on a diet). I started using PhosBan in the tank about a week ago, a picked up a few more snails, and an emerald crab, so hopefully I'll see some improvement soon. My crab seems to be picking the itty-bitty algae that I can't even see off the rocks. I wish he'd start with the larger algae that's bothering me!
The sea hare in the above pic is a blue spotted sea hare. I've managed to kill 2 of them so far.

They're great for hair algae. I've had no other deaths in my tank (other than 1 snail), but apparently there's something in my tank that's not conducive to keeping a sea hare alive. Both of them died within 48 hours of being in my tank. I had lfs hold the 2nd sea hare in their tanks for about 3 weeks before I took him home so I could make sure he was healthy. So anyway, if you can keep one alive, they'll do great things to your tank.

 

[mar1376]

So lets talk about hair algae shall we

My decorator crab usually adornes himself with grape calurpa but lately he found a patch of hair algae and this is his before and after picture.

 

[alix]

 

[cfung]

before i came to the forums and learned about Ro, i used tap water and it worked fine for me. I jsut had to condition it before putting it in my tank.

 

[cams]

Originally Posted by cfung
before i came to the forums and learned about Ro, i used tap water and it worked fine for me. I jsut had to condition it before putting it in my tank.
what did you use to condition it?

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by alix
i have no idea.
when i make $70, pay off my mom, make $20 to pay for a test kit, find the test kit, buy it, figure out how to use it, i will tell you.
by then ill be able to start a LAS- local algae supplier.

call a reputable pet store that sells/experienced in corals/reef products and ask can you bring a sample of your water in to test for phospates. joe smo pet store might not even hav e phospate kit but most good coral catering shops shouldn't have a problem testing nitrates and phospates for you.