Beautiful Hair Algae, seriously!

[matt2364]

Check this video of my tank. I had an old acropora skeleton that someone gave me and it started growing hair algae a few months ago. The algae is really long now and just blows around in the current. It actually is really cool looking, I have attached a video so you can see for yourselves. The hair algae is about 14 seconds into the video.
Why do you think the hair algae is only growing on this acropora skeleton and no where else in the tank? Well, one snail has about an inch long coating on his shell, but that is it.

 

[jmj6239]

give it a while if you do nothing it will take over.

 

[alexmir]

It may look beautiful now, but it will very quickly take over, and look horrible. take it from someone still battling with hair algea

 

[matt2364]

Damn it. Should I just remove the whole piece then?

 

[rebelprettyboy]

yup!

 

[rebelprettyboy]

or get something in there that loves hair algea and let them go at it!

 

[jmj6239]

good luck finding one, best figure out whats causing it

 

[reefereric]

It does look pretty cool, but I'd be afraid. Very afraid.

 

[tobbyjackson]

Get rid of it fast. Hair algea can get out of control so fast it will make your head spin.

 

[matt b]

Take it out soak in fresh water for a few days then rinse then do it a few more times so it will be 1005 dead. How the heck is your goniopora doing so good? Mine is horrible.

 

[matt2364]

How the heck is your goniopora doing so good? Mine is horrible.
Not sure...it is doing very well though. The SPS on the other hand need some work. Most of them are turning white

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2666303
Not sure...it is doing very well though. The SPS on the other hand need some work. Most of them are turning white
huh, I wonder why? where in the tank are they?

 

[payton 350]

well i don't know how long you've had the hair algae.....but i would guess the reason you don't have it anywhere else is because something is eating it while it is still in it's beginning (algae on the rock stages). Most critters in the tank will not eat it when it's that long. It's a good place for pods to grow. I've had big bouts of hair algae, but that was at the beginning of the tank. now i just get it in very very few specific spots.. ie powerheads tips , filter tips ........i think you can leave it and be fine ....but it's your choice....others are gonna say it's gonna take over.....just remember, every tank has hair algae...it's how you manage it, and your clean up crew manages it too........my y tang (and a little because of the lmb) is the reason i don't have any outbreaks anymore as it grazes on it all day.....unless the strand gets long, it will just pick it off the rock and let it float in the water