Epidemic of algea

[kijak]

I am having a problem with Hair algea,,
Here is some history.
125 gal fowlr, and a few coral, Lights are dual 250 Mh. 10000k, that's on for 12 hours, and I just dropped to 8 hours, and dual 110watt PC on for 12 hours, that I just dropped to 10 hours.. All are new bulbs. I have 10 snails, 6 emerald crabs, 3- yellow tangs, Koran Angel ( Juv), Pigmy Angel. Hawkfish, Scooter blenny, 4 chromis.
The hair algea is takin over the tank. Do I not have enough of something. I drip with kalkwasser over a week, and add the ususall reef suppliments. My phosphates are 0, and amonnia, trites 0, and trates are 20
any suggestions.????

 

[lerch]

I have a friend who had the same problem and his porblem was due to the fact that there was a light outside of his house the shined on his tank through a window all night long. He put up some curtains and the problem is going away. I would add a protein skimmer, a DSB and tons of live rock. Make sure you cut down you fish feeding.

 

[kijak]

I do hava yard light, but the curtains are closed, I also have a Protein skimer, and 3 inches of CC.. I am trying to add calerpa to take up the nutrients from the hair algea, but the fish keep eating it. and I dont have room for a refugium. Any ideas on what critters Attack hair algea, I added a lawnmower blenney but havent seen him.

 

[jim672]

Kijak,
I think decreasing your light time will help. You also need to beef-up your clean-up crew. I've read one snail and one hermit crab (red leg preferred) per gallon of water. SWF.com has some good deals on large crews. Check it out.
I did have some of the same problem a while back....before adding to my clean-up crew. I actually used an old, soft toothbrush and GENTLY brushed the algea off my LR. I syphoned the algea out of the tank.....as a part of my water change. Some of the algea will come off the rock during syphoning, too.
Good luck.
Jim

 

[kijak]

THANKS!.
Just picked up a dozen turbo, azelia Snails I have a bout 30 red legged crabs, and 4 blue legged.

 

[jim672]

I'm sure your new critters will help. If you can without disrupting too much, try to get as much out of the tank as you can through brushing or syphoning. Your clean-up crew will help prevent new growth from getting out of hand but may not be able to eat away at the really big, long pieces that are now established.
Jim