Green Hair Algae - Cant afford new bulbs right now-- help

bjlled

bjlled

Member
I have a problem. I have a lot Green Hair Algae, maybe even now starting a brown diatom problem possibly. I've been pruning green hair algae for a month weekly. I am trying to do water changes as often as I can, every few days with RO/DI water (0 TDS Verified). I use Instant Ocean salt. I purchased more snails and hermits, and the problem isnt getting any better. 29 gallon tank. I have a branching hammer coral, green zoos, and a green star polyp coral. 2 fish-- Tomato Clown and Royal Gramma.
I think my lights need replaced. I use Power Compact bulbs, and have the Current USA Sunpaq bulbs (the dual daylight and the dual actinic). They need replaced, they are over a year old. I cannot afford them right now. What can I do?
 
kynekke

kynekke

Member
I fought green hair algae and diatoms for months! Tossed one of those little phosban pouches and within 48 hours they were gone... might be somewhere to start, they are cheap.
 
bjlled

bjlled

Member
I was thinking when I can afford the bulbs of also getting one of those two little fishies Phosban Reactors. Is that overkill on a 29 gallon tank?
 
sk8shorty01

sk8shorty01

Active Member
I would just go with the phosban pouches as Kynekke mentioned. I don't think you will need to get one of those for your tank, as the problem should be under control with a pouch and you will spend a lot less money that way. If you had a large tank, I would say maybe, if you had the extra money, but in a small tank it is much cheaper (and easier) to go with the pouched phosban.
 
bjlled

bjlled

Member
How long do the phosban pouches last are they used up in 48 hrs? how often do they need changed?
 
slomo

slomo

Member
you can try a lawnmower blenni? I have 2 urchins and my rocks are bare! i don't know if that is a good thing or not
esp with corals? bannded shrimp gobie does good work too, i have to add algea for them. check for compatability?
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Buy phos ban and a few fine mesh bags at your LFS or on line put the ban in a low flow area of your sump or in your filter box if you must
Recommended Usage: 50 g per 50 gal (200 l) saltwater, 50 g per 100 gal freshwater. PhosBan is safe and can be used at more than 5 times the recommended usage quantity, but at high dosages, it can cause a drop in alkalinity. Monitor alkalinity and correct if necessary with buffer or other alkalinity supplements. The useful life of PhosBan depends on the phosphate concentration in the aquarium. PhosBan can be effective for up to several months before it needs to be changed. Replace PhosBan when phosphate levels begin to rise.
and I am assumng you tested for Phos and its high
 
cdangel0

cdangel0

Member
Phos Ban will only be the answer if there's a phophate issue. Even testing for it while the hair algae is bad won't give you a true reading as the algae will use up the nutrients and alow it to test at 0.
If the lights need to be replaced then you're going to have to find a way to replace the lights as the remaining spectrum is what is feeding the algae, try running a few days without lights and that should start to help. After a few days of no lights I would reduce the lighting schedule until you can replace the bulbs, then slowly increase it back to normal.
While you're at it, be careful how much and what you're feeding the tank.
 
snaredrum

snaredrum

Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2556018
Buy phos ban and a few fine mesh bags at your LFS or on line put the ban in a low flow area of your sump or in your filter box if you must
Recommended Usage: 50 g per 50 gal (200 l) saltwater, 50 g per 100 gal freshwater. PhosBan is safe and can be used at more than 5 times the recommended usage quantity, but at high dosages, it can cause a drop in alkalinity. Monitor alkalinity and correct if necessary with buffer or other alkalinity supplements. The useful life of PhosBan depends on the phosphate concentration in the aquarium. PhosBan can be effective for up to several months before it needs to be changed. Replace PhosBan when phosphate levels begin to rise.
and I am assumng you tested for Phos and its high
Low flow area? I thought it needed to be in a high flow area. Please help so I can change mine. Thanks
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Snaredrum
http:///forum/post/2556108
Low flow area? I thought it needed to be in a high flow area. Please help so I can change mine. Thanks
It must be in a flow through area but not in an area with a high flow rate thats why most people use it in a reactor
 
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