Hair Algae Dilemma

vito525

vito525

Member
OK, I have a 30 gallon tank, so a tang is out as far as controlling the hair algae outbreak I have (i have cut the lights back, and show no phosphorus on tests). I have read about Lawnmower Blennies but as adults they do not eat Hair Algae. I have corals so other creatures are out. I have resorted to adding 10 emerald crabs but they seem to cut it down and then it gets clogged in my powerheads and gets spread more around the tank. Any suggestions???
 
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gsxr1100

Guest
Originally Posted by vito525
OK, I have a 30 gallon tank, so a tang is out as far as controlling the hair algae outbreak I have (i have cut the lights back, and show no phosphorus on tests). I have read about Lawnmower Blennies but as adults they do not eat Hair Algae. I have corals so other creatures are out. I have resorted to adding 10 emerald crabs but they seem to cut it down and then it gets clogged in my powerheads and gets spread more around the tank. Any suggestions???
I would get a turbo snail. They work the best I feel.
 
sandsifter

sandsifter

New Member
I have a lawnmower blenny and he does eat hair algae but only when it is really short. I would check your nitrates and phosphates. Are you using filtered water for top off and water changes? If not you probably should because most water supplies are high in contaminates. Once you find the source of the water problems then you can toothbrush off the rocks and get hermit crabs to control the algae. Hermits do a great job. The rule of thumb I have heard is one hermit for every gallon of water.
 
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gsxr1100

Guest
Originally Posted by SANDSIFTER
I have a lawnmower blenny and he does eat hair algae but only when it is really short. I would check your nitrates and phosphates. Are you using filtered water for top off and water changes? If not you probably should because most water supplies are high in contaminates. Once you find the source of the water problems then you can toothbrush off the rocks and get hermit crabs to control the algae. Hermits do a great job. The rule of thumb I have heard is one hermit for every gallon of water.
I agree. I know my turbo's help. But the best things I did was add a wave maker and more water movment and changed my RO/DI stuff more often. Lightsalso need to be "up to date".
 
vito525

vito525

Member
Well I went to the LFS and picked up a small yellow tang on loan. The water I was using for top off turned out to be RO but w/added minerals so I think that may be my prob. I run actinics 8 hours, lights 6 hours. My fuge sits on the back of my tank and it's light is on 18 hours.
 
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thomas712

Guest
It may very well be that you are testing 0 for phosphates, even your nitrates may be low. This is because you don't have low test kits or because that hair algea uses these firtilizers so fast that you simply register zero on the test kit, but it keeps on growing.
Examin your feeding habits, freaquency and type of food you are feeding.
Check the age of your lighting, spectrum and length of photo period.
Check filters, skimmer and areas in the tank that may have a build up of detritus.
Perhaps a sea hare! could solve your problem.
Thomas
 
larrynews

larrynews

Active Member
i have a 90 that i have been battling hair algae for what seems like forever, so i broke down bought 100 plus blue legged crabs and bam, within a week most of it was gone, and within 2 weeks none to be seen...hth
 
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gsxr1100

Guest
Originally Posted by Thomas712
It may very well be that you are testing 0 for phosphates, even your nitrates may be low. This is because you don't have low test kits or because that hair algea uses these firtilizers so fast that you simply register zero on the test kit, but it keeps on growing.
Examin your feeding habits, freaquency and type of food you are feeding.
Check the age of your lighting, spectrum and length of photo period.
Check filters, skimmer and areas in the tank that may have a build up of detritus.
Perhaps a sea hare! could solve your problem.
Thomas
I agree. Most times it is not just one thing.
 
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