hair algae out break - whats the best invert for the job

[@]

i have a minor case of hair algae on my substrate and would like to get rid of it what is the best snail or crab for the job?

 

[katfish]

Emerald Green Cran,Worked wonders for me

 

[mlm]

Is it red hair or green hair?

 

[don berry]

Turbo snails will mow it down quicker than anything.

 

[mlm]

I think that the trochus do a better job. A lot more expensive than turbos but they do a much better job.

 

[ruaround]

I would have to agree with snails. Astrea or turbo will work well!!!

 

[david s]

mexican turbo"s are awsome and black turbo is great too if u can find them as far as crabs i like scarlet blue legs get in too much trouble lol <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[ubeturwrasse]

water changes will work for you as well. the hair algae is caused by excess nutrients in the water. be careful to not overfeed and reduce your lighting slightly. add a few hermits and snails, do more frequent water changes and you will be good to go.

 

[david s]

if you are doing water changes make sure you are useing ro/di water as tap water could have nitrate and phosphates that is what hair algie feed on if phosphate is a problem they make a spounge that can go in sump or on a powerhead that works great as for nitrate water change with ro/di works good

 

[@]

the color is not real red or green its more of a brown. alos i do use di water. and have turbos astreas scarlets and blue leg hermit crabs and snail. but hey are not doing there job.

 

[algea eater]

i once had a severe case of hair algea bought to astrea snails and within days they cleared up the algea,go for the snails <img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" />

 

[david s]

I know exactly what U mean I am in the same boat were my tank is new the green will turn brown and then they kinda eat other stuff i have been keeping my phosphate down and watching my nitrate is your calcium and alk ok for your coraline to start getting the upper hand ??

 

[ubeturwrasse]

are you sure you are not going thru a diatom bloom? this is a normal occurrance in a young (less than 2 years) tank. It is caused by poor water quality. again.. waterchanges will help this as well.