Help - Hair Algae!!

[toogs]

I have a 125 gal reef tank with fish. I have been plagued with hair algae now for about 4-5 months. In desperation about 6 or 7 weeks ago I broke everything down and scrubbed the rock. Hair algae reappeared after about 5 weeks. Some basic info: Temperature consistently 76-77degreesF(I have a chiller). Replaced 2 UV lamps in sterilizers. Reduced illumination from 10 to 8 hrs/day. Cleaned Berlin protein skimmer completely 3 times. SG 1.022-1.024. PH 8.2-8.3. Calcium 400-450. Strontium 10-16 ppm. Alkalinity normal. Nitrite zero. Mg 1400. Iodine 0.01-0.02. Ammonia zero. Phosphate 0.5 or less. Nitrate less than 1ppm. 20% water change every 2 weeks with RO water. Fish and invertebrates all healthy. Trochus snails did not survive. Will I need to break down the reef again? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[mlm]

How old are your light bulbs? Your phosphates are a little high. Should try and keep them under 0.1. Try and get some blue leg hermits and some astrea snails to help control it. Try to feed you fish only 1 or 2 times a week.

 

[toogs]

I have 4x36" powercompact lamps, 2 blue, 2 white. They are about 9 months old. The hair algae appeared when the lamps were only three months old. I have arranged to pick up hermit crabs next Tuesday.

 

[birdy]

Well I am finally winning my battle against hair algae so I will tell you what I did, first I checked my makeup water and replaced all the filters and membranes in my RO/DI unit. Then I got all new light bulbs (I also have pc's). I started doing 10% wc's weekly and pulling out the hair algae by hand daily. I run a phosphate sponge once a week for 48hrs. I also upped my clean up crew big time, I like mexican trochus snails the best, also my emerald crab does a great job. I had about a 80% coverage of hair algae and now there are only a couple spots and they are smaller every day. Good luck, hope you get your under control soon.

 

[travis truman]

im thinking about getting an emerald crab myself.......but I think he'd starve to death

 

[toogs]

I bought 4 Emerald Crabs yesterday. Boy are they chowing down on the hair algae!! I also put in a phospate sponge. Hopefully we'll conquer this problem soon. Thanks for your help.