How do I KILL hair algae?

cam78

cam78

Active Member
I have hair algae growing in the same exact spots that I continuously remove just to re-pick it days later. The snail cannot clean it because the rock is too porus (spell?) and they keep falling off. I have "0" Phosphates and I do have phosphate remover in the canister filter. My flow is good and I only have my lights on for 8 hours a day.
Is there something I could do? Burn it, kill it, anything. Please. It is driving me nuts
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Yes, get a small toothbrush and put it in a bucket with saltwater and scub it real good. That should give the algae eaters a chance to keep it under control.
I have hermit crabs and a sally light foot in my algae army, a snail is no match for the agility of a crab.
 
cam78

cam78

Active Member
I had hermit crabs, all they did was eat my snails. Personally I hate them and only find them to be annoying. Wish I had all the success everyone talks about with crabs.
 
number1gsxxr

number1gsxxr

Member
In the past I have used blue-spotted sea hare and algae blenny aka lawnmower blenny which each lived about 2 weeks tops. Currently I have a tuxedo urchin which I've had for about a month. The sea hare can ink when threatened and I believe I read somewhere that the ink is toxic; althought mine never inked. I like the urchin best since it scrapes the rock and really gets every last piece of hair algae.
Since I added a phosphate and carbon reactor though I have not had any hair algae return or any algae for that matter. I was getting 0 readings too before I added the reactor but the phosphates can be tied up in the system and give you 0 readings. I would try adding more phosphate-removing media or it might need replacing. GFO is expensive but I can't believe how much nicer my tank looks after running the reactor.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
http:///forum/post/3023398
I had hermit crabs, all they did was eat my snails. Personally I hate them and only find them to be annoying. Wish I had all the success everyone talks about with crabs.

What about a sally? They don't eat snails do they? I have lots of snails and hermits
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
if u want a quick solution, then a dolebella sea hare from this site will eat it. afterward, u need to supplement its feeding or it will starve.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
If it's bryopsis then adding Tech-M and keeping your magnesium around 1500 will get rid of it pretty quickly.
-Justin
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
http:///forum/post/3023364
Then aren't I going to have to recycle the rock? Is there any other option?
NO Your rock will colonize bacteria and algae naturally and you will be sure you rid yourself of hair algae. what do you mean by recycle
 
G

g_tank120

Guest
Depending on the size of your tank. I bought a sailfin tang and the hair algea was gone that same day that I put him in there. Not sure it's the best solution but for me it was the quickest.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by G_tank120
http:///forum/post/3023849
Depending on the size of your tank. I bought a sailfin tang and the hair algea was gone that same day that I put him in there. Not sure it's the best solution but for me it was the quickest.
I got a blue spotted Kole Tang that got rid of mine. However tank size and other occupants come into play as a solution for others.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
IMO once hair algae gets a foot hold in your tank it will be very difficult to eliminate. Algae eating fish will do a good job of keeping your algae cropped if in fact they take a likening to hair algae. again I must say to completely eliminate it from your rock bleaching is one of the ways to positively accomplish that
 
oceansidefish

oceansidefish

Active Member
I would have to agree that the Dolabella sp. of sea hare is a good bet, I have one, they are actually facinating little creatures. I love to have the odd things in my tank personally. It is interesting to watch them suck up the algae...
 
cam78

cam78

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3023649
NO Your rock will colonize bacteria and algae naturally and you will be sure you rid yourself of hair algae. what do you mean by recycle
I mean if I bleach the rock won't it create another cycle inside my tank? I meant does the rock have to be cured after I do such a thing? Sorry, not recycled
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
I used to have a touch of hair algae but one day I got a coral that came with a little emerald crab. He immediately went to work and I haven't had any hair algae or bubble algae for that matter...in a long long time. Now, if your case is more severe, I doubt a few emerald crabs will be able to handle it. It seems as though it isn't a huge problem for you. Just spitting out suggestions. Honestly I wouldn't mess with a sea hare especially in a smaller tank like that. If for some reason the crab doesn't do a good job, they are reef safe and really fun to watch.
 
cam78

cam78

Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/3023594
If it's bryopsis then adding Tech-M and keeping your magnesium around 1500 will get rid of it pretty quickly.
-Justin
What is this? Bryopsis? Never heard of it.
 
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