small ammount of hair algae *i think* growing on one rock

[kilofey]

Should I remove the rock and hope that's the end of it or is it one of those *where there's one there's more* kinda things
It would suck to dry out that rock cause it has a nice shape but if that would stop the problem I wouldn't mind. The algae isn't thick yet it looks like a mans hair that is starting to go bald... so its kinda sparse I suppose. I have only found it on this one rock, no where else.

 

[slice]

If it were me, I would take that rock out and scrub it off in used tank water (after a water change) and put it back in. Keep an eye on things and review your feeding amount/rinsing procedure.
I have a piece of rock that always seemed to be the first one to get any HA when I was going through that. It still gets a little fuzz sometimes when other rock does not. I *assume* there is something in it that leaches out a bit.

 

[flower]

LOL..I agree with Slice, if it's just one rock...pull it out and scrub it in saltwater. Check for phosphates and try and make sure you don't overfeed in order to prevent letting it get a foot hold.

 

[florida joe]

First of all you are not going to affect the shape of the rock by removing it. Take it out and bleach it. Why run the risk of not getting all the hair algae off. Better safe than sorry

 

[kilofey]

How do you bleach it? Sounds like a dumb question but should i soak it in a bucket of water with a small ammount of bleach? And for how long? I have a 75 gal tank with prolly 125-145 lbs of rock so im sure killing off the bacteria from one medium sized rock prolly wont start a mini cycle. Also, there is a little brown feather duster living on that rock. I really like him, is there anything i can do to ensure he doesnt die? Would it work if i just dip the H.A. infected part of the rock in boiling water instead of using bleach to avoid the feather duster getting killed.
Edit: i dont think it would physically change the shape of the rock if i removed it, at the time i was writing the question i was assuming if i dry the rock out that it would start a mini cycle because of the die off... then the more i thought about it, one medium sized rock prolly wont really matter

 

[florida joe]

You may have to sacrifice the duster. But try to remove it with your finger. As for the bleaching put one part bleach to 3 parts water in a bucket leave the rock in the solution for 30 minutes. Remove rock rinse well a few times fill bucket up again with fresh water add rock and a product to detoxify chlorine readily available at any pet store. And you are good to go. You can skip the last step just continue to rinse until you can no longer smell chlorine on the rock