eric b 125
Active Member
I ordered Phosphate Rx and 3 containers of GFO. I also got an automatic feeder bc I want anthias.
I didn't even know about using it for hair algae until 10 mins ago, lol. I've read about it working for bryopsis, but not H.A.Not some Kent tech-M?
Hair algae feeds primarily on phosphates and nitrates. I suspect that phosphates are leeching out of my LR. I had it stored in heated/circulating water in a few Rubbermaid cans for several months. I'm guessing one of those cans got cold or stagnant for a period of time causing die-off and I didn't realize.Hair Algea feeds on magnesium?
The algae pattern on your rocks is consistent with those I've seen from rocks that have been exposed to high ammonia levels.Hair
I'm going to use Phosphate Rx (lanthanum chloride) which binds to phosphates so they can be removed by the skimmer. This will not remove the phosphates from my rocks (assuming that that's where the source is). Phosphates will still slowly leech out of them. My hope is that a low dose of Phosphate Rx will pull the phosphates from the water column and the GFO will be able to maintain the phosphates that continue to leech until the rocks are phosphate free.
I put all of the rocks from my old system, roughly 150#'s into two of my designated 32 gallon trash cans. Each with a heater and Koralia 4. Then I eventually added 40#'s of new Marco Rocks. They sat this way for several months with water changes.The algae pattern on your rocks is consistent with those I've seen from rocks that have been exposed to high ammonia levels.
How did you cook your rocks? Not that it matters now but I'm interested.
I'm going to add the Phosphate Rx on Monday when it gets delivered. On Tuesday I'm going to do a 30 gallon water change and will add chaeto to my sump and change and increase the amount of GFO in my reactor.I had that same problem in a 110g one time. I used an algae scrubber and it went away completely in 45 days and it started pulling grey/white phosphate out of the rocks. It was really neat to watch.
Sounds like you have a plan. I hope it works.
I know erythromycin will kill Cyanobacter. I had no idea it affected hair algae. Interesting.Woohoo!
Ever read about using erythromycin to kill hair algae? I read it in one of my books recently. i dunno, it might be something to look at. Though, I'm pretty sure the Chems you bought will do the trick. I've never messed with lanthanum chloride,... I'm kinda anxious to find out if it works really well.
+1I know erythromycin will kill Cyanobacter. I had no idea it affected hair algae. Interesting.
That's a GoPro camera. I've had it for a while and I just leave it on my table.What's that thing on the far right??