Algae Has Taken Over

[lilbitreefer]

Ok guys So I have had this tank up about 3 years, around the 2 year mark I went on vacation had a friend watch the tank and ever since then I have been battling hair algae. The last 6 mo's I have gone to a "**** it" kind of mood and it has taken over. To the point of it being matted everywhere. While I guess it is keeping my nutrients down it's an eye sore. I have bought two urchins from algae barn and they are growing but not making much of a dent on the amount of algae. I have a few snails but they don't seem to care.
I have tried manually removing the algae daily and water changes but it doesn't seem to be doing much. Anyone have any thoughts? Maybe more clean up crew members?

 

[Reeferdood]

Well, a simple fix would be to use Vibrant. The nutrients in your system are likely taken up by the algae but unless you get a aggressive CUC you will have the algae. Those are 2 methods that will help you out.

 

[TessGlo]

How long have you been doing increased water changes?
Have you tested your water to see how high your nutrients are?
Has the flow over your rocks deteriorated/needs to be increased to stop waste from settling on rocks / creating dead areas and fueling algae?
I think emerald crabs are the only who will tackle hair algae once it has grown to that stage, in my experience.
Perhaps try Vibrant, looks like people have a lot of success, especially with the hairy stuff, and it adds no extra work.
Hope you find something that works and I'm sure others will have good suggestions as well.

 

[kirbuno]

Haven't tried Vibrant. Others have said it works so I'm sure it does. I used Reef Flux as recommended to me by my LFS. Worked very well. The algae was replaced by a cyano bloom but since I had already improved my water quality that went away in a few weeks. The only thing to consider is there was not much left for my algae grazers to eat, and it mostly took out my chaeto, and pod population as a result as well. Both fairly easy to replenish, and I wouldn't want to go back to the algae problem, just something to be aware of.

 

[Aaron-A2]

I got Vibrant to handle some bubble algae issues. Turned it white after a few weeks of use and eventually it just disappeared. I'm not sure how well it works on other forms of algae.

I would be curious to see what the source of nutrients is coming from. You stated that it was only after your friend looked after it did you start seeing algae problems. Even if they overfed for the duration of looking after the tank, it still shouldn't be a problem 6mo later.

What are your phosphates/nitrates? What form of nutrient export do you have?

 

[40B Knasty]

You probably got cyanobacteria from die off. So that would be normal.
For GHA, a Sea Hare could put a good dent in it. Just return it to the store when it is done cleaning up. 2 would be better. This is the natural way of getting GHA down. Not completely eradicated. You will just have to keep up with water changes and possibly bulk up your nutrients export.
I have used Bacter Clean M by Continuum before. It worked great. From experience it is something you have be diligent about. When the GHA is dying off. Do a water change with a smaller siphon hose. The suction will be stronger and if the GHA is getting weakened enough it will come right off the rocks. You will know when the GHA is malnourished. It will turn whitish.