algae id

[Zxknight]

what is this stuff and how do i get rid of it?
its only in a few spots in the tank.

 

[GBRsouth]

It's green hair algae. You can pick it off yourself to help reduce it while you look into which clean up crew members or herbivore fish will eat it for you. I don't know what size your tank is, but if big enough, foxface fish have a good reputation for eating it. Also test your nitrates and phosphates if you're not already, as they help it grow.

 

[ThunderGoose]

Yep, hair algae. Emerald Crabs will make short work of it. I know some people fear crabs like the plague but I've found them to be a good part of the clean up crew. I do target feed mine, now that the algae is under control, to make sure it stays well behaved.

 

[Zxknight]

It's green hair algae. You can pick it off yourself to help reduce it while you look into which clean up crew members or herbivore fish will eat it for you. I don't know what size your tank is, but if big enough, foxface fish have a good reputation for eating it. Also test your nitrates and phosphates if you're not already, as they help it grow.

its a 90 gallon tank, and nitrates and phosphates are at .0

 

[Flippers4pups]

Tank looks young. How long has it been running?

 

[Zxknight]

Tank looks young. How long has it been running?

9 months

 

[Flippers4pups]

Going through the "uglies", expected. What's your water parameters and what else is in the tank right now?

 

[Zxknight]

Going through the "uglies", expected. What's your water parameters and what else is in the tank right now?

I have
2 green chromis
3 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 fire fish
phosphate .0
ph 8.4
no2 .0
no3 .0
salinity 1.024
temp 77.6
alk and ca were tested by my LRS and was told they were both fine.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Are you keeping corals?

 

[Zxknight]

Are you keeping corals?

1 hammer
4 zoanthid frags

 

[Big G]

From Reef Cleaners.com: Green Hair Algae: Clean Up Crew- Assorted Hermits, Blue Legs, Florida Ceriths, Chitons, Turbograzers, Sea Hares, Conchs, Emerald Crabs, Urchins and a few others. It is readily accepted by many herbivores, but because it grows quickly it may persist even in a tank with a fair amount of cleaners.

I can vouch for the Hermits and Florida Ceriths eating GHA. They eat it as fast as it pops up. The Hermits generally eat the GHA on rocks; while the Ceriths take care of the GHA on the glass. I like'm.

 

[Zxknight]

i think i might try out a Emerald Crab and see hot that works out.

 

[minus9]

Emeralds are hit & miss and one isn't going to do anything serious. You're better off getting things that have a good track record eating nuisance algae and are an overall benefit to your tank. Honestly, I would e-mail John @ reefcleaners and get a CUC package. If you don't have a CUC, then I would strongly advise getting one soon before it becomes a problem. I tend to have more snails than hermits myself. Either way, a CUC is the way to go.
On a side note, if you're going to keep corals, then it's probably a good idea to start testing your own water.
Good luck!

 

[SnapBackReeef]

Looks like hair algae. I would get a bunch of emeralds they might take care of it. pick off as many as you can scrub your rocks and do some water changes.