Brown Hair Algae

[jduong916]

I recently had to remove and acid wash all of my rocks due to vermetid snails. After about two weeks I've had some sort of brown hair algae grow on the rock. It's very fuzzy, and it has gotten quite thick or furry. Now tts not growing and when removed doesnt grow back. The only problem I have is that the turbo snails only eat a little at a time and seem like they have stopped going for it. I have two sea hares that barely seem to touch it as well. Will a wire brush work, or should i just add a whole bunch more turbos, I know at least half will die after they eat the algae. Please do not respond with lower your nitrates or phosphates, I have all of that in check. I just need a way to remove the algae as it is not growing back.

 

[Big G]

Do you have any fish in there? I'm thinking herbivores. My Starry Blenny eats hair algae like popcorn. Or a Foxface, Kole Tang, etc. Put some fish in there that work for you.

 

[jduong916]

Yeah I have three tangs and a starry, they pick at it, but no damage at all.

 

[Cory]

Sea urchins are moat likely to eat it

 

[Big G]

Is your algae short and kinda wiry?

 

[jduong916]

This isn't from my tank, but it looks like this. Mine is a bit longer.

 

[Big G]

Based on your description, looks like you have green turf algae. The color can vary quite a bit. Emerald Crabs will eat the stuff. Some say that low Alk gives it a boost and that raising your Alk slowly, along with the Emerald Crabs and maybe a bit of scraping takes care of this. Hope this helps.

 

[jduong916]

That doesn't look like turf algae to me

 

[jduong916]

well you might be right, after looking some more it does kinda look like green turf algae

 

[jduong916]

im not sure, it would be. This stuff isnt thick though, really filamentous.