Could It be my water causing the hair algae?

[gizzo12]

Hello, I have been using RO water from my LFS because they said the DI is too expensive to sell. I was paying 0.70/gal for this too. I recently found another LFS (not as close but still only 20 min) that sells RODI for 0.50/gal and you can imagine i’m going to get it from there from now. Anyways, I’ve been struggling with hair algae and nothing seems to be helping and then I realized it could be the RO water i’ve been using instead of RODI. Any one to back this up or any thoughts?

 

[TriggerFinger]

That is very likely what’s happening and it’s pretty bogus of the LFS who only sells RO for .70/g. .50/g is the normal price for DI water at every fish store I’ve been to.

 

[Texas Rick]

Most will ask for your water Parameters. It will help with what’s going on. I have been battling with hair algae for awhile. I have also been using RO but will be switching to RODI. I’ve also changed my lighting schedule. It has helped me by a lot. I was doing 12 hour days. I have reduced it to 6 to 7 hours a day and added a T5 hybrid lights. I was only using a kessil 160. I can tell you. The hair algae has been greatly reduced and it’s no longer growing hair Algae after changing my lighting schedule.

 

[SPR1968]

You would be better getting your own RODI unit and making your own 0 TDS water in the long run, but I appreciate this sometimes isn’t an option.

DI resin isn’t expensive and produces good 0 TDS water, but I can imagine an LFS using a lot of it to produce the water, so not using it would save them money.

GHA is often caused by raised phosphate levels which it uses as a food source, and your correct the water your using could well be the source of your issues.

 

[gizzo12]

You would be better getting your own RODI unit and making your own 0 TDS water in the long run, but I appreciate this sometimes isn’t an option.

DI resin isn’t expensive and produces good 0 TDS water, but I can imagine an LFS using a lot of it to produce the water, so not using it would save them money.

GHA is often caused by raised phosphate levels which it uses as a food source, and your correct the water your using could well be the source of your issues.

I really wish I could get my own but the way my house (parents house) is set up it wouldn’t work too well and they don’t like the idea of it for some reason which sucks

 

[gizzo12]

That is very likely what’s happening and it’s pretty bogus of the LFS who only sells RO for .70/g. .50/g is the normal price for DI water at every fish store I’ve been to.

I know I found it shocking that they were charging that much

 

[Texas Rick]

I forgot to mention. I’ve also added GFO. But it will take on your part to clean up. As you take changes. Brush some off or remove it from your rock or sand as your siphoning when doing a water change. It will slow the growth GHA. Also try to stay away from white light. I have left 2 little patches of GHA in my tank to see the progress of my work. And I can tell you it has not grown past from what they are already at.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I really wish I could get my own but the way my house (parents house) is set up it wouldn’t work too well and they don’t like the idea of it for some reason which sucks

If you can convince your parents that it’s ok to have an rodi unit then we can help you figure out a convenient way to hook it up. There are many ideas on here for portable units that are taken down after each use so they aren’t in anyone’s way or take up space. If not then stick to the other store that has rodi for .50/g.

 

[gizzo12]

Most will ask for your water Parameters. It will help with what’s going on. I have been battling with hair algae for awhile. I have also been using RO but will be switching to RODI. I’ve also changed my lighting schedule. It has helped me by a lot. I was doing 12 hour days. I have reduced it to 6 to 7 hours a day and added a T5 hybrid lights. I was only using a kessil 160. I can tell you. The hair algae has been greatly reduced and it’s no longer growing hair Algae after changing my lighting schedule.

I just reduced mine to 10 hours to start and turned the whites down too. Hopefully this and switching to rodi will help resolve this thanks!

 

[gizzo12]

If you can convince your parents that it’s ok to have an rodi unit then we can help you figure out a convenient way to hook it up. There are many ideas on here for portable units that are taken down after each use so they aren’t in anyone’s way or take up space. If not then stick to the other store that has rodi for .50/g.

I will try thank you!