Green hair algae

[domination2580]

What is an easy fast way to get rid of green hair algae?

 

[Humblefish]

Hermits/some snails will eat it, but you want to figure out where the source of the problem is coming from. Usually elevated nutrients, nitrates and/or phosphates.

Other possibilities:

Do you use RODI and if so, when was the last time you checked the TDS of your water?

How old are your bulbs?

Do you have enough flow going in the tank? Any dead spots where there is no flow?

 

[domination2580]

I have higher nitrates

 

[Humblefish]

I have higher nitrates

That's probably feeding the GHA. Gotta get them down.

 

[domination2580]

Ok

 

[Cameron]

I had an issue with nitrates, and while they're still a bit high, they're at a much lower level now. As I'm currently battling getting them down even further, I picked up a couple turbo snails to help combat the GHA that was already grown, and they're doing a spectacular job keeping the algae levels down. Although the nitrate levels are what needs to be addressed, the snails are at least making the tank look better while I get the nitrates under control.

 

[RMS18]

Once you have the nitrates under control you can use api algeafix to clean the tank up quick. Stuff worked very well for me but if you don't fix the source it will come back.

 

[domination2580]

Hmm....yeah they went down...I ended cleaning the sand bed and got my skimmer back up and running so they have been coming dow

 

[domination2580]

Any way way too get nitrates down? Preferably without a crap ton of water changes k

 

[Lenny_S]

Any way way too get nitrates down? Preferably without a crap ton of water changes k

1) highly porous live/dry rock. This will grow anaerobic bacteria that will process nitrate
2) refugium with macro algae or an algae scrubber
3) vodka/vinegar dosing. Provides a carbon source for aerobic bacteria to process nitrate (lots of articles on this)
4) bio pellet reactor. Similar concept to vodka dosing but more controlled
5) deep sand bed. Similar to #1
It would be a good idea to also remove phosphate with a media reactor.
I personally use a combination of #'s 1, 2, & 4 and I run GFO in a media reactor. It's worked really well for me.

 

[domination2580]

Hmm...I have the and bed, I have the rock, and I have the macro

 

[Lenny_S]

Hmm...I have the and bed, I have the rock, and I have the macro

How old/mature is your tank?

 

[domination2580]

Just about 8 months...the live sand is over 14 years

 

[Lenny_S]

That part of the nitrogen cycle usually kicks in around 6 months. Could still be establishing, or could be over feeding and/or too long a photo period.

 

[domination2580]

I have my lights on for 12 hours and then off 12 hours

 

[Lenny_S]

I have my lights on for 12 hours and then off 12 hours

That's a lot unless you have a very long ramp up/down like 3 hours or more each. Even then, yo really only want another 4-6 hours at full intensity.

 

[domination2580]

Hmm...they just turn on and off...they are t12 vho

 

[tswanso3]

I would cut back your lighting cycle. If removing the nutrients and shortening your light cycle doesn't work, I'd go get a Sea Hare from your LFS and let him eat the algae. One of those guys will have the algae gone in a few days.

 

[domination2580]

It's all over...and I don't have a lfs that carries saltwater...[emoji20]

 

[domination2580]

I don't think that the closest lfs can get a sea hare either...