Green hair algea

[dodgedk11]

I have had green hair algea for about 8 months now and cant seem to get rid of it. I just got done testing all my levels and they are good. 0 nitrates and 0 phosphate. I tried using vodka for awhile but I started to get cyno so i stoped that. I know I have a problem with my nutrients, they are too high. I only have a protein skimmer on my tank and it is 29 gallons. I do a water change every week and manually remove some of the algea. What should I do next, I was thinking about trying vinegar dosing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[twilliard]

Peroxide would be my first goto method of eradication

 

[dodgedk11]

Ok if I am going to use peroxide, how does this work?

 

[jsker]

You will need to dose 1ml per 10 gallons twice a day before the light come on and 30 minutes after the light turn off. you will do this for 14 days. for example I have 80 gals water volume and I dose 8ml before the lights come on and 8 ml 30 minutes after the lights turn all. You should start seeing results 6 days after you start dosing.

 

[twilliard]

It's relatively simple
Take the rock out that you want to treat.
Take a syringe and soak the algae with 3% h2o2.
Wait a few minutes and put back into the tank.
No need to rinse off as h2o2 is completely harmless to the tank

 

[jsin]

I agree with the h2o2 (peroxide) it works to kill algae. You can try a oxydator. (sochting oxydator). They release small doses on a regular basis. I got one from one of my lfs, the cultured reef, he has a website and ships also. The first time I tried h2o2 I was a little concerned about what other problems I would have but I stayed to a small dose of 1ml per 10 gallons every other day for a few weeks and it worked to kill off the hair algae.
Now when I get a frag on a plug with a bit of algae on it I just dip it in h2o2 and am good to go. Good luck

 

[dodgedk11]

I am definitely going to try the peroxide.

Also are you guys talking about dosing vinegar at 1ml per 10 gallons before the lights come on and after they go off?

 

[michaust]

Do you have any coral in your tank I've read that some corals like chalices don't react very good with h2o2

 

[dodgedk11]

yes I do have corals in my tank. I was just going to try the h202, I guess I will wait until I hear more.

 

[cmcoker]

I have chalices and they have been fine with the peroxide. A bubble gum monster and Miami hurricane, can't say on other chalice. My other coral, cuc, and fish have been fine and I've done up to 2ml/10gallon in one dose once daily.
Pulsing xenia has looked a bit upset but I want it to go away, so of course it recovers within a couple hours.
Check out the peroxide thread for more info.
Lysmata shrimp are known to be sensitive (cleaner shrimp) but my peppermint and pistol have been fine

 

[jsin]

All my corals have been fine and I also have used higher doses in the past without any losses to corals or inverts.

 

[domination2580]

So we are talking about hydrogen peroxide right?

 

[michaust]

So we are talking about hydrogen peroxide right?

Yes

 

[michaust]

I'm following because I to have an issue with hair algae I was also wondering if dosing the tank will effect chateo

 

[domination2580]

I'm following because I to have an issue with hair algae I was also wondering if dosing the tank will effect chateo

Great question. Would like to know as well

 

[cmcoker]

My cheato has done fine with the peroxide dosing.

 

[domination2580]

My cheato has done fine with the peroxide dosing.

Any certain peroxide or just the normal peroxide u get at walmart. Like the 3% one

 

[cmcoker]

I've used the hydrogen peroxide 3% from grocery store, I've read you should get the 30% from health food store because the stabilizers in the 3% can be bad.

I have no desire to mess with 30% so I have also been doing more water changes, 10% twice a week instead of weekly. I'm sure that's helping reduce the algae as well.

When I dose the peroxide, rather than just pouring it in, I use a 25ml syringe and a piece of rodi tubing. I lower my return pump speed and put my powerheads in fees mode and apply the peroxide to the heavier areas of algae. Wait ten minutes and turn my return back up and let the powerheads turn themselves back on.

Before water changes, I start a siphon into my sump with 1/2 inch tubing that is going into a 200micron felt sock. I siphon the algae, with the peroxide killing it it comes off in clumps.

I have been having success with this. The algae is greatly reduced. I have a batch of snails in qt that will be added soon so hopefully this battle will be over soon

 

[domination2580]

I've used the hydrogen peroxide 3% from grocery store, I've read you should get the 30% from health food store because the stabilizers in the 3% can be bad.

I have no desire to mess with 30% so I have also been doing more water changes, 10% twice a week instead of weekly. I'm sure that's helping reduce the algae as well.

When I dose the peroxide, rather than just pouring it in, I use a 25ml syringe and a piece of rodi tubing. I lower my return pump speed and put my powerheads in fees mode and apply the peroxide to the heavier areas of algae. Wait ten minutes and turn my return back up and let the powerheads turn themselves back on.

Before water changes, I start a siphon into my sump with 1/2 inch tubing that is going into a 200micron felt sock. I siphon the algae, with the peroxide killing it it comes off in clumps.

I have been having success with this. The algae is greatly reduced. I have a batch of snails in qt that will be added soon so hopefully this battle will be over soon

Is it a must to do wc after every dose? I understand if it just comes off in clumps but other than that is there a reason?

 

[cmcoker]

Is it a must to do wc after every dose? I understand if it just comes off in clumps but other than that is there a reason?

I dose daily, and do the siphoning before a water change. I am only doing water changes twice a week.

So I don't think you need to do a water change every time you dose h2o2. I don't know that extra water changes are even necessary but they make me feel better about the stabilizers in the 3% h2o2