hair algae cycle burn out

Dapple · Apr 11, 2012

My reef has been up and running for a little over 3 months. I had a lot of HA growing in my overflow box that I scrapped out. Some of it made it back to the display tank where a HA bloom has taken off. I think it is living off the nutrients in the rock. How long does this stuff take to burn off. I'm going to beef up the snail side of my CUC.

prsnlty · Apr 11, 2012

I don't see anything about your system but you need a phosban reactor and media for phosphates to start with. Have you tested for phosphates? What are your nitrate levels? I have had my tank running a month longer than you and had the same problem. I also have granulated carbon running and bio pellets in a reactor along with dosing microbactor7 and vodka. The bio pellets, microbactor and vodka have, after 1 month, along with 30 gal a week (I have a 125g tank) water changes brought my nitrates to 0. But the HA persists. I have scrubbed all rocks that I am able to and rinsed with fresh water. (DO NOT scrub them in your main tank - get a bucket and fill with tank water) then return to DT. Lower the intensity or time your lights are on by at least 25%. This will also help speed up the process.

prsnlty · Apr 11, 2012

I also meant to mention.... The reason the HA still persists is because I used my phosban reactor for the bio pellets because I was in a hurry to start the treatment, now I'm waiting on a new one to arrive. It was a mistake to take it off my system in the first place and just should have waited for the new one to start the bio pellets. The combination of the 2 will definitely kill the HA and a little maintenance to help it along. The snails will not eat it all in my experience and it will return if you don't get rid of both the NO3 and PO4. It needs it to live.

Mike&Terry · Apr 15, 2012

Dapple, can you please post your water parameters?
We need to know your NO3, PO4, and Mg levels in particular.

mcarroll · Apr 16, 2012

Dapple said:
My reef has been up and running for a little over 3 months. I had a lot of HA growing in my overflow box that I scrapped out. Some of it made it back to the display tank where a HA bloom has taken off. I think it is living off the nutrients in the rock. How long does this stuff take to burn off. I'm going to beef up the snail side of my CUC.

What is your reason to suspect the rock?

Typically algae like this is from stocking the tank too fast and maybe too much as well (with the commensurate feeding to match). Leave your critters hungry after every feeding, and usually feeding every other day or less is recommended. (There are a few exceptions.)

Lighting of 6 hours per day or less would be recommended, 4 as a regular minimum. One to three days of darkness can help dent the algae without stressing coral much/at all.
More nutrient removal is also needed - CUC does not help much with this, just with keeping new growth down.
More/bigger water changes.
Manually removing as much hair every day as possible (toothbrush+siphon hose are a proven combo). At least every day that you can see new growth.
If you don't run a skimmer, start. If you aren't cleaning it every day or close, start. If you aren't wet skimming, start.

A little carbon and phosphate media will help once you get the algae on the decline - don't over-do it.

-Matt

Dapple · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks for your help all.
Water changes are more frequent now.
Plus manually removing the algae via siphon.
Mag and hardness was a little low. Dosing has started.

The overfeeding was a main cause. Now I feed every other day.

pumarjr · Apr 16, 2012

Good habits are sometimes learned the hard way, that way you know both sides. G/L

Steven R · Apr 16, 2012

what type of water are you adding to the system for changes (ro/di) tap water Etc. how are you adding food to the system? do you rinse the food then soak it or do you just throw it in the system. Believe it or not food can really drive chemicals and algae if not prepared properly.. Also snails really wont touch HA some hermits will Sea hairs will eat HA but you have to be kind of careful with them. And only get one if you decide to get a sea hair all they do is eat and eat and eat so they can and will start to starve if the food (algae) is gone. You could see if you LFS has one you could use, if not bluezoo has a good deal on alypsia seahares and when he is done you could take him to the LFS for credit or ship him to someone else with A HA problem. Thats what I did. And this is just my two cents good luck

Dapple · Apr 17, 2012

I use a BRS 5 stage rodi unit for top off. I think the algae bloom occurred when I overfed the tank in combination of poor flow from a weak powerhead. I now have a 1050 I'm there and it really stirs the detris up.