Hair algae problem

[jmoney7]

I am new to saltwater reef tanks and I have a 13.5 gallon fluval about 3 months old. I am dealing with a huge hair algae problem it went away and then came back again pretty hard I change the water weekly and my phosphates and nitrates are pretty low is it just ugly stage of tank?

 

[Spare time]

Add some giant turbo snails, maybe an emerald crab, and other clean up crew members. If its horrendous, try flux rx. You can also scrub it off with a toothbrush or something and siphon it out.

 

[jmoney7]

Here is a picture

 

[jmoney7]

Are emerald crabs good at getting rid of hair algae also I already have 2 hermits and 4 trochus snails

 

[Spare time]

Are emerald crabs good at getting rid of hair algae also I already have 2 hermits and 4 trochus snails

Yes. Emeralds and giant turbo snails are my recommendations

 

[jmoney7]

A lot of things say emerald crabs are not reef safe have you had any problems with them eating or picking at coral.

 

[Spare time]

A lot of things say emerald crabs are not reef safe have you had any problems with them eating or picking at coral.

Never had a problem.

 

[MnFish1]

Here is a picture

First - that is not a lot of algae compared to some - second - yes - add something that eats that algae - I would suggest you contact reef cleaners and ask for their recommendations (Not affiliated).

 

[MnFish1]

Nice tank btw. And Welcome to R2R

 

[kevgib67]

I, as well, have never had a problem with emerald crabs and have had them in my tanks for most of the 18 years I’ve been in this hobby. Hard workers, non stop picking and eating algae off my rocks.

 

[MnFish1]

I, as well, have never had a problem with emerald crabs and have had them in my tanks for most of the 18 years I’ve been in this hobby. Hard workers, non stop picking and eating algae off my rocks.

Never had a problem - they tend to clean up problems rather than cause them

 

[anthonymckay]

It's worth mentioning that manual removal of as much as you can is an important first step in battling hair algae. Most of the livestock that eat hair algae wont touch it if it's long thick tufts. I had the best luck with pulling as much as I could, using a toothbrush to scrub it off rocks during a water change. And THEN introducing stuff like Mexican turbo snails and a sea hare. Just make sure you also tackle the root problem of excess nutrients as well or it'll likely all just come back.

 

[MnFish1]

It's worth mentioning that manual removal of as much as you can is an important first step in battling hair algae. Most of the livestock that eat hair algae wont touch it if it's long thick tufts. I had the best luck with pulling as much as I could, using a toothbrush to scrub it off rocks during a water change. And THEN introducing stuff like Mexican turbo snails and a sea hare. Just make sure you also tackle the root problem of excess nutrients as well or it'll likely all just come back.

Correct - a person can do it deliberately - a crab/fish/etc - is random

 

[exnisstech]

Natural progression of things. Time to add your cleanup crew. I like Mexican turbo snails when I don't have loose frags that can get pushed around. There isn't enough algae there for a sea hare, it would starve.
You said your new so I'll mention that IMO algae is natural and not some terrible evil that many folks make it out to be. Taking drastic measures (chems) early in the game can cause more problems than cures. You didn't say anything like that I'm just saying in case you get tempted

 

[kevgib67]

Never had a problem - they tend to clean up problems rather than cause them

I have never understood the bad rap. I feel like someone, a long time of go had one go rogue and people just kept spreading it.

 

[jmoney7]

Thank you for all the replies this helps a lot!