Hair Algae, Turf ALgae, or other???? Help!

Agsellers04 · Jul 28, 2020

This stuff has been sprouting up all over in the past few weeks. My nitrate levels are not very high at about 10-15 PPM, no ammonia, no nitrite. Phosphorous is also low.

Is this har algae or turf algae? Any suggestions on what can devour this stuff. My crabs ans snails are not taking care of it. I have about every type of snail that is supposed to eat algae. I have emerald crabs, all types of hermits as well.

Only thing I can think is this started about the time a added a hang-on-back skimmer to my system. Should I run it 12 on and 12 off maybe?

Webslinger · Jul 28, 2020

hair algae, run skimmer 24/7. fresh water black mollies love it

Jmasonreef · Jul 28, 2020

Looks like hair algae. Clean up crew of snails and Tangs.

Agsellers04 · Jul 28, 2020

Jmasonreef said:
Looks like hair algae. Clean up crew of snails and Tangs.

It is a 55 gal. Is that big enough for a tang?

Webslinger · Jul 28, 2020

bristol tooth...yes...or any other if small enough and re-home when it outgrows your tank. don't listen to the police. BLM

i mean ALM

Ariellorca · Jul 28, 2020

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Agsellers04 said:
This stuff has been sprouting up all over in the past few weeks. My nitrate levels are not very high at about 10-15 PPM, no ammonia, no nitrite. Phosphorous is also low.

Is this har algae or turf algae? Any suggestions on what can devour this stuff. My crabs ans snails are not taking care of it. I have about every type of snail that is supposed to eat algae. I have emerald crabs, all types of hermits as well.

Only thing I can think is this started about the time a added a hang-on-back skimmer to my system. Should I run it 12 on and 12 off maybe?

+1 for green hair algae, try an algae turf skimmer and check your nitrates and phosphates

BighohoReef · Jul 28, 2020

Worse case scenario try using reef flux (fluconazole). My clean up crew wasn’t cutting it and my tang was only eating the smaller chunks. Actually I wouldn’t even call this worse case I’d just do it if it’s getting out of hand. Makes sure you read the instructions it is a 14 day treatment. I’ve done two back to back... 14 days 1 day water change and settle then, another 14 days and a water change. The tank is clean and clear of GHA or any other type of hairy algae.

Agsellers04 · Jul 28, 2020

BighohoReef said:
Worse case scenario try using reef flux (fluconazole). My clean up crew wasn’t cutting it and my tang was only eating the smaller chunks. Actually I wouldn’t even call this worse case I’d just do it if it’s getting out of hand. Makes sure you read the instructions it is a 14 day treatment. I’ve done two back to back... 14 days 1 day water change and settle then, another 14 days and a water change. The tank is clean and clear of GHA or any other type of hairy algae.

Thanks I will look into this

BighohoReef · Jul 28, 2020

Agsellers04 said:
Thanks I will look into this

There are a few threads on the usage. It’s made to treat byopsis but a lot of the threads mention that it helps eliminate GHA which it has for my tank.