Hair Algae

clownvalk3 · Dec 26, 2017

I am really getting frustrated I have hair algae all over the sand and glass that I can’t get rid of. I have done water changes and got different clean up crew and nothing works. Please advise.

Crabs McJones · Dec 26, 2017

clownvalk3 said:
I am really getting frustrated I have hair algae all over the sand and glass that I can’t get rid of. I have done water changes and got different clean up crew and nothing works. Please advise.

What are your parameters? Are you using ro/DI water for water changes? How much are you feeding, and what are you stocking in the tank? And what filtration are you using?

Undertaker · Dec 26, 2017

I used fluconazole to remove mine. Work great. Read up on it. You can purchase it at Payless pet supplies

Livinlocal · Dec 26, 2017

Your main objective should be getting your water parameters in line, but meanwhile you could get a Seahare to eat the hair algae

clownvalk3 · Dec 27, 2017

crabs_mcjones said:
What are your parameters? Are you using ro/DI water for water changes? How much are you feeding, and what are you stocking in the tank? And what filtration are you using?

My filter is a FX4, I have some hermits, snails, 3 emerald crabs, conch. I only have 2 clowns and a firefish and I feed every other day. I use regular tap water.

jpcrash1 · Dec 27, 2017

Tap water is putting phosphates in your water causing your algae. You need to do your water changes with r/o water. Get some turbo snails to help for now. I have tried to use tap water before and had same problem.

Crabs McJones · Dec 27, 2017

clownvalk3 said:
My filter is a FX4, I have some hermits, snails, 3 emerald crabs, conch. I only have 2 clowns and a firefish and I feed every other day. I use regular tap water.

Your issue is a combination of tap water and the fx4. Tap water contains alot of nutrients (phosphate, nitrates, ammonia, chlorine) along with heavy metals (copper, lead) and the hair algae is feeding off of these nutrients. And canister filters are known to become nitrate factories unless they're constantly cleaned (and when I say constantly I'm talking every 5 to 7 days) I would start doing water changes with ro/DI water either purchase a unit for your home or buy some from your LFS and keep that canister filter spotless, and you'll see your hair algae start to go away

clownvalk3 · Dec 27, 2017

jpcrash1 said:
Tap water is putting phosphates in your water causing your algae. You need to do your water changes with r/o water. Get some turbo snails to help for now. I have tried to use tap water before and had same problem.

I have turbo snails in there now. Now that I bought a house I need to look into putting r/o water in my basement, I am not sure what I am doing when it comes to that though.

Ghostcat · Dec 27, 2017

Most lfs sell ro/di water. I've found using a toothbrush Paired with a good cuc effective for algae removal

clownvalk3 · Dec 27, 2017

Ghostcat said:
Most lfs sell ro/di water. I've found using a toothbrush Paired with a good cuc effective for algae removal

What is CUC?

mcarroll · Dec 27, 2017

What size tank is this?
How old is it?
Can you post a current picture?

clownvalk3 said:
My filter is a FX4

As mentioned earlier, this is OK only if kept clean....usually weekly. Otherwise, remove all the mechanical filtration from it.

clownvalk3 said:
I have some hermits

Hermits eat snails – how many do you have?

clownvalk3 said:
snails

How many and what kind?

clownvalk3 said:
3 emerald crabs

Almost surely too many in the long run. How big are they?

clownvalk3 said:
conch

No help....I think they're primarily detritavores.

clownvalk3 said:
I use regular tap water.

If it's easy enough, just switch to RODI. Consider the Spectrapure refurb model – comes with what you need. Call them with any questions about your specific install.

Ghostcat · Dec 27, 2017

Cuc- clean up crew

Luna · Dec 28, 2017

Have algae issue as well so I ran out and got a lawnmower blenny. I think he is doing the job my algae isn’t everywhere anymore.

clownvalk3 · Dec 28, 2017

mcarroll said:
What size tank is this? 75 gal
How old is it? 1 year and a couple months
Can you post a current picture?

As mentioned earlier, this is OK only if kept clean....usually weekly. Otherwise, remove all the mechanical filtration from it. It was fully clean and filters replaced 2.5 months ago.

Hermits eat snails – how many do you have? 10 or so red leg hermits

How many and what kind? 7 turbo snails

Almost surely too many in the long run. How big are they? They aren’t very big a lot little bigger then a quarter.

No help....I think they're primarily detritavores.

If it's easy enough, just switch to RODI. Consider the Spectrapure refurb model – comes with what you need. Call them with any questions about your specific install.

I will look into it.