Hair Algae

[Reef GE]

What causes hair algae? Too much nitrate/phosphate or too few? Starting to see it pop up.

150 gal tank. Phosphate .04, Nitrates 0.0-.0125. Chaeto refugium which works VERY well

 

[Ludders]

Algae feeds off nutrients in our tanks for sure, but to use bryopsis as an example, this is usually introduced from an external source into our aquariums.

 

[Reef GE]

Yes, of course! I guess I misphrased the question:

What contributes to hair algae growth? Low nitrates and phosphates or high? I have an aquarium with minimal nitrates (.25) and .04 phosphates. Should I use Nopox to work on the hair algae or will this be counterproductive? Is it better to raise nitrates a bit instead?

I get VERY confused by all the conversation about Dinos, diatoms, hair algae, slime algae etc. -- some say dose nopox which lowers nitrates/phosphates, some say do the opposite and dose nitrates. -- which solution????!!!!

 

[Reef GE]

Algae feeds off nutrients in our tanks for sure, but to use bryopsis as an example, this is usually introduced from an external source into our aquariums.

I replied to this below....thanks for the response! I think I misphrased my original question.

 

[DeniableArc]

What type of clean up crew do you have? My yellow tang demolishes hair algae before it sees light. There are lots of reefers that have very reasonable nutrient levels like your self but have no cuc or good herbivores

 

[Reef GE]

What type of clean up crew do you have? My yellow tang demolishes hair algae before it sees light. There are lots of reefers that have very reasonable nutrient levels like your self but have no cuc or good herbivores

I have two scarlet shrimp and some small, small snails - no idea what they are, just small. Nothing else as far as cuc. My tank was purchased already set up and during the corona virus. In the country where I live, due to border restrictions in connection with the virus, we can't get ANY fish or invertebrates except clowns so I'm stuck with the cuc I have indefinitely. Even when the border opens it's difficult to find dealers who will import. (Central Asia)

I do have a sailfin tang that picks at bubble algae and some hair/brown algae. He could clean it all off if he wanted to, but lately has left the green algae alone. It's not out of control at all, but starting to sprout up in several places.

I cut back on white lighting and staying mostly blue for now. (RedSea LED90)

Also will try not feeding the sailfin as much. He goes right by some big clumps of hair algae and doesn't touch it for some reason. I've been feeding heavy for a couple weeks to try to keep my nitrates and phosphates above zero. Maybe he's getting fed too much.

I don't dose nopox because my levels are already low and I thought I was told that that would drop nitrates/phosphates to zero.

 

[DeniableArc]

I have two scarlet shrimp and some small, small snails - no idea what they are, just small. Nothing else as far as cuc. My tank was purchased already set up and during the corona virus. In the country where I live, due to border restrictions in connection with the virus, we can't get ANY fish or invertebrates except clowns so I'm stuck with the cuc I have indefinitely. Even when the border opens it's difficult to find dealers who will import. (Central Asia)

I do have a sailfin tang that picks at bubble algae and some hair/brown algae. He could clean it all off if he wanted to, but lately has left the green algae alone. It's not out of control at all, but starting to sprout up in several places.

I cut back on white lighting and staying mostly blue for now. (RedSea LED90)

Also will try not feeding the sailfin as much. He goes right by some big clumps of hair algae and doesn't touch it for some reason. I've been feeding heavy for a couple weeks to try to keep my nitrates and phosphates above zero. Maybe he's getting fed too much.

I don't dose nopox because my levels are already low and I thought I was told that that would drop nitrates/phosphates to zero.

A few things I have learnt about hair algae is that if there is free real estate on new rock or rock with out coralline it has no competition and can take off, the other is i notice that my tang will not eat long established hair algae but rather short fresh regrowth and if you can get a good look at the algae under white lights and it has a fern like structure it could be bryopsis and I that is a tough cookie and not sure if anything reliably eats that.