Hair Algae

[rfft2321]

Is there any issue with removing pieces of live rock to clean hair algae instead of trying to do it in the tank as it’s making a mess that way? I am working on the chemical end of why it’s happening and have a clean up crew but need to get these large amounts off.

 

[DE FISH]

Manual removal plus a decrease in phosphate and nitrate should remedy the problem plus cuc what’s your parameters ?

 

[rfft2321]

Manual removal plus a decrease in phosphate and nitrate should remedy the problem plus cuc what’s your parameters ?

My phosphates are fine… all other parameters are good. Is it ok to remove the rock from the tank in small increments and physically brush it off ?

 

[Lavey29]

You can scrub them with a toothbrush outside of the tank. Just expedite so they don't get dried out.

 

[rmorris_14]

Is there any issue with removing pieces of live rock to clean hair algae instead of trying to do it in the tank as it’s making a mess that way? I am working on the chemical end of why it’s happening and have a clean up crew but need to get these large amounts off.

No issue in removing.. it’s best to do it during a water change. Use the old tank water while you are working on the rocks. Wear eye protection and gloves. If you are scrubbing the rocks, it’s best to do it underwater (outside of the tank)

 

[rmorris_14]

I bought one of these, it comes in a pack of three at Lowe’s with steel and copper and this one is nylon. I like the little side to get in the crevices

 

[Lavey29]

Which you need to do is identify and correct the source of your GHA problem . It's nutrients, light, or flow issues. Typically nutrients and to much light to soon.

 

[rfft2321]

Which you need to do is identify and correct the source of your GHA problem . It's nutrients, light, or flow issues. Typically nutrients and to much light to soon.

 

[rfft2321]

Here’s my lighting

 

[Duffer]

What folks don’t realize when they nutrients are fine, when you get gha, most times your phosphates are high and getting a false reading, meaning the algea is consuming your phosphates and that’s why you get a low reading…I had the same issue and had a low reading for phosphates..started to manually remove and got an urchin, and quickly noticed my phosphates were sky high…phosphates bind to the rock and sand and your test results test what is in the water column

 

[Lavey29]

Here’s my lighting

That will help with GHA but if you have corals it's to low probably. Generally you just want to cut your duration time to about 6 hours with no white just blue and UV. This will slow GHA down and still give your corals what they need.

 

[Lavey29]

What folks don’t realize when they nutrients are fine, when you get gha, most times your phosphates are high and getting a false reading, meaning the algea is consuming your phosphates and that’s why you get a low reading…I had the same issue and had a low reading for phosphates..started to manually remove and got an urchin, and quickly noticed my phosphates were sky high…phosphates bind to the rock and sand and your test results test what is in the water column

How do you factor a chaeto refugium into this equation?

 

[damsels are not mean]

Predators are the solution to all algae issues and if the snails and other cuc you have can't tackle larger pieces that's where you come in. If you can remove rocks that makes it easier. Don't rush it, the rocks can be fine out of water.