how to control hair algae in planted/macroalgae display

[dputt88]

so i have a 60 gal cube tied onto my 240 display. they both share a sump. and i have having hair algae issues in the 60 cube which has mangroves and an assortment of macroalgae. i was curious if anyone has any suggestions on what to do to control hair algae and not harm all of my desirable algaes. also given that it is tied into a reef system any suggestion must also be reef safe.

tough question i know but worth a shot

 

[ihavecrabs]

Anything you can do to provide the edge to your desirable macros would be my recommendation.

• Manual removal of GHA
• Ensure the macros have nitrates, phosphates, and iron to grow (as GHA will likely out compete them in a low/no nutrient environment

 

[BestMomEver]

I have macro in a makeshift refugium in my sump, but because of the light, I also have GHA. It basically serves the same purpose as the macro algae. I leave it there. I guess if I had it in a place where I looked at it all the time I might feel the need to remove it. If the purpose is nutrient export, can you just leave it there?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I have macro in a makeshift refugium in my sump, but because of the light, I also have GHA. It basically serves the same purpose as the macro algae. I leave it there. I guess if I had it in a place where I looked at it all the time I might feel the need to remove it. If the purpose is nutrient export, can you just leave it there?

I understand being okay with GHA, but I would recommend pulling it when possible. If something is off in the tank and the macro isn't able to grow as fast, the GHA can take over.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

so i have a 60 gal cube tied onto my 240 display. they both share a sump. and i have having hair algae issues in the 60 cube which has mangroves and an assortment of macroalgae. i was curious if anyone has any suggestions on what to do to control hair algae and not harm all of my desirable algaes. also given that it is tied into a reef system any suggestion must also be reef safe.

tough question i know but worth a shot

What type of macroalgaes do you have in the 60 cube? I would recommend getting a large cleanup crew in there. If you can tell me what macroalgaes you have, I might be able to make a recommendation on the clean up crew.

 

[dputt88]

I have caulerpa prolifera, dragons breath, red razor, red barb, dragons toungue and a purple gorg. there used to be more but the GHA choked them out. i plan on adding seafans, blue ochtodes, neomeris, and acetalbularia in the future (after i get GHA under control)

I do manually remove it when i can but im looking for a more hands off approach.

 

[BestMomEver]

What type of macroalgaes do you have in the 60 cube? I would recommend getting a large cleanup crew in there. If you can tell me what macroalgaes you have, I might be able to make a recommendation on the clean up crew.

Hey! I have chaeto that isn’t growing well at all. I purchased a aquarium breeder box and mounted it in the sump using a magnet then put the chaeto in it. The light I have mounted on the sump has been great at growing GHA on the walls of part of the sump. I do pull it off if it gets too dense. I have no algae in the display tank except for the occasional green film on the glass. It’s easy to remove. I do need a cleanup crew and actually have some sitting in my “cart” on your website!

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Hey! I have chaeto that isn’t growing well at all. I purchased a aquarium breeder box and mounted it in the sump using a magnet then put the chaeto in it. The light I have mounted on the sump has been great at growing GHA on the walls of part of the sump. I do pull it off if it gets too dense. I have no algae in the display tank except for the occasional green film on the glass. It’s easy to remove. I do need a cleanup crew and actually have some sitting in my “cart” on your website!

How much flow do you have in the breeder box? You need decent flow to make sure the chaeto has access to nutrients.

Trochus and urchins are fantastic for GHA.