Need diatom/hair algae help

[JFT267]

I have my tank on direct sunlight and have I problems the key is to have the light off when the most sunlight is hitting

The light is not on during those hours

 

[Cal_stir]

I was battling hair algae and diatoms for months in my 260 gal mixed reef tank doing everything that the OP have discussed here and them some, except adding urchins and sea hares, to no avail. Tank is about 8 months old and was started with dead rock. Then I did 84 hours blackout, algae and diatoms gone, all fish and corals OK. Been about 3 weeks now, lighting is back to normal and tank looks great.

 

[JFT267]

I will go to LFS tomoorw and get Chemipure and a phosphate tester to see how bad it is. Will keep an eye for an emerald crab. If all else fails will probably end up doing black out.

 

[Malifry97]

The light is not on during those hours

That’s good

 

[Malifry97]

I will go to LFS tomoorw and get Chemipure and a phosphate tester to see how bad it is. Will keep an eye for an emerald crab. If all else fails will probably end up doing black out.

Ok good luck!

 

[vetteguy53081]

[QUOsTE="JFT267, post: 6576418, member: 118747"]
The tank gets occasional spotty sunlight through a door, but it depends on season, weather and time. Max 2 hrs durin summer months. Is this chemical reliable cause usually they end up makin stuff worse since i don't have a sump.

I've tried Vibrant, was a waste of time and money.
[/QUOTE]
Ive had Total success

 

[jeffchapok]

I haven't had much luck with emerald crabs eating GHA. I suggest turbo snails instead.

Pincushion urchins are very effective too, but I can't seem to keep one alive for more than a couple of weeks.

 

[Mykawl]

I use RO water, the tank maybe gets an hour or two of direct light during sunrise or sunset in varying spots it depends, but not even close to all day

This will continue to happen until you get ro/di water

 

[Malifry97]

I haven't had much luck with emerald crabs eating GHA. I suggest turbo snails instead.

Pincushion urchins are very effective too, but I can't seem to keep one alive for more than a couple of weeks.

 

[Malifry97]

This will continue to happen until you get ro/di water

False RO removes silicates and phosphates

 

[JFT267]

This will continue to happen until you get ro/di water

I use rodi water anyway, my typing error

 

[Malifry97]

Yes but once the algae runs out turbo snails will quickly die off

 

[JFT267]

Yes but once the algae runs out turbo snails will quickly die off

I believe I may have 2-3 astrea turbo snails at the moment. Not exactly sure if they are even turbo snails

 

[JFT267]

at the rate I am going with the algae they will last forever lol

Yes but once the algae runs out turbo snails will quickly die off

 

[Malifry97]

at the rate I am going with the algae they will last forever lol

You’d be surprised with turbo snails

 

[Malifry97]

I believe I may have 2-3 astrea turbo snails at the moment. Not exactly sure if they are even turbo snails

Yeah I’d say 5-6 as max for that algae and when it’s gone try to feed things like spiraling flakes and nori to the snails

 

[Cal_stir]

Tuxedo urchin probably not a good choice unless you want to move it around.

 

[Malifry97]

@JFT267 Please keep me posted throughout your battle with the algae I’ll be happy to provide any advice I can. Again PLEASE keep me posted

 

[JFT267]

@JFT267 Please keep me posted throughout your battle with the algae I’ll be happy to provide any advice I can. Again PLEASE keep me posted

will do

 

[Malifry97]

will do

Thanks very much