New to hobby/ New 20g reef tank

KingFoster · Dec 30, 2013

Hi guys!
I am new to this hobby and quite frankly im in love with it already i think lol.:squigglemouth:. I recently got a 20gallon long aquarium, live sand and live rock from my friend who was taking his tank down. I have 3 blue leg hermit crabs, 2 red leg hermit crabs, 3 turbo snails, blastomussa merliti (i think thats how you spell it :tongue

coral, and one snowflake onyx clownfish. I have a hair algae problem i believe. If anyone has any tips or tricks to help me out the information would be greatly apperciated! Here is a link to a video i took of my tank so you can get a better look/idea of what im workin with. Everything seems to be doin awesome water is good and salinity is good too. But i got a case of the annoying and eye sore hair algae!!! Please help, and thanks for your time! [video=youtube_share;YKe7gQo_V9s]http://youtu.be/YKe7gQo_V9s[/video]

Waters · Dec 31, 2013

Welcome to the hobby! If you have hair algae issues, you most likely have high phosphates and/or nitrates. I don't know what your current maintenance schedule is, but I would suggest water changes (manually removing any algae that you can), running GFO, and possibly increasing your CUC to get a handle on the algae. Are you using RO/DI water or conditioned tap water? (you want to use RO/DI water or you will probably be fighting algae for the life of the tank) You could also try decreasing the amount of time your lights are on.

LPSGUY · Dec 31, 2013

Get a couple turbo snails, they plow through hair algae. Also what waters said above is accurate. You shouldnt have that much hair algae in the tank something is adding to it.

revhtree · Dec 31, 2013

Welcome to REEF2REEF! We're very glad you joined and hope that you will enjoy the forums, enter contest, start a tank thread, and just be a part of our family friendly community!

Start a new tank thread here: Member Tanks

Enter a FREE contest here: R2R Giveaway and Contest Forum

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

KingFoster · Dec 31, 2013

Waters said:
Welcome to the hobby! If you have hair algae issues, you most likely have high phosphates and/or nitrates. I don't know what your current maintenance schedule is, but I would suggest water changes (manually removing any algae that you can), running GFO, and possibly increasing your CUC to get a handle on the algae. Are you using RO/DI water or conditioned tap water? (you want to use RO/DI water or you will probably be fighting algae for the life of the tank) You could also try decreasing the amount of time your lights are on.

I got phosguard from the LFS today, i think im going to add to the CUC a little more and i will buy the rodi water from the LFS also from now on. Also going to look into geting a timer for the lights! Thanks waters.

KingFoster · Dec 31, 2013

LPSGUY said:
Get a couple turbo snails, they plow through hair algae. Also what waters said above is accurate. You shouldnt have that much hair algae in the tank something is adding to it.

I got 3 turbo snails and them suckers wont move a muscle! one did move but now there just chillin in one spot not fully open.. =/

KingFoster · Dec 31, 2013

revhtree said:
Welcome to REEF2REEF! We're very glad you joined and hope that you will enjoy the forums, enter contest, start a tank thread, and just be a part of our family friendly community!

Start a new tank thread here: Member Tanks

Enter a FREE contest here: R2R Giveaway and Contest Forum

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

Thanks

BDeVaney · Dec 31, 2013

Hello I am also new with a 20 gallon reef tank. I've had mine for a little over 3 months now. I have a slight hair algae problem that just started. Suggestions I have received were to buy an emerald crab (~7 bucks). They can take out larger pieces of algae better than hermits because they are much stronger. Also, to take care of any algae and waste on the sand and the lower parts of the rocks I would strongly recommend a conch snail. You only need 1 for a 20 gallon tank and they are work horses. They are not very fast but they do an extremely thorough job, also about 5 bucks. I have noticed that in my fairly new small tank that turbo snails will clean very well but they will not last too long. Mine have always loved the glass more than the rocks and when the glass is clean I have seen them die off. I think you should have at least 10 hermits, 1 conch snail, an emerald crab, and 1 more really cool guy I have found who will do a little bit of cleaning is the Tail Spot Blenny. There are actually a few Blennys out there that will eat green algae but I decided to go with this little guy. Fun fish to watch, great personality, very peaceful, will eat some algae, and though he is small he can get away from predators easily with his way to get into little holes/caves and he has a little bit of camouflage when he wants to use it. As far as chemicals to control this algae I do not know of any that can get rid of it but like you have heard one of the issues may be that you have phosphates. I have been able to stop my algae growth with Salifert's Phosphate Eliminator, however, it does not get rid of the existing algae. I am afraid to just dive in with a tooth brush and spread it around everywhere as well. My suggestion would be if u get that crew I have mentioned, cut down feeding quite a bit for a week and all of those guys will start feasting on the hair algae. If you feed them regularly they will go for your food and leave the hair algae untouched.