Problems with Green Hair Algae

[sdavi66572]

Been having problems with this green hair algae. What is the best way to get it under control.

Thanks
Steve

Alk - 6
Nitrates - 5
Phosphates - .5
PH - 8


5

 

[LetItReef]

My Params and Flow are good and I found out that mine causes too much light. The sun from the window plus Led Tank light. I made sure that I barely open the window and cut back on my lights. Could be a different situation on yours, somebody can chime in also.

 

[saltyphish]

Your phosphates are pretty high. Your problem is you have excess nutrients in the water. The numbers you posted are showing lower than they would without the algae because the algae is consuming your nitrates and phosphates. Basically you have a ATS in your display. The best way to fix this is lowering nutrients. I would feed less, do a big water change and keep up a good housekeeping schedule more water changes. What kind of equipment do you have? Size of tank? What is your livestock? Filtration? These are all questions that will help people guide you to recovery. Also a Sea Hare is an excellent addition for algae control just plan on finding it a new home when the algae is gone. Good Luck

Been having problems with this green hair algae. What is the best way to get it under control.

Thanks
Steve

Alk - 6
Nitrates - 5
Phosphates - .5
PH - 8


5

 

[sdavi66572]

Start Date July 2014​

240 gallon Acylic 72 x 30 x 24 Clarity Plus Aquarium
1 – Aquaticlife T 5 – HO Light Fixture – 8 Bulb – 72”
Aqueon - Return Pump – Model AQ4500
2 - Hydor Koralia Circulation Pump – 3250 gph
2 – Hydor Koralia Circulation Pump – 850 gph
1 – Coralife Cone Protein Skimmer – 300 Gallon
1 – Hydor Koralia Smartwave Pump Controller
20 gallon refugium
Sump – 30 x 24 x 12

Fish
2 – Clark II Clown Fish
2 – Firefish
4 – Pajama Cardinals
3 – Blue Chromis
1 – Banggai Cardinal
1 – Canary Wrasse
1 – Six Line Wrasse
1 – Foxface Rabbitfish
1 – Blue Eyed Kole Tang
1 – Powder Blue Tang

LPS Corals
1 - Frogspawn
1 – Candy Cane
1 – Rose Bubble Tip Anemone
1 – Long Tentacle Anemone
1 – Duncan Coral
1 – Torch Coral
1 – Chilli Coral
1 – Toadstool
1 – Oranage Plate Coral
1 – Green Hammer Coral
1 – Red Hammer Coral
1 – Green Eyed Chalice
1 – Red Montipora

I do 50 gallon water changes every 4 weeks.
Also thinking about getting
[h=1]BRS 2 Part Calcium & Alkalinity Total Package with Dosers[/h]
any opinions on this are very helpful

 

[Diesel]

Besides as already mentioned your PO4 is high, you can do a few things by start removing as much as possible by hand.
I know it's not one of the tings you like to hear but you don't want o get it real out of control here.
Last month I did a test on a 20 gallon tank with lots of HA in there and been filtering over Triton AL 99 PO4 Remover.
After about 7 days into a slow tumble all HA turned grey/white and another 7 days later it was all gone.
Just wanted to see the power of this product.
PO4 in the tank was 0.72 and 3 days later 0.06, after a week it was 0.0
Here's a link to the product.

Triton AL 99 PO4 Remover- 1 L - TRITON - GOODS

 

[sdavi66572]

Is it OK to remove hair algae off live rock with a tooth brush??

 

[aslmx]

A sea hare will eat it all while you try to get your parms under control.

this is Abigail. She ate about all ours in two weeks.

 

[A+Aquatics]

Did you keep the sea hair?

 

[Triggerpuller]

I also had the same problem. You have high phos. You can get rid of this by doing a few water changes with salted RO/DI water ( I assume this is the water you are currently using if not that is the main cause of your problem). Also, see if you can find some ChemiBlue. It will need to be placed in a high flow area and will absorb a lot of Phos. If you can have inverts in your tank add some Emerald Crab and sally lightfoots. They love to eat that type of algae. You can remove this with a toothbrush/hands then do a water change but until you get the phos under control you will keep having the same issue. I also suggest adding some Mangrove tree sprouts to your sump, they will eat all the nutrients the algae needs to grow and require almost no light to stay alive. This will help keep it under control also. What I have outlined here is what I have done to control my algae I have yet to completely eliminate it as its a tricky problem to get rid of for good once it gets a hold. Just know it takes time. All the quick fixes are harmful to your tanks health.

 

[Reefing Madness]

You want Phosphates to read .05 or under.

 

[A+Aquatics]

I've been chomping at the bit to purchase some mangroves for years. I think now is the perfect time

 

[sdavi66572]

Sea Hair for Algae Control

Picked up a sea hair today from LFS. They told me that I probably need 2 because of the size of my tank ( 240 gallon ). What do we think??

 

[Reefing Madness]

No need for 2 of them. One will be more than enough to take care of it.

 

[sdavi66572]

Thanks for the help

 

[Triggerpuller]

I love my Mangroves. At first I was a little hesitant to get them (thought it was just snake oil), but once I did it was probably the best decision I made for my 38g Coral DT. I went from completely covered rocks, sand and everything in HA to almost nothing in about 2 weeks. I am sure the 5 monster emeralds and yellow tang I now have had a little too do with it also. ( I was gone for a year and the person who took care of the tank only did water changes and feeding.)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

GFO has worked wonders for me when it comes to algae.

 

[miamiangler]

I use GFO and I have not had hair algae in years

 

[sdavi66572]

Sea Hair

Picked up my Sea Hair on Wednesday 3/18. Have not seen him since that day. Is this normal??

 

[A+Aquatics]

I love my Mangroves. At first I was a little hesitant to get them (thought it was just snake oil), but once I did it was probably the best decision I made for my 38g Coral DT. I went from completely covered rocks, sand and everything in HA to almost nothing in about 2 weeks. I am sure the 5 monster emeralds and yellow tang I now have had a little too do with it also. ( I was gone for a year and the person who took care of the tank only did water changes and feeding.)

You have just provided me with the information I have been searching for. Thank you! I love taking broken things and fixing them. I have just received a 99% crashed 30 JBJ AIO MR - 4 weeks in things have stabilized enough to save some corrals and a few inverts. all anemones and fish have finished.
I will probably start a thread so others can find specific help/hope when experiencing a crash. - thanks again for sharing