Hair Algae

[timmystood]

Hey Guys

Been a little while since i've posted on this Marine Section. Been really off with my Marine tank since losing my Clownfish, Domino Damsel and 3-Stripe Humbug to an unknown disease. All that's left is my Ceylon Puffer.
Anyway, I'm got a really annoying problem of hair algae.
I did have a lumiare on the tank but took it off 3 months ago because it meant the Puffer could jump out (which he did!). Anyway, all the live rock is covered in Live Rock and no matter what I do I can't budge it. I do take the rock out and pull it off but then more comes off in the tank and clogs the fitlers. I know phosphate removers etc. can work but i'm after any quick fixes! I could take the live rock out seeing as it's just the puffer and decorate it as a FO. However, I spent like £160 on the LR so don't really want to do that... any ideas?

thanks in advance

P.S. - Any ideas how I could cover the tank in a way that would mean I could put the lumiaire back on the tank? At the moment it's just the lid designed for the tank but if I take that off the Puffer can jump out. I would love to use the lumiare because it cost loads of money! (and looks nice!)

 

[tmreynolds]

Hey Guys

Been a little while since i've posted on this Marine Section. Been really off with my Marine tank since losing my Clownfish, Domino Damsel and 3-Stripe Humbug to an unknown disease. All that's left is my Ceylon Puffer.
Anyway, I'm got a really annoying problem of hair algae.
I did have a lumiare on the tank but took it off 3 months ago because it meant the Puffer could jump out (which he did!). Anyway, all the live rock is covered in Live Rock and no matter what I do I can't budge it. I do take the rock out and pull it off but then more comes off in the tank and clogs the fitlers. I know phosphate removers etc. can work but i'm after any quick fixes! I could take the live rock out seeing as it's just the puffer and decorate it as a FO. However, I spent like £160 on the LR so don't really want to do that... any ideas?

thanks in advance

P.S. - Any ideas how I could cover the tank in a way that would mean I could put the lumiaire back on the tank? At the moment it's just the lid designed for the tank but if I take that off the Puffer can jump out. I would love to use the lumiare because it cost loads of money! (and looks nice!)

You won't really win the algae battle, unless you remove the source of its nutrition.

You need a phospahate remover, otherwise it will just keep coming back, that is if you manage to remove it in the first place. I'd recommend rowaphos.

There are CUC and fish that eat algae too, but a phosphate remover is a must.

 

[timmystood]

Ok, thanks.

If I add the phostphate remover how would I go about removing the algae already in the tank. When I take the LR out of the water it is impossible to pull all the hair algae off.

 

[dixaisy930]

You could try a emerald crab, but there's not guarantee that it will eat the algae.

I was able to suck mine up with a turkey baster, because for some reason, it wasn't anchored very well to the rock. You could try that.

 

[SkiFletch]

About the only two organisms I've seen that reliably eat hair algae are Tangs and Sea Hares. Others have limited success, but those are the only two which will be able to rid your tank of it. Tangs obviously require a big tank, and Sea Hares require foam-covered powerhead inlets

 

[sianeds]

As with all algae battles I'd advise:

Reduce the time your lights are on
Reduce your feeding as much as you can
Lots of water changes
Keep the tank spotlessly clean by removing any leftover food
Get some Rowaphos in and change it regularly
Pick out as much algae as you can as often as you can
Get a predator in there

By taking the food sources away you will rid yourself of the algae. I am going through a battle with Cyano at the moment (which I think I am winning) and this is what I am doing. It works for any algae