Hair Algae on my Frag Shelving!!!!

jaw969 · 02/26/2007, 10:57 PM

I have a 100 gallon frag tank that has been set up for about 3 months.

Everything is doing awesome but I keep getting hair algae on the frag shelf (eggcrate).

It is the ONLY place that the hair algae is growing.

Any ideas why ??????

Thanks for your help

boxfishpooalot · 02/26/2007, 11:44 PM

Some pvc pipe will leach phosphates. But chances are it just likes plastic better than glass.

jaw969 · 02/27/2007, 12:54 AM

Nothing I can do to decrease it or keep it from coming back......tomorrow I am taking the eggcrate out and thoroughly scrubbing it.

Let me know

Thanks so much

boxfishpooalot · 02/27/2007, 01:34 AM

If you have hair algae growing chances are you have a phosphate problem. Possibly nitrate too. And a high par light will help them with growth. Do a water change add some gfo phosphate binder and increase export with things like skimming, growing macroalgae or a sulphur denitrator for nitrates.

If your using egg crate, the structure of it is generally perfect for trapping detritus. Which in turn creates P,N and hair algae.

jaw969 · 02/27/2007, 01:51 AM

I know I don't have a nitrate problem but I have not done a phosphate test ......I will do it tomorrow. My light is a Aquaspace light 150w 20k and 2x 250w 10k (maybe I should cut down my lighting period????? Currently run the 150 for 12 hrs and the 250's for 6 hrs. Pretty intense lighting over a 18 in. deep tank. I have 2400 gph internal flow and 700 gph turnover on a 100 gallon tank.
Thanks for your insight let me know if you think I need to change the lighting period since the par is probably pretty high.

Thanks

02/26/2007, 10:57 PM	#1
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	Hair Algae on my Frag Shelving!!!! I have a 100 gallon frag tank that has been set up for about 3 months. Everything is doing awesome but I keep getting hair algae on the frag shelf (eggcrate). It is the ONLY place that the hair algae is growing. Any ideas why ?????? Thanks for your help __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef

02/26/2007, 11:44 PM	#2
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Some pvc pipe will leach phosphates. But chances are it just likes plastic better than glass. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

02/27/2007, 12:54 AM	#3
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	Nothing I can do to decrease it or keep it from coming back......tomorrow I am taking the eggcrate out and thoroughly scrubbing it. Let me know Thanks so much __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef

02/27/2007, 01:34 AM	#4
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	If you have hair algae growing chances are you have a phosphate problem. Possibly nitrate too. And a high par light will help them with growth. Do a water change add some gfo phosphate binder and increase export with things like skimming, growing macroalgae or a sulphur denitrator for nitrates. If your using egg crate, the structure of it is generally perfect for trapping detritus. Which in turn creates P,N and hair algae. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

02/27/2007, 01:51 AM	#5
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	I know I don't have a nitrate problem but I have not done a phosphate test ......I will do it tomorrow. My light is a Aquaspace light 150w 20k and 2x 250w 10k (maybe I should cut down my lighting period????? Currently run the 150 for 12 hrs and the 250's for 6 hrs. Pretty intense lighting over a 18 in. deep tank. I have 2400 gph internal flow and 700 gph turnover on a 100 gallon tank. Thanks for your insight let me know if you think I need to change the lighting period since the par is probably pretty high. Thanks __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef