Hair Algae...YIKES!!

BruinQB7 · 12/31/2007, 03:51 PM

So my new 24 g aquapod has been sitting there with nothing but LR in it for about a month now and appeared to be doing very well (ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite all tested out at zero). But, I recently had a smallish outbreak of hair algae. Should I go through the hassle of taking out the rocks that have the algae on them and scraping it off, including some of the rock to get rid of the roots? Or, are there any inverts anyone could recommend that would eat the hair algae and take care of it? Also, is there really a disadvantage to not scraping the brown algae off the glass and just throwing in some nerites? Any help would be much appreciated.

younglcy · 12/31/2007, 04:05 PM

A handful of Cerith snails and some small hermit crabs took care of the brown algae outbreak in my 75gal. in about 3 days. Ate every last bit.

BruinQB7 · 12/31/2007, 06:33 PM

What about the hair algae?

dc_909 · 12/31/2007, 07:31 PM

The Enemy...Some type of annoying algae!

The Conquerer...Lettuce Nudi

Fulfilling his orders

Round 1 goes to the Conquerer!

This is 5 hours after the first pic was taken.

Results of his previous job

BruinQB7 · 01/03/2008, 11:50 AM

Thanks, DC. I'm in the process now of looking for one...

cosworth · 01/03/2008, 01:56 PM

test

tcilmo · 01/03/2008, 03:42 PM

When I had some hair issues, I ended up getting an Algae Blenny, and this took care of the problem he seemed to eat all that I had and kept the tank in check. more info, The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is also referred to as Jewelled Rockskipper or the Lawnmower, Jeweled Blenny, or Rock Blenny. Its body is a mottled tan with blue dots and it shows tons of personality.
A well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with multiple swimming levels and plenty of rock is a suitable environment. It is not usually aggressive unless the tank mates appear to have a similar shape as it does. It is best to house singly unless kept in a larger tank and the two are a mated pair. It tends to perch and hop from rock to rock looking for microalgae to graze on. It is known to nip at small-polyped stony coral and clam mantles.

The Sailfin/Algae Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, Spirulina, and herbivore preparations.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2-1/2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 5"

12/31/2007, 03:51 PM	#1
BruinQB7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Riverbank, CA Posts: 46	Hair Algae...YIKES!! So my new 24 g aquapod has been sitting there with nothing but LR in it for about a month now and appeared to be doing very well (ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite all tested out at zero). But, I recently had a smallish outbreak of hair algae. Should I go through the hassle of taking out the rocks that have the algae on them and scraping it off, including some of the rock to get rid of the roots? Or, are there any inverts anyone could recommend that would eat the hair algae and take care of it? Also, is there really a disadvantage to not scraping the brown algae off the glass and just throwing in some nerites? Any help would be much appreciated.

01/03/2008, 01:56 PM	#6
cosworth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1	test __________________ survival of the fittest

12/31/2007, 04:05 PM	#2
younglcy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 93	A handful of Cerith snails and some small hermit crabs took care of the brown algae outbreak in my 75gal. in about 3 days. Ate every last bit.

12/31/2007, 06:33 PM	#3
BruinQB7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Riverbank, CA Posts: 46	What about the hair algae?

12/31/2007, 07:31 PM	#4
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	The Enemy...Some type of annoying algae! The Conquerer...Lettuce Nudi Fulfilling his orders Round 1 goes to the Conquerer! This is 5 hours after the first pic was taken. Results of his previous job

01/03/2008, 11:50 AM	#5
BruinQB7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Riverbank, CA Posts: 46	Thanks, DC. I'm in the process now of looking for one...

01/03/2008, 03:42 PM	#7
tcilmo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 59	When I had some hair issues, I ended up getting an Algae Blenny, and this took care of the problem he seemed to eat all that I had and kept the tank in check. more info, The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is also referred to as Jewelled Rockskipper or the Lawnmower, Jeweled Blenny, or Rock Blenny. Its body is a mottled tan with blue dots and it shows tons of personality. A well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with multiple swimming levels and plenty of rock is a suitable environment. It is not usually aggressive unless the tank mates appear to have a similar shape as it does. It is best to house singly unless kept in a larger tank and the two are a mated pair. It tends to perch and hop from rock to rock looking for microalgae to graze on. It is known to nip at small-polyped stony coral and clam mantles. The Sailfin/Algae Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, Spirulina, and herbivore preparations. Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2-1/2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 5"