Hair Algae help

fishkeeprian · 04/17/2016, 05:21 AM

Hi What is the best clean up crew for hair agle. Ive got shrimp and crabs but there not making a dent in it. The algae is slowly dying on but i just want it off my rocks now.

Thanks

JammyBirch · 04/17/2016, 05:37 AM

Ton of posts about this...

My experience with algae has mixed results
1. CUC, snails and crabs, don't do much on mature growths
2. GFO does little to nothing
3. ATS turf scrubber, this is the latest thing I've tried, only about a month, I love it so far.

If you want it off your rocks now then reach in and pick it off, there's nothing wrong with that approach either. You need to either prevent what is feeding it or give it a spot to grow, ATS, so it does work for you.

Snookster · 04/17/2016, 07:09 AM

Cut nutrient intake (feeding), increase nutrient uptake competition (macro algae in sump/fuge), manual removal, water changes and add GFO. Make sure any new water is devoid of nutrients (0 TDS).

There is no magic snail, fish or crab that's going to solve the problem, they will help, but still still poop PO4. Nothing good happens fast and it will take time to solve. And you will likely never completely get rid off nuisance algaes, it's how well you control them.

Controlling what goes in and creating competition for it is key IMO.

fishkeeprian · 04/17/2016, 01:55 PM

Ive just had ago at it with a soft bristel tooth brush and aggrevated it off the rock. The majority came off, it was dying. The algae came from the cycle of the tank when i was neive to phos etc. Them parameters are all under control now. Skimmer has been going mad pulling the crap out the water.

smeesh726 · 04/17/2016, 03:42 PM

A UV sterilizer should help get rid of the algae

Snookster · 04/17/2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeesh726

A UV sterilizer should help get rid of the algae

First I've ever heard that - how?

dbigfoot111 · 04/17/2016, 11:19 PM

increase in cuc or just check your param..

Djturna4thakidz · 04/17/2016, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbigfoot111

increase in cuc or just check your param..

Second this plan. Algae Turf scrubber is also an option.

aznflyfisherman · 04/18/2016, 10:29 AM

I made a mistake and siphon my sand bed and a few days last i had dino and hair algea. I been using phosguard, and doing a 20% water chnage weekly on my 110g for a 1.5 months now. The dino is gone but hair algea still there but slowing being manage by my tang, foxface and lawn mower blenny as well as hermit crabs. Now it is only about 30% , hopefully it will be gone in a month or so.

smeesh726 · 04/18/2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snookster

First I've ever heard that - how?

UV modifies genetic makeup of algae and shortens the life cycle, resulting in a less chance of the spread of algae. IME the UV sterilizer worked for algae.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=86

04/17/2016, 05:21 AM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Hair Algae help Hi What is the best clean up crew for hair agle. Ive got shrimp and crabs but there not making a dent in it. The algae is slowly dying on but i just want it off my rocks now. Thanks

04/17/2016, 05:37 AM	#2
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Ton of posts about this... My experience with algae has mixed results 1. CUC, snails and crabs, don't do much on mature growths 2. GFO does little to nothing 3. ATS turf scrubber, this is the latest thing I've tried, only about a month, I love it so far. If you want it off your rocks now then reach in and pick it off, there's nothing wrong with that approach either. You need to either prevent what is feeding it or give it a spot to grow, ATS, so it does work for you. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

04/17/2016, 07:09 AM	#3
Snookster Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 661	Cut nutrient intake (feeding), increase nutrient uptake competition (macro algae in sump/fuge), manual removal, water changes and add GFO. Make sure any new water is devoid of nutrients (0 TDS). There is no magic snail, fish or crab that's going to solve the problem, they will help, but still still poop PO4. Nothing good happens fast and it will take time to solve. And you will likely never completely get rid off nuisance algaes, it's how well you control them. Controlling what goes in and creating competition for it is key IMO.

04/17/2016, 01:55 PM	#4
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Ive just had ago at it with a soft bristel tooth brush and aggrevated it off the rock. The majority came off, it was dying. The algae came from the cycle of the tank when i was neive to phos etc. Them parameters are all under control now. Skimmer has been going mad pulling the crap out the water.

04/17/2016, 03:42 PM	#5
smeesh726 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 66	A UV sterilizer should help get rid of the algae

04/17/2016, 11:19 PM	#7
dbigfoot111 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 52	increase in cuc or just check your param..

04/18/2016, 10:29 AM	#9
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	I made a mistake and siphon my sand bed and a few days last i had dino and hair algea. I been using phosguard, and doing a 20% water chnage weekly on my 110g for a 1.5 months now. The dino is gone but hair algea still there but slowing being manage by my tang, foxface and lawn mower blenny as well as hermit crabs. Now it is only about 30% , hopefully it will be gone in a month or so.