Hair algae Woes!!!

hansonfam · 07/11/2006, 12:08 PM

Hi everyone.

OKay here are my latest test results.

Ph-8.2
Ammonia-O
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-20 ( i know probably my issue)
Calcium-420
Dkh-10.5

So i know my nitrates are high but you know they have never dropped below 10.
But i now have hair algae everywhere. Not really long yet but green fuzzy stuff all over the rocks and it is a little longer on the glass. I have been scrapping it off the glass and hopefully not spreading it all over the tank.
I do water changes weekley of 10-15 gallons.
I feed 1 cube of mysis and 1 cube of brine daily with some pellets and dried nori always on the glass for the naso.
How do i get rid of this. And how do i get my nitrates down.

Thanks
LIsa

tedmc2 · 07/11/2006, 01:04 PM

Lisa,

At 7 months, your tank is still relatively new and algae outbreaks are not uncommon. But, with that said, IMO you're right, your nitrates are too high.

The most common reason for high nitrates is overfeeding. Many people feed every other day and sometimes less. Try feeding every other day for a few weeks, along with the water changes and see if that helps. You may think your fish are hungry but they won't starve. Once the nitrates are under control. You can fool around with the feeding schedule.

I also think you're protein is not strong enough for your tank. I know the Aqua C Remora Pro (if that's what you're using) is rated for 75+ but that's not true. You need a more powerful skimmer for a 130 gal tank.

Hope that helps

Ted

chip721 · 07/11/2006, 01:05 PM

The regular water changes you're doing are a good thing. Although on 130g (not including sump) you're only changing out ~ 10%. On your next wc, you might increase it in the 20% range and see if it has any affect on your N03. I would also check your phosphate (P04) level. Always leaving food in the tank could be a contributor and fueling the hair algae. Good luck.

hansonfam · 07/11/2006, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the respose: tedmc2&chip721

Okay so if i back off on the feeding to about every 2 days?
And take the nori down?

How many times a day should i put the nori up? My naso thinks he's a elephant i am sure when it comes to food. I could feed him 24/7 and he would eat it all..

Oh and is it okay to scrap it off the glass and just let the overflow pick it up? And is there a way i can get it off the rocks without having to take them out. Most of is i can't pull out because it isn't long enough. Just like peach fuzz.

And i know i need to upgrade the skimmer... it's coming.

hansonfam · 07/11/2006, 01:16 PM

Oh yes i forgot my phosphate level is 0 and i am running a rowa nitrate sponge. (Which is apparently not working..lol
And i will up those water changes to 20%

tedmc2 · 07/11/2006, 01:45 PM

I'd put the nori in for a couple hours when you feed the other fish. I may be wrong but the naso may pick at the hair algae between nori feedings.

It's not good a good idea to let the algae float around the tank after scraping it off. That allows it to spread. Turn off your powerheads when scraping and grab what floats away with tweezers, net, whatever.

For the peach fuzz, I'd suggest getting more Astraea or Trochus snails. You can pull the snails off the glass where they are not doing anything and place them in the middle of the fuzz.

Here's a pic of my tank before cutting back on feeding and adding more snails

chip721 · 07/11/2006, 01:53 PM

I wouldn't leave any hair algae free floating. I'm not familiar with the "Rowa nitrate sponge." Is it media in a bag that should get replaced periodically? With the amount of lr you have, I wouldn't think a nitrate sponge would be needed. But during your next water change, use a turkey baster to give your lr a good blast. It's simple, but removing any excess detritus is helpful.

hansonfam · 07/11/2006, 04:21 PM

Thanks Guys. OKay i will stop scraping. And i didn't think i would need a nitrate sponge either.It didn't do any good anyways so i am assuming it has got to be the feeding issue. You would think the naso would be eating it off put apparently he is to spoiled

I will start feeding ever few days and see how that goes and i will just add the nori occasionaly and make sure he eats it all and then remove it.

Lisa

07/11/2006, 12:08 PM	#1
hansonfam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 812	Hair algae Woes!!! Hi everyone. OKay here are my latest test results. Ph-8.2 Ammonia-O Nitrite-0 Nitrate-20 ( i know probably my issue) Calcium-420 Dkh-10.5 So i know my nitrates are high but you know they have never dropped below 10. But i now have hair algae everywhere. Not really long yet but green fuzzy stuff all over the rocks and it is a little longer on the glass. I have been scrapping it off the glass and hopefully not spreading it all over the tank. I do water changes weekley of 10-15 gallons. I feed 1 cube of mysis and 1 cube of brine daily with some pellets and dried nori always on the glass for the naso. How do i get rid of this. And how do i get my nitrates down. Thanks LIsa __________________ 35 Gallon Solana Gigantea anemone species tank, 90 SPS dominated reef tank!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon-Numerous corals,2 purple tangs,choclate mimic tang,yellow wrasse *2.In the 35 gallon 1 purple gig and 1 multi colour gig,pair of mis bar Aussie black clowns and a lawnmower Blennie!

07/11/2006, 01:04 PM	#2
tedmc2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 384	Lisa, At 7 months, your tank is still relatively new and algae outbreaks are not uncommon. But, with that said, IMO you're right, your nitrates are too high. The most common reason for high nitrates is overfeeding. Many people feed every other day and sometimes less. Try feeding every other day for a few weeks, along with the water changes and see if that helps. You may think your fish are hungry but they won't starve. Once the nitrates are under control. You can fool around with the feeding schedule. I also think you're protein is not strong enough for your tank. I know the Aqua C Remora Pro (if that's what you're using) is rated for 75+ but that's not true. You need a more powerful skimmer for a 130 gal tank. Hope that helps Ted __________________ In a world gone mad, only a lunatic’s truly insane - Homer Simpson Current Tank Info: 18" cube, 12" cube, ADA MINI-S

07/11/2006, 01:14 PM	#4
hansonfam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 812	Thanks for the respose: tedmc2&chip721 Okay so if i back off on the feeding to about every 2 days? And take the nori down? How many times a day should i put the nori up? My naso thinks he's a elephant i am sure when it comes to food. I could feed him 24/7 and he would eat it all.. Oh and is it okay to scrap it off the glass and just let the overflow pick it up? And is there a way i can get it off the rocks without having to take them out. Most of is i can't pull out because it isn't long enough. Just like peach fuzz. And i know i need to upgrade the skimmer... it's coming. __________________ 35 Gallon Solana Gigantea anemone species tank, 90 SPS dominated reef tank!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon-Numerous corals,2 purple tangs,choclate mimic tang,yellow wrasse *2.In the 35 gallon 1 purple gig and 1 multi colour gig,pair of mis bar Aussie black clowns and a lawnmower Blennie!

07/11/2006, 01:16 PM	#5
hansonfam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 812	Oh yes i forgot my phosphate level is 0 and i am running a rowa nitrate sponge. (Which is apparently not working..lol And i will up those water changes to 20% __________________ 35 Gallon Solana Gigantea anemone species tank, 90 SPS dominated reef tank!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon-Numerous corals,2 purple tangs,choclate mimic tang,yellow wrasse *2.In the 35 gallon 1 purple gig and 1 multi colour gig,pair of mis bar Aussie black clowns and a lawnmower Blennie!

07/11/2006, 01:45 PM	#6
tedmc2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 384	I'd put the nori in for a couple hours when you feed the other fish. I may be wrong but the naso may pick at the hair algae between nori feedings. It's not good a good idea to let the algae float around the tank after scraping it off. That allows it to spread. Turn off your powerheads when scraping and grab what floats away with tweezers, net, whatever. For the peach fuzz, I'd suggest getting more Astraea or Trochus snails. You can pull the snails off the glass where they are not doing anything and place them in the middle of the fuzz. Here's a pic of my tank before cutting back on feeding and adding more snails __________________ In a world gone mad, only a lunatic’s truly insane - Homer Simpson Current Tank Info: 18" cube, 12" cube, ADA MINI-S

07/11/2006, 01:05 PM	#3
chip721 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,260	The regular water changes you're doing are a good thing. Although on 130g (not including sump) you're only changing out ~ 10%. On your next wc, you might increase it in the 20% range and see if it has any affect on your N03. I would also check your phosphate (P04) level. Always leaving food in the tank could be a contributor and fueling the hair algae. Good luck.

07/11/2006, 01:53 PM	#7
chip721 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,260	I wouldn't leave any hair algae free floating. I'm not familiar with the "Rowa nitrate sponge." Is it media in a bag that should get replaced periodically? With the amount of lr you have, I wouldn't think a nitrate sponge would be needed. But during your next water change, use a turkey baster to give your lr a good blast. It's simple, but removing any excess detritus is helpful.

07/11/2006, 04:21 PM	#8
hansonfam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 812	Thanks Guys. OKay i will stop scraping. And i didn't think i would need a nitrate sponge either.It didn't do any good anyways so i am assuming it has got to be the feeding issue. You would think the naso would be eating it off put apparently he is to spoiled I will start feeding ever few days and see how that goes and i will just add the nori occasionaly and make sure he eats it all and then remove it. Lisa __________________ 35 Gallon Solana Gigantea anemone species tank, 90 SPS dominated reef tank!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon-Numerous corals,2 purple tangs,choclate mimic tang,yellow wrasse *2.In the 35 gallon 1 purple gig and 1 multi colour gig,pair of mis bar Aussie black clowns and a lawnmower Blennie!