Can detritus fuel Hair Algae?

zero26 · 04/10/2010, 08:52 PM

I have been fighting Hair algae for about 9 months now. All the params are good but I have noticed alot of detritus in my sump. can this build up cause Hair algae?

schneijt · 04/10/2010, 09:16 PM

I don't think the detritus in the sump is causing your troubles, but it's still best to vacuum out the sump or have another way to regularly remove it. I run a filter sock 24/7, but I still get some silt or something like that on the bottom of my sump. To fix it, I put a Koralia 4 in my sump, and it adds the necessary water flow in the sump to make sure that all the particles stay suspended in the water so they can be skimmed out and such.

When it comes to fighting HA, though, have you tried raising your Mg? Magnesium, when it's raised to something like 1500, can inhibit the growth of hair algae and help you beat it. Google the subject for more info, but in the past I raised Mg to help out with some hair algae, and that plus a few emerald crabs did the trick.

-Joe

rtparty · 04/10/2010, 11:23 PM

You bet ya it can and will.

Detritus is decaying organic material. As is decays it releases Nitrates and Phosphates into the tank. Thus your hair algae has food to eat. N and P can also be released from the rock and sand. More flow overall will help fight hair algae but will not cure it. If the algae has food to eat, it will grow.

iamwrasseman · 04/10/2010, 11:53 PM

yes it if food and can be used for the algae growth .when it breaks down it will make po4 and nitrate which are both hair algae fuel .

Rich123 · 04/11/2010, 01:16 AM

The sump can turn into a "nitrate factory" like anything else where detritus can build up. This in turn will feed algae.

04/10/2010, 08:52 PM	#1
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	Can detritus fuel Hair Algae? I have been fighting Hair algae for about 9 months now. All the params are good but I have noticed alot of detritus in my sump. can this build up cause Hair algae? __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS

04/10/2010, 11:23 PM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	You bet ya it can and will. Detritus is decaying organic material. As is decays it releases Nitrates and Phosphates into the tank. Thus your hair algae has food to eat. N and P can also be released from the rock and sand. More flow overall will help fight hair algae but will not cure it. If the algae has food to eat, it will grow. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

04/10/2010, 11:53 PM	#4
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	yes it if food and can be used for the algae growth .when it breaks down it will make po4 and nitrate which are both hair algae fuel . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

04/10/2010, 09:16 PM	#2
schneijt Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 497	I don't think the detritus in the sump is causing your troubles, but it's still best to vacuum out the sump or have another way to regularly remove it. I run a filter sock 24/7, but I still get some silt or something like that on the bottom of my sump. To fix it, I put a Koralia 4 in my sump, and it adds the necessary water flow in the sump to make sure that all the particles stay suspended in the water so they can be skimmed out and such. When it comes to fighting HA, though, have you tried raising your Mg? Magnesium, when it's raised to something like 1500, can inhibit the growth of hair algae and help you beat it. Google the subject for more info, but in the past I raised Mg to help out with some hair algae, and that plus a few emerald crabs did the trick. -Joe

04/11/2010, 01:16 AM	#5
Rich123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 96	The sump can turn into a "nitrate factory" like anything else where detritus can build up. This in turn will feed algae.