What is the best Hair Algae eater?

jasper24 · 02/02/2007, 12:58 PM

I am addressing the cause of the algae (overfeeding) but want to keep this under control. I have a small hair algae problem on my overflow and a few places throughout the tank. What is the best addition to rid this? Queen Conch, lettuce nudibranch, etc? Thanks.

GreyDC · 02/02/2007, 01:02 PM

Whats your current bioload?

jimwat · 02/02/2007, 01:25 PM

If you can figure out how to block the light shining on your overflow, that would take care of the hair algae problem there. As for the rest of your tank, opinions vary on the best fish or critter. Since this topic comes up almost daily, a quick search will give you lots and lots different alternatives. Most work with at least some limited success depending on your specific needs.

My favorite critter is the Sea Hare as it eats a lot, and will go after HA when it is long (mows it from the top down). The downside is that it gets pretty big and will need to be given away once the HA is gone (so it does not starve). The Sea Hares will also ink if they are harassed (although mine never did).

Good Luck

nsreefer · 02/02/2007, 01:27 PM

What about a lawnmower blenny?

jasper24 · 02/02/2007, 01:32 PM

Bioload is low. 58G display with about 15 gallons in the sump. I have 1 Small Yellow Tang (No flames please

), 2 small tank raised clowns, and a six line wrasse. Tank has been established for about 1.5 years. I do 5G water changes every week, use 0 TDS RO/DI from my Typhoon 3, and use reef crystals salt. All parameters are dead. Bulbs (150W MH and 2 x 65W actinics) are changed every 7-8 months. The only thing that I can pin the algae on is overfeeding which I am addressing.

rstark33 · 02/02/2007, 01:43 PM

My algae/lawnmower blenny has eaten all of my HA. I think it should be a mandatory fish for all reefs as it eats all agaes and is pretty cheap!

20 20 · 02/02/2007, 01:53 PM

I've had two algae blennies, neither one ate algae, both ended up starving to death. I just bought a Foxface a week ago, it's mowing down the algae in my tank. Not sure if it would be OK in a 58 gallon tank, though.

SptfireXIV · 02/02/2007, 02:01 PM

Clibonarius hermits. They play nice with each other and are hair algae eating machines.

jimwat · 02/02/2007, 02:04 PM

I had three LM blennies including the one I have now. The one I have now does a decent job on the HA, the other two did not touch it and would not take prepared food and starved.

I also have a foxface that is doing a pretty good job at keeping the HA in check (with help from the LM).

alan214 · 02/02/2007, 02:05 PM

Let's not leave Trochus snails off the list. The decimated my HA population in a couple of weeks.

02/02/2007, 12:58 PM	#1
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	What is the best Hair Algae eater? I am addressing the cause of the algae (overfeeding) but want to keep this under control. I have a small hair algae problem on my overflow and a few places throughout the tank. What is the best addition to rid this? Queen Conch, lettuce nudibranch, etc? Thanks.

02/02/2007, 01:25 PM	#3
jimwat Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,270	If you can figure out how to block the light shining on your overflow, that would take care of the hair algae problem there. As for the rest of your tank, opinions vary on the best fish or critter. Since this topic comes up almost daily, a quick search will give you lots and lots different alternatives. Most work with at least some limited success depending on your specific needs. My favorite critter is the Sea Hare as it eats a lot, and will go after HA when it is long (mows it from the top down). The downside is that it gets pretty big and will need to be given away once the HA is gone (so it does not starve). The Sea Hares will also ink if they are harassed (although mine never did). Good Luck __________________ "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer." Current Tank Info: 65 gal with 192w PC 10k, 192w VHO actinic, Blue-Moon LED, Tunze 6060 on WavySea, AquaController 3. 20gal sump, Natureef CDECX-1, Phosban Reactor, Remora, Kalk Drip, Ozone.

02/02/2007, 01:43 PM	#6
rstark33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 294	My algae/lawnmower blenny has eaten all of my HA. I think it should be a mandatory fish for all reefs as it eats all agaes and is pretty cheap! __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon with 100 gallon sump in garage

02/02/2007, 02:01 PM	#8
SptfireXIV Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 1,247	Clibonarius hermits. They play nice with each other and are hair algae eating machines. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless SPS Reef

02/02/2007, 02:04 PM	#9
jimwat Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,270	I had three LM blennies including the one I have now. The one I have now does a decent job on the HA, the other two did not touch it and would not take prepared food and starved. I also have a foxface that is doing a pretty good job at keeping the HA in check (with help from the LM). __________________ "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer." Current Tank Info: 65 gal with 192w PC 10k, 192w VHO actinic, Blue-Moon LED, Tunze 6060 on WavySea, AquaController 3. 20gal sump, Natureef CDECX-1, Phosban Reactor, Remora, Kalk Drip, Ozone.

02/02/2007, 01:02 PM	#2
GreyDC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 261	Whats your current bioload?

02/02/2007, 01:27 PM	#4
nsreefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Stratford, PEI Posts: 502	What about a lawnmower blenny?

02/02/2007, 01:32 PM	#5
jasper24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 2,120	Bioload is low. 58G display with about 15 gallons in the sump. I have 1 Small Yellow Tang (No flames please ), 2 small tank raised clowns, and a six line wrasse. Tank has been established for about 1.5 years. I do 5G water changes every week, use 0 TDS RO/DI from my Typhoon 3, and use reef crystals salt. All parameters are dead. Bulbs (150W MH and 2 x 65W actinics) are changed every 7-8 months. The only thing that I can pin the algae on is overfeeding which I am addressing.

02/02/2007, 01:53 PM	#7
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	I've had two algae blennies, neither one ate algae, both ended up starving to death. I just bought a Foxface a week ago, it's mowing down the algae in my tank. Not sure if it would be OK in a 58 gallon tank, though.

02/02/2007, 02:05 PM	#10
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	Let's not leave Trochus snails off the list. The decimated my HA population in a couple of weeks. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR