Cure for hair algae??

digidana · 12/17/2007, 03:07 AM

i was at my LFS the other day, and in one of the SW tanks, swimming amongst the LR, was a freshwater sailfin MOLLY. i talked to the guy who worked there, and he said that they had heard that mollies wouldn't die in saltwater, they had gotten a bunch in, so decided to try it. they threw a mollie in a tank that was infested with hair algae. yeah, threw it in, no acclimation...and he said that within 2 days most of the algae was gone. a couple months later, the molly was still kickin.

might be worth a shot?? they're only a couple bucks, and it sounds like there are a lot of people battling the stuff. i don't have any...knock on wood, but i'd try it!

George Gouveia · 12/17/2007, 05:06 AM

In my personal opinion you should solve the problem by eliminating the phosphates (typing) that the tank has/will have, instead of purchasing a mollie to treat the hair algae problem.

Phosphates are the your source of hair algae.

a1amap · 12/17/2007, 08:37 PM

The molly might work for the short haul but fixing the problem will give you long term satisfaction

snorvich · 12/17/2007, 08:44 PM

I tend to opt with George. Best to solve the problem rather than trying to fix the problem. Ironically, testing will be problematical as the hair algae soaks up the phosphate so it will appear lower than it actually is.

Newlin · 12/17/2007, 08:52 PM

Yes, you can put Mollies in SW tanks. I put one in my tank and the other fish in there killed it in no time. They are not very mean and up against my gramma, it didn't have a chance. But I agree with the others, take care of the root of the problem.

Sk8r · 12/17/2007, 09:05 PM

WOrks, but they jump and die young, so best not.

Get a refugium going. YOu have too much phosphate if you have algae. A fuge removes it.

Gordonious · 12/17/2007, 09:17 PM

I agree with most of what has been said, but will add... why not put them one in in addition to working on the source of the problem. Hair algae is ugly and it can be a pain to set up a refugium and wait for the nutrients to be absorbed.

I wouldn't just throw the molly in though, I would acclimate it. I used to have some in my tank. If you get a couple they will spit out live young... free food for everyone!

Newlin · 12/17/2007, 09:27 PM

Yeah, I forgot about adding the acclimation part. I did it for 5 hours just cause they where in a low ph freshwater tank.

K' Family Reef · 12/17/2007, 09:43 PM

by time you spend money on chemicals
you could have purchased a phosphate reactor and media for not much more money

that is what you need!

it will take care of your problem fast!

then get a fuge
for the long term benefit of your tank and to prevent nutrients from building up in your system...

12/17/2007, 03:07 AM	#1
digidana Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: GO VOLS! Posts: 921	Cure for hair algae?? i was at my LFS the other day, and in one of the SW tanks, swimming amongst the LR, was a freshwater sailfin MOLLY. i talked to the guy who worked there, and he said that they had heard that mollies wouldn't die in saltwater, they had gotten a bunch in, so decided to try it. they threw a mollie in a tank that was infested with hair algae. yeah, threw it in, no acclimation...and he said that within 2 days most of the algae was gone. a couple months later, the molly was still kickin. might be worth a shot?? they're only a couple bucks, and it sounds like there are a lot of people battling the stuff. i don't have any...knock on wood, but i'd try it!

12/17/2007, 08:37 PM	#3
a1amap Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 1,105	The molly might work for the short haul but fixing the problem will give you long term satisfaction __________________ Al Current Tank Info: 75 gallon in wall working on a 220 gallon in wall tank

12/17/2007, 08:44 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I tend to opt with George. Best to solve the problem rather than trying to fix the problem. Ironically, testing will be problematical as the hair algae soaks up the phosphate so it will appear lower than it actually is. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

12/17/2007, 08:52 PM	#5
Newlin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noble, Ok. Posts: 227	Yes, you can put Mollies in SW tanks. I put one in my tank and the other fish in there killed it in no time. They are not very mean and up against my gramma, it didn't have a chance. But I agree with the others, take care of the root of the problem. __________________ Everything that I own is for sale, click my little red house for info. Local pickup only.

12/17/2007, 09:05 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	WOrks, but they jump and die young, so best not. Get a refugium going. YOu have too much phosphate if you have algae. A fuge removes it. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/17/2007, 05:06 AM	#2
George Gouveia Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Loures, Portugal Posts: 171	In my personal opinion you should solve the problem by eliminating the phosphates (typing) that the tank has/will have, instead of purchasing a mollie to treat the hair algae problem. Phosphates are the your source of hair algae.

12/17/2007, 09:17 PM	#7
Gordonious Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newark DE Posts: 3,393	I agree with most of what has been said, but will add... why not put them one in in addition to working on the source of the problem. Hair algae is ugly and it can be a pain to set up a refugium and wait for the nutrients to be absorbed. I wouldn't just throw the molly in though, I would acclimate it. I used to have some in my tank. If you get a couple they will spit out live young... free food for everyone!

12/17/2007, 09:27 PM	#8
Newlin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noble, Ok. Posts: 227	Yeah, I forgot about adding the acclimation part. I did it for 5 hours just cause they where in a low ph freshwater tank. __________________ Everything that I own is for sale, click my little red house for info. Local pickup only.

12/17/2007, 09:43 PM	#9
K' Family Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,966	by time you spend money on chemicals you could have purchased a phosphate reactor and media for not much more money that is what you need! it will take care of your problem fast! then get a fuge for the long term benefit of your tank and to prevent nutrients from building up in your system...