ID hair algae (pics)

DamnPepShrimp · 10/02/2008, 08:44 PM

I have some hair algae and was wondering if someone could ID for me? Is it a kind that some tangs will eat? Easy or hard to get rid of? Also have some red bubble algae, but I need the green hair out so I can add the rest of much my corals. The tank is new, was setup with 50% new water and 50% established from other systems. I beat out most of the cycle, still have some nitrates though. Just added a couple of PJ cardinals and a kole tang (hoping he/she would eat the algae). I still have a starry blenny and a yellow tang or atlantic blue tang I could add. I don't know if it is just part of my cycle, since all my other tanks went through a algae cycle, usually just brown algae (diatoms?). I have never had anything like this before, it was on the rock (both algaes) that I got for free, cooked it for 6 months, still came up. Any suggestions? Thanks.

SHOmuchFUN · 10/02/2008, 08:50 PM

Looks like Derbesia, I've been battling it for months. I haven't been able to find a fish that would eat it, but noticed a Hector's Goby at the LFS picking at it at the store. I brought him home in hopes that he would eat some of the derbesia that I have in my tank, but don't have much hope that he's going to completely eradicate it. He's a pretty small fish.

DamnPepShrimp · 10/02/2008, 09:38 PM

Yeah, I can battle it with water changes, messing with the water parameters, filtration, but if there was a fish that would eat it, I'd rather it go to some good use, like fattening up my tangs.

bbehring · 10/02/2008, 09:49 PM

Try Fauna Marin Algae X. There are a couple threads about it and it's usage here on RC. I have an lawnmower blenny that is doing a good job on mine now! I think they are hit and miss though. You definately need to address your nutrient problem thought as you mentioned.

filippo · 10/02/2008, 09:49 PM

same problem here. i just got a cool green Sea Hare ($10). s/he doing a good job already

DamnPepShrimp · 10/02/2008, 10:00 PM

I've had seahares, they seem to do ok, but eventually die or disappear and I never know whats up with them. I have one in my cube (that is slowly being transferred to my 120) that split in two it seems, two smaller ones, is that how they reproduce?

There is nothing I can do about my water parameters right now. The tank is still finishing up the cycle, I am doing water changes about twice a week right now. It will take time, I know, but I need to get my corals in the tank asap.

DamnPepShrimp · 10/03/2008, 10:17 AM

Anyone else have any ideas?

10/02/2008, 08:44 PM	#1
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	ID hair algae (pics) I have some hair algae and was wondering if someone could ID for me? Is it a kind that some tangs will eat? Easy or hard to get rid of? Also have some red bubble algae, but I need the green hair out so I can add the rest of much my corals. The tank is new, was setup with 50% new water and 50% established from other systems. I beat out most of the cycle, still have some nitrates though. Just added a couple of PJ cardinals and a kole tang (hoping he/she would eat the algae). I still have a starry blenny and a yellow tang or atlantic blue tang I could add. I don't know if it is just part of my cycle, since all my other tanks went through a algae cycle, usually just brown algae (diatoms?). I have never had anything like this before, it was on the rock (both algaes) that I got for free, cooked it for 6 months, still came up. Any suggestions? Thanks.

10/02/2008, 08:50 PM	#2
SHOmuchFUN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 4,461	Looks like Derbesia, I've been battling it for months. I haven't been able to find a fish that would eat it, but noticed a Hector's Goby at the LFS picking at it at the store. I brought him home in hopes that he would eat some of the derbesia that I have in my tank, but don't have much hope that he's going to completely eradicate it. He's a pretty small fish. __________________ Erik Engstrom President, Vermont Marine Aquarists. Current Tank Info: Custom 180gal, 6x80w ATI T-5s, (2) Tunze 6025, Vortec MP40w, MSX200 w/ red demon, controlled by AcJR.

10/02/2008, 09:38 PM	#3
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Yeah, I can battle it with water changes, messing with the water parameters, filtration, but if there was a fish that would eat it, I'd rather it go to some good use, like fattening up my tangs.

10/02/2008, 09:49 PM	#4
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	Try Fauna Marin Algae X. There are a couple threads about it and it's usage here on RC. I have an lawnmower blenny that is doing a good job on mine now! I think they are hit and miss though. You definately need to address your nutrient problem thought as you mentioned.

10/02/2008, 09:49 PM	#5
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	same problem here. i just got a cool green Sea Hare ($10). s/he doing a good job already

10/02/2008, 10:00 PM	#6
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	I've had seahares, they seem to do ok, but eventually die or disappear and I never know whats up with them. I have one in my cube (that is slowly being transferred to my 120) that split in two it seems, two smaller ones, is that how they reproduce? There is nothing I can do about my water parameters right now. The tank is still finishing up the cycle, I am doing water changes about twice a week right now. It will take time, I know, but I need to get my corals in the tank asap.

10/03/2008, 10:17 AM	#7
DamnPepShrimp Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,152	Anyone else have any ideas?