Which plan of attack for hair algae?

mels95yj · 07/18/2006, 11:16 AM

Ok, I've got a Nanocube 12DX that's been up and running for 4 1/2 weeks and been cycled for about 2 weeks. I've read tons of threads about hair algae over the last week. I know I don't want a mithrax crab due to their possible aggressiveness. I don't want the hassle of trying to remove it later, so I"m left with these options. I'm wondering what I should do. Here's some history first:

5 Astrea & 3 unknown snails - only thing available in my area other than Turbo snails
Cheato & PhosBan in rear chambers
25% water change twice weekly
Nitrate with old kit reads 10-20
Phosphate is unknown (have PO4 and NO3 kits on order)
I use distilled water for top-off & RO/DI for water changes
I've reduced my lighting to about 6-8 hours a day.

So, which is my best plan of attack?

1. Let the tank work itself out with regular water changes. Give the Phosban & cheato more time to work?

2. Buy hermits, which I really don't want, to see if they'll eat the hair algae?

3. Take each rock out, scrub them and replace? Will this mess anything in the sandbed up or cause another cycle?

I've been using hemostats to pull the hair algae out of the sand, but it doesn't work too well for the rocks. I've tried my fingers, but get like one hair at time. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

Mel

bman2221 · 07/18/2006, 11:59 AM

Getting a Sea Hare would definatley take care of it, they eat it up pretty quickly.

mels95yj · 07/18/2006, 04:58 PM

Anyone else?

Mel

fservillon · 07/18/2006, 05:39 PM

turbo snails. order them online if you dont have it local. better than hermits imho. worked for me.

07/18/2006, 11:16 AM	#1
mels95yj Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 196	Which plan of attack for hair algae? Ok, I've got a Nanocube 12DX that's been up and running for 4 1/2 weeks and been cycled for about 2 weeks. I've read tons of threads about hair algae over the last week. I know I don't want a mithrax crab due to their possible aggressiveness. I don't want the hassle of trying to remove it later, so I"m left with these options. I'm wondering what I should do. Here's some history first: 5 Astrea & 3 unknown snails - only thing available in my area other than Turbo snails Cheato & PhosBan in rear chambers 25% water change twice weekly Nitrate with old kit reads 10-20 Phosphate is unknown (have PO4 and NO3 kits on order) I use distilled water for top-off & RO/DI for water changes I've reduced my lighting to about 6-8 hours a day. So, which is my best plan of attack? 1. Let the tank work itself out with regular water changes. Give the Phosban & cheato more time to work? 2. Buy hermits, which I really don't want, to see if they'll eat the hair algae? 3. Take each rock out, scrub them and replace? Will this mess anything in the sandbed up or cause another cycle? I've been using hemostats to pull the hair algae out of the sand, but it doesn't work too well for the rocks. I've tried my fingers, but get like one hair at time. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!!! Mel

07/18/2006, 05:39 PM	#4
fservillon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Rancho Bernardo, CA Posts: 211	turbo snails. order them online if you dont have it local. better than hermits imho. worked for me. __________________ F.D.S. Current Tank Info: 60G Cube (2'x2'x2'), 1 x XM 250W 20K MH, 1 x Seio 1500, 1 x Seio 1100, CSS 65 Skimmer, Sumpless, Fugeless, 50lbs Fiji LR, Barebottom, Softies Tank

07/18/2006, 11:59 AM	#2
bman2221 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springboro, OH Posts: 50	Getting a Sea Hare would definatley take care of it, they eat it up pretty quickly.

07/18/2006, 04:58 PM	#3
mels95yj Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 196	Anyone else? Mel