hair algae prevention (what causes to begin with)

RUGDOG · 01/26/2007, 12:23 PM

have had a few salt tanks over the last several years and in one way or the other and some worse than others I always end up with it. I am starting a new 110 pentagon corner tank nowand would love to avoid HA. also sorry I would have searched more but that function NEVER! seems to work.
thanks in advance

InvaderJim · 01/26/2007, 12:29 PM

Phosphates cause it.

Test for Phosphates in your tank(s) with HA.

RUGDOG · 01/26/2007, 12:33 PM

so remove phosphate either with a product like rowa or with a reactor and that would do it?

Craig Lambert · 01/26/2007, 12:45 PM

Phosphates as stated above. Primarily due to lack of nutrient export, and/or too much nutrient import. Best solutions are an excellent skimmer, a fuge w/cheato, good flow,not over feeding, and rinsing all frozen cube foods prior to placing it in the tank. Also keep your water parameters in check. (Especially Alkalinity).
Only use RODI water with a TDS reading of 0 for topoff and mixing nsw.

kfowler · 01/26/2007, 12:53 PM

Phos are definitely a major fact but there's other things you can consider.

Mat sure you're not overfeeding your tank.
Reduce your photo period.
Weekly water changes.
Active cleanup crew.

RUGDOG · 01/26/2007, 03:58 PM

THANKS ALL

01/26/2007, 12:23 PM	#1
RUGDOG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 364	hair algae prevention (what causes to begin with) have had a few salt tanks over the last several years and in one way or the other and some worse than others I always end up with it. I am starting a new 110 pentagon corner tank nowand would love to avoid HA. also sorry I would have searched more but that function NEVER! seems to work. thanks in advance

01/26/2007, 12:45 PM	#4
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	Phosphates as stated above. Primarily due to lack of nutrient export, and/or too much nutrient import. Best solutions are an excellent skimmer, a fuge w/cheato, good flow,not over feeding, and rinsing all frozen cube foods prior to placing it in the tank. Also keep your water parameters in check. (Especially Alkalinity). Only use RODI water with a TDS reading of 0 for topoff and mixing nsw. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic Last edited by Craig Lambert; 01/26/2007 at 12:56 PM.

01/26/2007, 12:53 PM	#5
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	Phos are definitely a major fact but there's other things you can consider. Mat sure you're not overfeeding your tank. Reduce your photo period. Weekly water changes. Active cleanup crew. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

01/26/2007, 12:29 PM	#2
InvaderJim Coral Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,163	Phosphates cause it. Test for Phosphates in your tank(s) with HA.

01/26/2007, 12:33 PM	#3
RUGDOG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 364	so remove phosphate either with a product like rowa or with a reactor and that would do it?

01/26/2007, 03:58 PM	#6
RUGDOG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: alabama Posts: 364	THANKS ALL