Should I clean up a small amount of hair algae?

Capslock118 · 12/04/2007, 07:42 PM

This past weekend I just cleaned the front and two side panes of my glass from all the hair algae that was on it. The snails were doing a good job getting rid of it but they either lost interest or the hair just grew too much.

I also wanted to scrub the glass to get rid of the small greens that was on the glass so I can see better into the tank.

Anyways, the only bit that is left is a generous amount on my overflow ,which I like because it hides the overflows unattractiveness a bit, and the back glass pane which is about 60% covered in hair algae.

A lot of it is starting to turn brown, presumably from a decline in phosphate and a protein skimmer just recently installed.

If this algae is dying or not (but more importantly if its dying), should I still remove it? I find it to be good to keep phosphate under control but I thought I would get opinions from you folks.

reefergeorge · 12/04/2007, 07:54 PM

I have never really worried about hair algae. I just keep up my wcs and check my rodi filter, and it goes away as fast as it comes. JMO

demonsp · 12/04/2007, 08:06 PM

You could just remove it but it will grow back. Elimanating the source is best.

Blown 346 · 12/04/2007, 08:33 PM

I would remove it before it gets way out of hand.

bertoni · 12/04/2007, 08:56 PM

I left my little patch of hair algae in the tank because I thought it was interesting. It died out on its own. I still get a bit on the powerhead outputs.

I'd probably leave the patch in the tank, but I take risks that way.

jamiep · 12/05/2007, 06:16 AM

when I had problems during my cycle, I let it grow on the back glass and then when it got long run a credit card up the glass to remove the nutrients from my system altogether instead of wiping it off with an algae magnet an letting it die somewhere just to release the nutrients back into my water. I always removed it right away from the rocks.

Best to find the source of you problem first though!

12/04/2007, 07:42 PM	#1
Capslock118 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 93	Should I clean up a small amount of hair algae? This past weekend I just cleaned the front and two side panes of my glass from all the hair algae that was on it. The snails were doing a good job getting rid of it but they either lost interest or the hair just grew too much. I also wanted to scrub the glass to get rid of the small greens that was on the glass so I can see better into the tank. Anyways, the only bit that is left is a generous amount on my overflow ,which I like because it hides the overflows unattractiveness a bit, and the back glass pane which is about 60% covered in hair algae. A lot of it is starting to turn brown, presumably from a decline in phosphate and a protein skimmer just recently installed. If this algae is dying or not (but more importantly if its dying), should I still remove it? I find it to be good to keep phosphate under control but I thought I would get opinions from you folks.

12/04/2007, 07:54 PM	#2
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I have never really worried about hair algae. I just keep up my wcs and check my rodi filter, and it goes away as fast as it comes. JMO __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

12/04/2007, 08:56 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I left my little patch of hair algae in the tank because I thought it was interesting. It died out on its own. I still get a bit on the powerhead outputs. I'd probably leave the patch in the tank, but I take risks that way. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/04/2007, 08:06 PM	#3
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You could just remove it but it will grow back. Elimanating the source is best.

12/04/2007, 08:33 PM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would remove it before it gets way out of hand.

12/05/2007, 06:16 AM	#6
jamiep Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 458	when I had problems during my cycle, I let it grow on the back glass and then when it got long run a credit card up the glass to remove the nutrients from my system altogether instead of wiping it off with an algae magnet an letting it die somewhere just to release the nutrients back into my water. I always removed it right away from the rocks. Best to find the source of you problem first though!