Hair cut?

Imzadi · 09/09/2009, 04:57 PM

I have some hair algae oin my tank... quite a bit actually. Now, I am not offended by it, but I understand it is an indicator of other conditions. I dont have any test kits right now... but I know they are a little off. But what I would like to know is, can I just scrape it off the glass? I am going to put a loose weave, perhaps just a net over the drain of the over flow... should I leave it, and let it clear up naturally, or should I scrape? Is there any risk of scraping it off?

Crazy4Coral · 09/09/2009, 06:32 PM

You can clean it off the glass or you can get a Lawnmower blenny they love to feed on algae.

Imzadi · 09/09/2009, 06:57 PM

I like them too!

I have a... Diamond Goby. Are they compatible? or combatible?

paytonv · 09/09/2009, 07:16 PM

I agree that your algae problem may be due to water issues. In the meantime, you could cut down your photoperiod and adding an urchin, such as a tuxedo, hermits and an emerald crab should put a dent in the hair algae in the meantime.

ihavtats29 · 09/09/2009, 07:17 PM

i use large mex turbos i thru 5 in my 90 and they whiped the hair algae out in a week, but that can cause another issue or 2 as it did in my tank i ended up with a horrible cyano outbreak due to high phosphate levels, i would suggest adding some macro algae in your sump and leave the light on in your sump 24/7 , add some hair algae grazers , some smaller turbo's will take care of it slowly releasing the nitrates and phosphates back into the water table allowing the macro algae to absorb it , also run some phosguard or simular media to help reduce the phosphates

Steve175 · 09/09/2009, 07:31 PM

Also could consider a skimmer upgrade (more expensive than options above but likely best for overall long-term health for your tank).

Imzadi · 09/09/2009, 07:40 PM

My light time right now is 1pm Actinics, and 5pm for 18k T5s, whites off at 10, Actinics off at 11pm. So only 5 hours of full light. I could try to trim it a bit, to see if it helps. I have a rolling Cheato ball in the sump, and lights on it 24/7... which actually brings up another problem, the walls of my sump are getting algified... and even worse, INSIDE my skimmer... Going to see if I can find some sort of a sheet of thin, opaque plastic, and shield the other areas of the sump... arg.

I have 5 or 6 Nass Snails, and some... crap... little black snails. I have a Diamond Blenny, and an Orange Star. (Had a Blue Linkia, but of course, after the LFS said, 'Just toss it in, it will be fine!' it died)

I had Mexicans, but they wouldn't go near the substrane for some reason, and eventually died. They would touch the gravel, and roll over and pull in. Strangest thing! I had some cyano at the time, maybe they hated that. I will definetly get more.

I was going to pick up one of them Phosban things... The LFS has one for 70 bucks... but are they really that good? Don't think fight the bi-product, and not the actual problem? Or are they worth it?

So, if the snails get the Algae, that will crank up my phosphate levels?

Crazy4Coral · 09/09/2009, 07:42 PM

your goby will be fine with a Lawnmower blenny.

Imzadi · 09/09/2009, 07:52 PM

Good news, that is!

BuddhaKiss · 09/09/2009, 08:18 PM

A sea hare will destroy your hair algae...once the algae is gone, trade the hare back in or pass it to anothe reefer

Imzadi · 09/10/2009, 10:42 AM

Have yet to see one at my limited number of LFS, but I will be on the hunt.

09/09/2009, 04:57 PM	#1
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Hair cut? I have some hair algae oin my tank... quite a bit actually. Now, I am not offended by it, but I understand it is an indicator of other conditions. I dont have any test kits right now... but I know they are a little off. But what I would like to know is, can I just scrape it off the glass? I am going to put a loose weave, perhaps just a net over the drain of the over flow... should I leave it, and let it clear up naturally, or should I scrape? Is there any risk of scraping it off? __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

09/09/2009, 06:57 PM	#3
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	I like them too! I have a... Diamond Goby. Are they compatible? or combatible? __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

09/09/2009, 07:17 PM	#5
ihavtats29 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: cordova , TN Posts: 2,882	i use large mex turbos i thru 5 in my 90 and they whiped the hair algae out in a week, but that can cause another issue or 2 as it did in my tank i ended up with a horrible cyano outbreak due to high phosphate levels, i would suggest adding some macro algae in your sump and leave the light on in your sump 24/7 , add some hair algae grazers , some smaller turbo's will take care of it slowly releasing the nitrates and phosphates back into the water table allowing the macro algae to absorb it , also run some phosguard or simular media to help reduce the phosphates __________________ got reef? Current Tank Info: 29 biocube HQI

09/09/2009, 07:31 PM	#6
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	Also could consider a skimmer upgrade (more expensive than options above but likely best for overall long-term health for your tank). __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

09/09/2009, 07:40 PM	#7
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	My light time right now is 1pm Actinics, and 5pm for 18k T5s, whites off at 10, Actinics off at 11pm. So only 5 hours of full light. I could try to trim it a bit, to see if it helps. I have a rolling Cheato ball in the sump, and lights on it 24/7... which actually brings up another problem, the walls of my sump are getting algified... and even worse, INSIDE my skimmer... Going to see if I can find some sort of a sheet of thin, opaque plastic, and shield the other areas of the sump... arg. I have 5 or 6 Nass Snails, and some... crap... little black snails. I have a Diamond Blenny, and an Orange Star. (Had a Blue Linkia, but of course, after the LFS said, 'Just toss it in, it will be fine!' it died) I had Mexicans, but they wouldn't go near the substrane for some reason, and eventually died. They would touch the gravel, and roll over and pull in. Strangest thing! I had some cyano at the time, maybe they hated that. I will definetly get more. I was going to pick up one of them Phosban things... The LFS has one for 70 bucks... but are they really that good? Don't think fight the bi-product, and not the actual problem? Or are they worth it? So, if the snails get the Algae, that will crank up my phosphate levels? __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

09/09/2009, 06:32 PM	#2
Crazy4Coral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 59	You can clean it off the glass or you can get a Lawnmower blenny they love to feed on algae.

09/09/2009, 07:16 PM	#4
paytonv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, N.C. Posts: 242	I agree that your algae problem may be due to water issues. In the meantime, you could cut down your photoperiod and adding an urchin, such as a tuxedo, hermits and an emerald crab should put a dent in the hair algae in the meantime.

09/09/2009, 07:42 PM	#8
Crazy4Coral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 59	your goby will be fine with a Lawnmower blenny.

09/09/2009, 07:52 PM	#9
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Good news, that is! __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

09/09/2009, 08:18 PM	#10
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	A sea hare will destroy your hair algae...once the algae is gone, trade the hare back in or pass it to anothe reefer

09/10/2009, 10:42 AM	#11
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Have yet to see one at my limited number of LFS, but I will be on the hunt. __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!