Cant shake the hair

Marchingbandjs · 11/02/2009, 04:31 PM

38g tank
Various coral
2 Clowns
2 Damsels
1 Firefish

2-96watt pc

coralife superskimmer 65 - cup of skimmate per day

Aqueon powerfilter 30 (activated carbon)

HOB sump (chaeto, Phosban, rubble)

shallow sand bed, 30-45 pounds of rock

feed twice a day

I get brown algae on glass a lot and on sand, and hair everywhere... makes me feel like its the cycle again

5 months old

weekly waterchanges

ro/di 0ppm

IO reef salt

any ideas/

jener8tionx · 11/02/2009, 04:39 PM

Cut the feeding to once every other day or every third day.

urbanrat84 · 11/02/2009, 05:56 PM

If you are getting algae on the sand bed I would look at increasing flow or getting a better distribution of flow to all areas of the tank.

Other than that, it can be a good thing - I personally utilise the algae that grows in my tank. It allows me to keep a healthy breeding population of turbo snails and a pencil urchin. When I clean the glass, the loosened algae feeds nearby corals on its way to being skimmed out of the tank.

An urchin would help take care of the hair algae. If you don't have a clean up crew maybe adding some algae loving inverts will help.

Ellie2103 · 11/02/2009, 05:59 PM

Cut the feeding or get a hair eater. I had it and but a hair algae eater.

Marchingbandjs · 11/03/2009, 04:47 PM

What inverts would u suggest...

I am wanting to get a urchin, in fact i might get one soon...

am3gross · 11/03/2009, 05:21 PM

i have got a freshwater mollie and he eats the crap out of the algae in my tank.. just make sure you acclimate him slowly!

Marchingbandjs · 11/03/2009, 06:50 PM

how slowly is slowly

ininerider · 11/03/2009, 07:07 PM

Check your PO2 levels. I suggest using a phosban reactor. These work very well and will help keep phosphates in check. I agree on cutting down on your feeding but it is possible to feed and keep PO2 levels in check. Do several water changes and test your water. How long do you have your lights on? Is your skimmer putting out a dry foam? A cup a day seems like alot...I have an Excalliber skimmer and empty the cup once a week and it usually only has about an ince of wste in it.

lougotzz · 11/03/2009, 08:19 PM

How does taht work taking a freshwater mollie and adding it to a salt tank?

Marchingbandjs · 11/03/2009, 09:03 PM

I believe they are brackish fish, and if acclimated slowly enough, i think over a few weeks. Then it can survive in saltwater as it will adapt

11/02/2009, 04:31 PM	#1
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	Cant shake the hair 38g tank Various coral 2 Clowns 2 Damsels 1 Firefish 2-96watt pc coralife superskimmer 65 - cup of skimmate per day Aqueon powerfilter 30 (activated carbon) HOB sump (chaeto, Phosban, rubble) shallow sand bed, 30-45 pounds of rock feed twice a day I get brown algae on glass a lot and on sand, and hair everywhere... makes me feel like its the cycle again 5 months old weekly waterchanges ro/di 0ppm IO reef salt any ideas/

11/02/2009, 05:56 PM	#3
urbanrat84 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 246	If you are getting algae on the sand bed I would look at increasing flow or getting a better distribution of flow to all areas of the tank. Other than that, it can be a good thing - I personally utilise the algae that grows in my tank. It allows me to keep a healthy breeding population of turbo snails and a pencil urchin. When I clean the glass, the loosened algae feeds nearby corals on its way to being skimmed out of the tank. An urchin would help take care of the hair algae. If you don't have a clean up crew maybe adding some algae loving inverts will help. __________________ Megan Current Tank Info: Dedicated BTA tank - been in the hobby since Jan 07

11/02/2009, 04:39 PM	#2
jener8tionx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N. Mesa, Az Posts: 524	Cut the feeding to once every other day or every third day.

11/02/2009, 05:59 PM	#4
Ellie2103 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alabaster, Al Posts: 98	Cut the feeding or get a hair eater. I had it and but a hair algae eater.

11/03/2009, 04:47 PM	#5
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	What inverts would u suggest... I am wanting to get a urchin, in fact i might get one soon...

11/03/2009, 05:21 PM	#6
am3gross Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: va Posts: 1,243	i have got a freshwater mollie and he eats the crap out of the algae in my tank.. just make sure you acclimate him slowly!

11/03/2009, 06:50 PM	#7
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	how slowly is slowly

11/03/2009, 07:07 PM	#8
ininerider Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Banner Elk NC Posts: 24	Check your PO2 levels. I suggest using a phosban reactor. These work very well and will help keep phosphates in check. I agree on cutting down on your feeding but it is possible to feed and keep PO2 levels in check. Do several water changes and test your water. How long do you have your lights on? Is your skimmer putting out a dry foam? A cup a day seems like alot...I have an Excalliber skimmer and empty the cup once a week and it usually only has about an ince of wste in it.

11/03/2009, 08:19 PM	#9
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	How does taht work taking a freshwater mollie and adding it to a salt tank?

11/03/2009, 09:03 PM	#10
Marchingbandjs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 195	I believe they are brackish fish, and if acclimated slowly enough, i think over a few weeks. Then it can survive in saltwater as it will adapt