hair on live rock

hayes_101 · 05/07/2010, 08:17 PM

ok it is probably normal but I figured I would ask any way. I have a 3 month old tank with live rock 2 fish and a crab. any way my question is in the last 4 weeks I have noticed light short (hair) growing on the rock looks like some kinda small plants I cant git a good pick. they are too fine for the camera. is it normal? I am going tomorow to pick up a better cleaning crew. posably a eurchin a brittle stare an a hermet crab or 2.

Zappo · 05/07/2010, 08:28 PM

The urchin would probably help, but cutting off the algae's food supply is best. How's your nitrate/phosphate levels? If they're high, you'll be fighting a losing battle unless you address that first.

EDIT: Sorry, yes it's pretty normal in new tanks where there's still nitrates left over from cycling. Checking on the levels of the nutrients should be the first step in figuring out what to do. Hair algae can get out of hand in a hurry with plenty of food and light.

rayn · 05/07/2010, 08:32 PM

If they are elavated then run some phosban and carbon in your sump (if you have one) or in a HOB filter. This will HELP to take it out, made a big difference in mine.

hayes_101 · 05/07/2010, 08:35 PM

well my nitrate levels are only 5ppm and phosphates ummmmmm well you might shoot me but I do not have the checker for that I will be looking for one tomorow! my closest pet store is 2 hr away. they are not overgrowing my tank or anything they are just there and really really short. about 1/8" long at the max.

hayes_101 · 05/07/2010, 08:36 PM

i have carbon going threw my canester, and in the next few weeks I will have a 20 gal sump for it

Sean41 · 05/07/2010, 08:37 PM

If you still have this problem try a sea hare. I put one in a 125g and it cleaned it up in a few weeks. you will notice the difference.

hayes_101 · 05/07/2010, 08:38 PM

never herd of one I will look it up tho

rayn · 05/07/2010, 08:40 PM

I was in the same boat as you for the phosphate test. Try some trochus snails too, mine seem to be working away on my HA. I'm thinking about a sea hare, but maybe a lawn mower blenny per another recommendation on a different thread. Also try doing a search on hair algea, bunch of info out there.

hayes_101 · 05/07/2010, 08:41 PM

see the hair is not green it is almost a white or grey in color.

blennydude · 05/07/2010, 10:19 PM

Try an old toothbrush.

hayes_101 · 05/08/2010, 07:11 AM

ya it jusk comes back I will be gitting a critter today to deal with it!

Ron Cote · 05/08/2010, 10:04 AM

Toothbrush is an immediate help for this fine hair algae, but adding critters and paying attention to your chemistry will eventually solve your problem. I can definitely feel your pain as I went through this over a year ago. Good luck!

05/07/2010, 08:17 PM	#1
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	hair on live rock ok it is probably normal but I figured I would ask any way. I have a 3 month old tank with live rock 2 fish and a crab. any way my question is in the last 4 weeks I have noticed light short (hair) growing on the rock looks like some kinda small plants I cant git a good pick. they are too fine for the camera. is it normal? I am going tomorow to pick up a better cleaning crew. posably a eurchin a brittle stare an a hermet crab or 2.

05/07/2010, 10:19 PM	#10
blennydude Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern, MI Posts: 111	Try an old toothbrush. __________________ When I see people post "0" nitrates, my bs meter blows up. Current Tank Info: 65 gal. mixed reef. 29 gal oceanic bio cube

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05/07/2010, 08:28 PM	#2
Zappo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 582	The urchin would probably help, but cutting off the algae's food supply is best. How's your nitrate/phosphate levels? If they're high, you'll be fighting a losing battle unless you address that first. EDIT: Sorry, yes it's pretty normal in new tanks where there's still nitrates left over from cycling. Checking on the levels of the nutrients should be the first step in figuring out what to do. Hair algae can get out of hand in a hurry with plenty of food and light.

05/07/2010, 08:32 PM	#3
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	If they are elavated then run some phosban and carbon in your sump (if you have one) or in a HOB filter. This will HELP to take it out, made a big difference in mine.

05/07/2010, 08:35 PM	#4
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	well my nitrate levels are only 5ppm and phosphates ummmmmm well you might shoot me but I do not have the checker for that I will be looking for one tomorow! my closest pet store is 2 hr away. they are not overgrowing my tank or anything they are just there and really really short. about 1/8" long at the max.

05/07/2010, 08:36 PM	#5
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	i have carbon going threw my canester, and in the next few weeks I will have a 20 gal sump for it

05/07/2010, 08:37 PM	#6
Sean41 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sunrise, FL Posts: 51	If you still have this problem try a sea hare. I put one in a 125g and it cleaned it up in a few weeks. you will notice the difference.

05/07/2010, 08:38 PM	#7
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	never herd of one I will look it up tho

05/07/2010, 08:40 PM	#8
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	I was in the same boat as you for the phosphate test. Try some trochus snails too, mine seem to be working away on my HA. I'm thinking about a sea hare, but maybe a lawn mower blenny per another recommendation on a different thread. Also try doing a search on hair algea, bunch of info out there.

05/07/2010, 08:41 PM	#9
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	see the hair is not green it is almost a white or grey in color.

05/08/2010, 07:11 AM	#11
hayes_101 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: yarmouth N.S Posts: 214	ya it jusk comes back I will be gitting a critter today to deal with it!

05/08/2010, 10:04 AM	#12
Ron Cote Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 55	Toothbrush is an immediate help for this fine hair algae, but adding critters and paying attention to your chemistry will eventually solve your problem. I can definitely feel your pain as I went through this over a year ago. Good luck!