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Unread 06/27/2017, 07:18 PM   #1
PirateLove
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If you start your tank with dry rock and dry sand will you ever get Hair Algae

Like the title states, if you do not add any coral (just fish) is there any way your tank can get hair algae?


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Unread 06/27/2017, 07:22 PM   #2
scuzy
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If you start your tank with dry rock and dry sand will you ever get Hair Algae

Yes. I had it come back on certain rocks.


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Unread 06/27/2017, 07:36 PM   #3
Smokey Stover
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Yes I did, It's starting to grow on the rear glass, Tops of the rockwork, And even on a few of the slower moving hermits, At least the new tank Diatom phase is winding down lol.


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Unread 06/27/2017, 07:48 PM   #4
babyg2.0
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Yes! I have a 20gal setup with only two clowns. I used pebbles (which they love to push around and play with) and large plastic decorations and I had a horrid hair algae problem for over 3 months! It was the worst!


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Unread 06/27/2017, 07:56 PM   #5
2wheelsonly
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phosphates are the key contributor to hair algae, dry rock and sand are known for leaching them. The ONLY time I have ever had issues with hair algae was when I put dry rock in my tank way back in the day. It took 3 years for my marco rocks to stop leaching them, never again will I go that route!


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Unread 06/27/2017, 08:31 PM   #6
heathlindner25
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Unread 06/27/2017, 08:41 PM   #7
ca1ore
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It is impossible to keep the algae spores from hitching in on corals.


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Unread 06/28/2017, 10:02 AM   #8
jda
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Do not believe the "sterlie" bunk that gets sold with dead/dry rock. The first frag that you get can bring in all of the nasites that you could possibly want.

The dry/dead rock contributes more to algae since it is nearly always bound with organics and phosphates. It is nearly never a bargain. Ocean live rock (pacific is best) is usually the best bet for lower algae blooms and better denitrification.


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Unread 06/28/2017, 10:43 AM   #9
Mishri
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yeah, even if you don't get corals it can come in with fish or anything else wet you add. I've had it in an otherwise sterile tank. Fish only with dead rock.


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Unread 06/28/2017, 10:56 AM   #10
der_wille_zur_macht
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jda View Post
The dry/dead rock contributes more to algae since it is nearly always bound with organics and phosphates. It is nearly never a bargain. Ocean live rock (pacific is best) is usually the best bet for lower algae blooms and better denitrification.
I don't think the issue is dead versus live rock, but rather the quality of the product you use. There is plenty of really horrible live rock sold in this hobby, totally coated with dying gunk. Same as there is some bad dry rock out there that is also encrusted with dead stuff. Choose dry vs live based on your goals and your approach, then get the highest quality product you can.


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Unread 06/28/2017, 11:51 AM   #11
sde1500
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Obviously some people missed the comment about no corals. But answer is absolutely 100% yes, you will get hair algae.


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Unread 06/30/2017, 08:20 AM   #12
64Ivy
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Okay then, I'll ask: If we're just talking fish and no corals or inverts, where's this algae coming from?


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Unread 06/30/2017, 09:45 AM   #13
AlSimmons
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FWIW I had fish only tank with LACE rock many years ago and I never saw any GHA. Diatoms & Cyanobacteria showed up, but that was about it. The lighting wasn't very intense though. Also, I just set up a 20 gallon long a few months ago and used some live rock I got at my LFS. (Fiji I believe) There's not a whole lot of life ON the rocks, but I did see some bristle worms, amphipods etc. Anyways, Diatoms is about the only thing that's showed up in this tank so far and I use tap water. Go figure...


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