Out of Control Hair Algae

moneymm · 02/03/2019, 09:02 AM

best way to remove this?

i know i need to do a water change and change the media/filters, i havent done anything in a real long time.

1 water change in the past year.

maybe i am not cut out for this hobby...

or maybe a clean tank will get me back into this.

Jason9488 · 02/03/2019, 09:15 AM

Lack of maintenance, nutrient control and clean up crew will die that.

lapin · 02/03/2019, 09:21 AM

Looks like a fish only tank. Maybe get fish that like to hide in grasses. Go with the lagoon style. I like the look of all the tuffs of grass.

DancingShark · 02/03/2019, 09:28 AM

If you want to be lazy you can use fluconazole to kill the hair algea. It worked for me in my under filtered sumpless 10g tank.

moneymm · 02/03/2019, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

Looks like a fish only tank. Maybe get fish that like to hide in grasses. Go with the lagoon style. I like the look of all the tuffs of grass.

theres 3 corals buried under the grass

lapin · 02/03/2019, 09:47 AM

Get some GSP, cabage leathers and other nutrient lovin stuff if ya want corals

FishAndPhysics · 02/03/2019, 10:39 AM

I would test your water parameters, first and foremost. Your nitrates may not be that high, because your hair algae is probably doing an excellent job removing them. However, most people find this an unpleasant nutrient extraction method

. You need a different nutrient export method, be that chaeto, water changes, etc. Once the problem is more contained, a lawnmower blenny could be a good solution to any remaining hair algae. But you need to fix the underlying nutrient problem first.

Uncle99 · 02/03/2019, 12:46 PM

Yup, that description is correct.
The issue for GHA is simply maintenance, if you gave no time to maintain, nutrients builds and poof, GHA.

You could use fluconazole, but if you don't fix the nutrient problem, it will just come back.

Remove as much by hand and syphon.
Place some Ninja or regular Astrea snails on the affected areas, redirect them manually back to the algae areas weekly.
Reduce nitrate to 5ppm.......consider less feedings and/ or carbon dose with NoPox.
Reduce phosphate to a max of .1, 0.05 better by using an LC followed by GFO
Reduce light photoperiod.
4 day blackout.

Then, weekly 10% water change or 20% biweekly.

mcgyvr · 02/04/2019, 06:10 AM

Fluc it man..Fluc it
Then a few nice water changes a couple weeks after that should get you back on track

Uncle99 · 02/04/2019, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Fluc it man..Fluc it
Then a few nice water changes a couple weeks after that should get you back on track

That's cheating!

mcgyvr · 02/04/2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

That's cheating!

Some people have the time/patience,etc... for this hobby..
Some don't..
Luckily we have choices/easy buttons now..
One could
1-Put in the hard work/time/more money,etc... and hopefully see results in months..
Or
2-Fluc it and see results in weeks without all the "processes,etc..."

In my life at this time #2 is the easy choice for me.. I suspect with them it will be too as they already seem to not have time to fully dedicate themselves to the "natural way"..

OldReefGuy · 02/04/2019, 10:47 AM

I have had great success with PhosRX and a urchin.....but like the rest have said, find out the source of nitrates and phosphates and fix that first.

Uncle99 · 02/04/2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Some people have the time/patience,etc... for this hobby..
Some don't..
Luckily we have choices/easy buttons now..
One could
1-Put in the hard work/time/more money,etc... and hopefully see results in months..
Or
2-Fluc it and see results in weeks without all the "processes,etc..."

In my life at this time #2 is the easy choice for me.. I suspect with them it will be too as they already seem to not have time to fully dedicate themselves to the "natural way"..

I just had some concern that once done, if the prob is not identified, doesn't it just come back with a vengeance!

mcgyvr · 02/04/2019, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

I just had some concern that once done, if the prob is not identified, doesn't it just come back with a vengeance!

Yep.. That is always a possibility..
Hopefully they are aware that the reason the tank got that way is that they weren't taking proper/sufficient care of their tank..
While we can kill the algae quickly enough to keep them in happy.. That treatment doesn't also solve the lack of maintenance issue.. They will need to start addressing that also..
What exactly that will require is not fully known at this time..
Getting back on a decent maintenance schedule and checking parameters is a good start for them to see what level of work is needed to maintain the tank..
Adapt/adjust as needed..

Crusinjimbo · 02/05/2019, 06:17 AM

I suggest you bomb it with fluc AND figure a method to reduce your tank’s NO3/PO4 or it will return. I would recommend a functional algae turf scrubber, ATS. You know you can grow GHA like a champ so all you need to do is control where it flourishes. Create a better growth environment inside a controlled and cleanable location, ATS

moneymm · 02/11/2019, 03:35 PM

i am going away next week, if i fluc it today, will i be needed around for removing the algae manually, or does it just disappear into the water over time?

mcgyvr · 02/11/2019, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneymm

i am going away next week, if i fluc it today, will i be needed around for removing the algae manually, or does it just disappear into the water over time?

It typically takes 2 weeks to really start working..
No need to babysit it.. Most will just disappear.. Some will release from the rock and float around to be removed via a net or whatever..

moneymm · 02/11/2019, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

It typically takes 2 weeks to really start working..
No need to babysit it.. Most will just disappear.. Some will release from the rock and float around to be removed via a net or whatever..

thats the problem for 7 days noone will be around to net anything... should i just wait till i come home?

moneymm · 02/27/2019, 01:36 PM

its been 2 weeks, i havent seen any change at all, still stuck on the rocks very well too.

Kriegad · 02/27/2019, 01:41 PM

Did you turn off your skimmer and remove all carbon when you dosed the fluc?

Uncle99 · 02/27/2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneymm

its been 2 weeks, i havent seen any change at all, still stuck on the rocks very well too.

Pull the green, brush the rock.
4-25% water changes in a week
Start GFO

When phosphate is down to below .1 and you are providing the correct amount, color and length of photoperiod, your GHA will not return.

Reduce feedings (largest contributor to phosphate) and maintain a 10-15% water change weekly.

Also makes sure nitrate is below 5ppm and PH runs 7.8 -8.3

moneymm · 02/27/2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kriegad

Did you turn off your skimmer and remove all carbon when you dosed the fluc?

yes

Kriegad · 02/27/2019, 04:55 PM

Green hair algae takes longer than bryopsis for it to work. Maybe wait 3 weeks. Might need to do another dose. Fluc eliminated my bryopsis issue in about 2 weeks.

moneymm · 03/01/2019, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kriegad

Green hair algae takes longer than bryopsis for it to work. Maybe wait 3 weeks. Might need to do another dose. Fluc eliminated my bryopsis issue in about 2 weeks.

still nothing at all, i did another dose.

FortyFour · 03/01/2019, 09:52 PM

Fluuuuuuuuc(k)

02/03/2019, 09:21 AM	#3
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	Looks like a fish only tank. Maybe get fish that like to hide in grasses. Go with the lagoon style. I like the look of all the tuffs of grass. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

02/03/2019, 09:47 AM	#6
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	Get some GSP, cabage leathers and other nutrient lovin stuff if ya want corals __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

02/04/2019, 06:10 AM	#9
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Fluc it man..Fluc it Then a few nice water changes a couple weeks after that should get you back on track __________________ Who me?

02/05/2019, 06:17 AM	#15
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	I suggest you bomb it with fluc AND figure a method to reduce your tank’s NO3/PO4 or it will return. I would recommend a functional algae turf scrubber, ATS. You know you can grow GHA like a champ so all you need to do is control where it flourishes. Create a better growth environment inside a controlled and cleanable location, ATS __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

02/11/2019, 03:35 PM	#16
moneymm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 548	i am going away next week, if i fluc it today, will i be needed around for removing the algae manually, or does it just disappear into the water over time? __________________ 45 Gallon Bow DT - Lifereef Berlin Sump/Skimmer - 36" ATI Dimmable Sunpower 4 x 39W Phantom Clown, Ocellaris Cown, 10 Snails, 4 Hermit Crabs

02/03/2019, 09:15 AM	#2
Jason9488 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 152	Lack of maintenance, nutrient control and clean up crew will die that.

02/03/2019, 09:28 AM	#4
DancingShark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 126	If you want to be lazy you can use fluconazole to kill the hair algea. It worked for me in my under filtered sumpless 10g tank.

02/03/2019, 10:39 AM	#7
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	I would test your water parameters, first and foremost. Your nitrates may not be that high, because your hair algae is probably doing an excellent job removing them. However, most people find this an unpleasant nutrient extraction method . You need a different nutrient export method, be that chaeto, water changes, etc. Once the problem is more contained, a lawnmower blenny could be a good solution to any remaining hair algae. But you need to fix the underlying nutrient problem first.

02/03/2019, 12:46 PM	#8
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Yup, that description is correct. The issue for GHA is simply maintenance, if you gave no time to maintain, nutrients builds and poof, GHA. You could use fluconazole, but if you don't fix the nutrient problem, it will just come back. Remove as much by hand and syphon. Place some Ninja or regular Astrea snails on the affected areas, redirect them manually back to the algae areas weekly. Reduce nitrate to 5ppm.......consider less feedings and/ or carbon dose with NoPox. Reduce phosphate to a max of .1, 0.05 better by using an LC followed by GFO Reduce light photoperiod. 4 day blackout. Then, weekly 10% water change or 20% biweekly.

02/04/2019, 10:47 AM	#12
OldReefGuy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 542	I have had great success with PhosRX and a urchin.....but like the rest have said, find out the source of nitrates and phosphates and fix that first.

02/27/2019, 01:36 PM	#19
moneymm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 548	its been 2 weeks, i havent seen any change at all, still stuck on the rocks very well too. __________________ 45 Gallon Bow DT - Lifereef Berlin Sump/Skimmer - 36" ATI Dimmable Sunpower 4 x 39W Phantom Clown, Ocellaris Cown, 10 Snails, 4 Hermit Crabs

02/27/2019, 01:41 PM	#20
Kriegad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 51	Did you turn off your skimmer and remove all carbon when you dosed the fluc?

02/27/2019, 04:55 PM	#23
Kriegad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 51	Green hair algae takes longer than bryopsis for it to work. Maybe wait 3 weeks. Might need to do another dose. Fluc eliminated my bryopsis issue in about 2 weeks.

03/01/2019, 09:52 PM	#25
FortyFour Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 371	Fluuuuuuuuc(k)