Green Hair Algae

[sj226]

Seem to have a probllem with green hair algae all over the tank. I have repeatedly taken out the rock. scrubbed it all off, done weekly water changes, and turned down the lighting to only 5 hours per day (20,000K MH 175W) on a 92G tank. I used to have two hanging and took one off thinking that perhaps too much light was the problem. I am not using RO water. Perhaps that is the probem? Funny thing is that friends of mine in the same community do their water changes with tap water and don't seem to have the same problem with green algae. The fish are all very healthy but the corals keep dying off except for one resilient colt coral. Any ideas to get this problem under control?

[Mugster]

Welcome to Aquarium Pros.

Hair algae is a real PITA but it can be beaten. Do a search of my threads and you'll find my battle with HA. It took me 8 months to erradicate it completely but it was worth it.

First we'll need some more info on your system.

How long has it been setup? How large is your bioload? (how many fish). How much live rock do you have? How old are your bulbs? Are you using a skimmer? Do you test your water and if so what are your parameters?

I would recommend getting a RO or RODI unit and stop using tapwater. Phosphates and excess nutrients fuel HA. Pick up a phosphate test kit and if the results are high try using a phosphate sponge. If you're not skimming consider getting a good skimmer. Upgrading my skimmer made a world of a difference in my battle.

This is what I did. I physically removed as much of the HA as possible. I cut back on feedings and even changed brands of flake food as some have high phosphate levels. I replaced my bulbs and cut back the photo period and as I mentioned upgraded my skimmer. I even bought two Sea Hares to help but they didn't seem to like HA (others have had better luck with SHs).

Eventually I got rid of most of the HA but there was still some that refused to go away. I removed the remaining LR and placed it into a totally dark container with a heater, power head, and air stone and left it for approx. 5 weeks which completely wiped out any remaining HA.

Good luck and keep us posted.


HTH,
Kev

[nynick]

What you feed would be the most important part. I have found that I will get different types of algae as I change brand of food. After switching to Omega One exclusively for dryfood I have had no more algae problems in either fresh or salt water. Having said that don't expect the change to come over night, it takes months.

Taking the rocks out and scrubbing them is futile at best and could do more harm than good. Algae isn't there just because it is there, it is there for the nutrients and that is what you must fight. If you just mechanically remove the algae the nutrient levels of your tank will just rise and that is even worse than HA. The other problem with having loads of algae is that you can no longer rely on test results. Your Nitrates and Phosphates will probably be a flat zero since HA use it all up the moment it is avaliable. What you might want to test though is Iron and if it is high put in some carbon to absorb it.

Unless you have a very high evaporation rate I wouldn't worry too much about RO vs. tap water. The nutrients in your tank are mostly from the food you put in. I know many reefers from lots of places (me included) that do not use RO/DI water and have no problems with algae. Having said that, RO/DI will help some but it sometimes sounds like people think that all they have to do is to use it and after that no more problems what so ever. I also wouldn't bother with any chemical sponges as algae is far more effective in getting the nutrients than any Nitrate/Phosphate sponge could ever be. These things are mostly preventive (if even that) and if you already have an algae breakout they will probably be filtering perfectly clean water.

I have succesfully battled different types of algea in planted freshwater tanks by simply switching the brand of dryfood I use and anyone that has ever had a fully planted tank will know that algae in a reef tank is a piece of cake in comparaison. The best thing to do is usually small permanent changes and then just wait. You could also add a small grazer like a blenny of some sort to clear the way for coraline to grow in. They might not be as effective as a Lettuce Nudi or Sea Hare but have the advantage of being able to thrive even when your tank is not an algae forrest anymore to patrol it and keep any small outbreaks in check.

[sj226]

Thanks for the advice. The tank is stalked with a total of 5 fish (1 clown, 3 damsels, 1 anthius), 2 starfish, 1 cleaner shrimp, about 150lbs live rock. I do have a skimmer but I don't think that it is the best as it doesn't produce a lot of waste.

Come to think of it I did start using a new food before my problem started but I also added sand to my tank before my problem started as well. I will change my food and do all my water tests and get back to you guys with the results. Thanks.

Shell

[psiico]

I'm an evil tap water user too! No algae except for one bubble of valonia, about 4 mm in size. It's been there for months, hasn't grown any either. Well, some algae, otherwise my snails would be dead from starvation, but none visible. I clean the glass once a week or so of green algae, but there's not much. For the record I do plan to switch to RO eventually, but not for algae reasons. AJ makes me feel guilty with his RO water speeches, lol.

What kind of skimmer do you have?