Possible cure for Hair Algae

[Coffman34]

Don't know if this is 100% true, as I have yet to have the time to replicate the results.

The other day I grabbed a 23g 3cc needle from my work to do a little aptasia work. I went to WalMart and got some lemon juice. Took the rocks out that had the aptasia on them and placed them in a 3g tank I have with some saltwater from a water change. I then proceeded to stab the aptasia and inject them with the lemon juice.

So I got to thinking, if it kills aptasia by lowering the pH, then why shouldn't it work for hair algae? So I said, WTH, might as well try it. So I removed what I could from the rock, minus a small area, and slowly squirted the lemon juice on the surface where the hair algae that I had removed was. I then let it sit for about 20 mins in the 3g tank with no water movement. There was still a little bit left, but it's been 3 days. And The rock in those areas is bare. I can actually see the rock. And the part that was not trimmed and had lemon juice placed on it still has hair algae that is 1" in length.

Just something to think about. When I get another chance I will attempt it on the other parts of hair algae on the same rock.

But, one thing I did notice, is that there were some pods that were living in the hair algae, as soon as they got near the lemon juice it sent them running. And a minibrittle that just so happen to be in the area didn't like it to much either. So be careful if you do attempt to try this.

Coffman

[drummereef]

It probably disinegrated because of the acid in the lemon juice. Interesting observation none the less. :)

[papagimp]

Definatly interesting. Seems like you may be on to a better method of HA removal than killing the entire rock off like many opt to do. Keep us posted.

[Coffman34]

Or putting a fish that is 2x to big for our tanks into "temporarily." I will def. try to replicate it. Although it may cause harm to some bacteria or inverts that are near the hair algae. If you do it before the algae gets out of control, then you should have minimal impact. And like you said, would be better than killing off the whole rock.

[Coffman34]

Well it has been a couple of days since I did this, about a week actually. And the good news is that most of the hair algae that was not even touched by the lemon juice is also disappearing. Not for sure why exactly. But it is. Maybe someone should try this to see if it also works for them?

Coffman

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10257166#post10257166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coffman34
Well it has been a couple of days since I did this, about a week actually. And the good news is that most of the hair algae that was not even touched by the lemon juice is also disappearing. Not for sure why exactly. But it is. Maybe someone should try this to see if it also works for them?

Coffman

Well, that's good. Can you give us more info on the tank? Age of tank, water source - RO/DI or Tap, all water params? :)

[Coffman34]

no problemo. the tank is a 65g. it is a recent upgrade from a 29g. I still have the 29 plumbed into the new tank so as to not cause a mini cycle. it should be coming offline in about a week. I had the 29g for about 5 months before this upgrade. the algae disappearing may be because I kille some off and my cheto is now taking over what the hair had once used. not for sure though. but with the lemon juice it sure has cleared up faster than what it was.

water params were all normal as of 2 days ago.
amon/nitrate/nitrite 0
sg 1.023
temp 80.3
water is walmart distilled gallon water
water change is and always has been at least 5g per 4-5 days.

sorry for spelling or caps. I'm on my cell phone replying to this.