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cabbage0709
12/01/2008, 09:34 AM
Whats the simplest solution for this nuisance? I wouldnt mind adding another critter into my tank if i have to. Couldnt i just kill the lights for a few days because of their reliability on photosynthesis? Or are there other factors to be considered?

Same thing for bubble algae. Could i pick up an emerald and let him go to town or is there a quicker natural way to take care of it.

These have not got out of control or anything. I just spotted a little clump of the hair and 1 or 2 bubbles lastnight and wanted to get to it before it was too late. Thanks for any and all comments and advice!

-Steven

Michael
12/01/2008, 10:42 AM
clearly if you have nusience algae of any kind then you have excessive nutriients in your system, excessive phosphate and nitrate are great foods and to illiminate the algae you need to starve it, also water quality is important, the wrong water will introduce problems, heres some links to read

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/tp/topmistakes.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

lukeeee1990
12/01/2008, 01:33 PM
as above, nitrates and phospahtes are key contributers to algae of any kind, test for Nitrate and Phosphate (PO4), n perhaps silicates?

cabbage0709
12/01/2008, 05:47 PM
How can i test for silicates?

wab
12/01/2008, 06:00 PM
HEY, till you figure the water problem out try mexican turbo snails. I put 3 in my 45 and in a week most of it was gone. good luck

fatdaddy
12/01/2008, 06:12 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13854115#post13854115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cabbage0709
How can i test for silicates?

You need a test kit, but I'd worry about nitrates and phosphates first. They are the primary culprits. Actually, it's phosphates and then nitrates. Silicates are often implicated, but rarely the problem unless you're using tap water.

CoRPS
12/01/2008, 07:02 PM
I've got 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates and I'm slowly beginning to have a hair algae problem. It's starting to show up all over my rocks, it's still relatively short (1/8 to 1/4" long) but it's ugly and produces massive amounts of bubbles in my tank.

What's the solution for us?

Edit: I will say that I was feeding excessively (everyday) and leaving the lights on for 16ish hours a day. I've cut back since thanksgiving and giving it only 12hrs and feeding every other day.

fatdaddy
12/01/2008, 08:13 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13854685#post13854685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoRPS
I've got 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates and I'm slowly beginning to have a hair algae problem.

That's because your hair algae is soaking up the nutrients. Just ease up on the feeding and skim wetter.

CoRPS
12/01/2008, 08:16 PM
I've got no skimmer, but I do weekly water changes 27% water changes.

Rae C.
12/01/2008, 08:22 PM
There has been a consensus that a three day lights out can stall out and reverse hair algae growth. I tried it and it seemed to have worked, although I still have algae, just a smaller amount.

Most of those that have tried this have also covered their tank to prevent any daylight from entering the tank. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try it, cheap too...

As for bubble alage, I've found you can gently twist them off the rock and dispose of them.