hair algea control in frag tanks

[bjhubb]

I am having a hair algea problem in my little 10g frag tank. I have 3 scarlets and 2 other hermits, 3 margaritas and 2 nerite snails. What should I add to control the hair algea?

[gmneil]

kent tech-m mag

[SECRETREEF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15542328#post15542328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gmneil
kent tech-m mag

what will this do to the hair algae?

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Nothing as far as i know...Tech M (or any Mag supplement) will eliminate byropsis (which is a lot like hair algae, but worse) if you use it to elevate your mag levels to around 1600-1800.

Their are no adverse affects in doing this.

For hair algae, their is only one solotion in a ten gallon. Reduce your nutrient load however you can. Get a bigger skimmer, add a refugium, perform large and frequent water changes, remove any waste producers (fish) that you might have in their.

[Rukis]

I would recommend getting a lawnmower blenny and a sally lightfoot crab as they have both kept my frag tank algea free, mainly hair. I also have a emerald crab for bubble algae, as I turn the flow off and on a lot to take pictures.

[bekindtoyurbuds]

Emerald crabs like Hair algae too! Mine eat it up.

[bjhubb]

Thanks for the ideas!

This little frag tank is bare bottom, only rock is just small rubble bits. No fish, just 3 scarlet and 2 other hermits, 3 margarita snails and 2 nerites. Water changes are around 2 gallons ever 7-10 days.

Will an emerald crab be happy in a bare bottom tank? And will the algea alone keep him fed, or will he need supplementing?

[jamesdong009]

Hair algae shouldn't be a problem unless phosphates are introduced into your system. You don't have any fish, but are you adding food for the CUC? If so, I would remove the hermits. The snails should be fine grazing on the glass and rocks.

IME, testing for phosphates while having HA is useless because it's locked up in the algae itself.

Maybe a "stupid" question, but are you using RO/DI water?

[TomNeely]

...and if so, it may be time to change the filters...

[dcroucher]

Turbo snails.

[CLINTOS]

Add sand and some rock rubble to get a natural filter going