hair algae puzzle

[goldenfiji]

After cycling, my tank has a major hair algae bloom. Yet NH3, NO3, & PO4 are all zero. I wonder where in the world the hair algae get the nutrient from ...

[Sleepyhead]

The tests wont read NO3 or P04 because it is locked up in the algae.

[goldenfiji]

Will they die off? What would be a better way to get rid of them?

[Sleepyhead]

Yes, as long as you practice good husbandry. Your tank is supposed to grow algae right now. You are right on schedule:beer:

[StaghornE]

Try siphoning as much out as possible. The algae dieing in the tank will just release the nutrients into the water.

[StaghornE]

Algae collects nutrients/ you remove algae / nutrients are exported from the tank

[Sleepyhead]

I have rubberbanded a toothbrush to the end of my siphon hose to scrub and suck out algae/cyano at the same time.

[goldenfiji]

I like the ideas :D I have introduced couple tangs, a sea hare, and a sea urchin to remove the algae. And they are doing a good job. I've also turned on the protein skimmer. Am I doing it right? Should I start changing water regularly?

[StaghornE]

Yes

[Subw00er]

Get a red mithrax. sell it when its all gone. :)

[Sleepyhead]

I like the ideas :D I have introduced couple tangs, a sea hare, and a sea urchin to remove the algae. And they are doing a good job. I've also turned on the protein skimmer. Am I doing it right? Should I start changing water regularly?

Just remember that Tangs, sea hares and urchins poop. This will fuel more algae growth if you export doesn't match your import.

Tangs poop alot!

[reeftanknewbie]

Algae collects nutrients/ you remove algae / nutrients are exported from the tank

Remember slow and steady wins the race. This is what I do and I also put a algae blenny in my tank which helped alot.

[goldenfiji]

I agree with you all. I have just added some chaeto to help nutrient export. I am also using rubberbanded tootbrush to get rid of the hair algae :D The situation is under control. Just waiting for them to be gone.

[Jbrodys]

I'm going through a hair algae problem I just started a 180 and bought this awesome 60pound lr but when I bought is I couldn't see it to well and when I put it in my tank then I saw it was covered in hair and bubble algae. I bought some margarita snails I thought a tang would work but he not going for it and I put 2 emerald crabs in there. Nothing working yet though

[goldenfiji]

My yellow tang are sea urchins are feasting on the hairs. Some emerald crabs won't touch the bubbles plus they are mean to my snails, so I am not using any crabs.