Hair Algae As A Macro Algae?

[Cutiewitbooty]

I know it sees kinda weird, but doesn't hair algae basically do the same thing as any macro algae? I mean it takes out the extra nutriants and reduces nitrates like other algaes right?
Well I don't have any hair algae in my display, but my refugium has been taken over with the stuff and it seems to be keeping my tank pretty healthy. I know how to get rid of it and i know exactly why it's thriving. i'm just interested on your guys thoughts on the idea of it as a macro in a fuge. :D

[Cutiewitbooty]

well arn't you guys talkative lol

[HowardW]

I don't like the fact that hair algae attaches to all the surfaces and is more difficult to harvest, and also that little tufts can break loose and possibly get into the main tank to flouruish and spread.

[DKKA]

I've used HA screens in my sump/fuge for several years. I use it because it is not as tempermental as most macros. It is certainly more of a pain to harvest, though.

Dan

[hodsgod]

Yes it is true, and it is well documented, especially in the new tank syndrome, the hair algae removes its own food, and fades away. (hopefully)

[Cutiewitbooty]

i really don't mind it in my fuge. It can't make it back up ther the main tank because the return pump has a pre filter. I know why it's there though. I have neglected my tank for the last 4 months or so. I haven't done a water change in that long and i have been toping off with tap water lol But the only thing i have lost due to the lack of care is a deresa clam. I really need to get back on the weekly water changes ect lol

[jeffbrig]

I can think of two reasons not to use hair algae. First, there's the risk of it getting back into the display. Then there's the fact that hair algae tends to trap detritus, this may not be desirable even in a refugium.

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8010459#post8010459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffbrig
I can think of two reasons not to use hair algae. First, there's the risk of it getting back into the display. Then there's the fact that hair algae tends to trap detritus, this may not be desirable even in a refugium.

You generally have many more algae eating animals in the display than the fuge, so this generally isnt an issue.

Hair algae will never be a macro algae (its a biological difference, not a use thign).. but it does function perfectly well as an algae filter. I dont think it really traps any more detritus than chaeto.

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8010975#post8010975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I dont think it really traps any more detritus than chaeto.

You can easily shake out a ball of chaeto, but hair algae is a little trickier :D

[jay24k]

I think the stuff is just nasty :)

However, spreading in the display I think is a wivestale. I get it in my overflows but never in my display. Also my 4 tangs will tear up any I put in my tank. I used to get rocks from my wife's tank when she had a hair algae issue. I'd toss em in and in 20 minutes, they'd have it clean.

[boomsticks]

I love hair algae so much hehehe it grows everywhere in me tank...heheheee...aaaaaahhhH!!!

[Cutiewitbooty]

lol It grows in my overflow to, not sure why ther lol I actually got the hair algae in the fuge when i switched the light to a normal incondecent 100 watt light bulb. I think it thrives under that bulb lol

[jay24k]

It grows in your overflow because all your nutrient rich water passes through it and there is nothing there to stop it. Snails and other critters consume all that stuff in your tank. I've never heard of anyone with an overflow that didn't have something nasty growing in there. I pick mine out about once a month when I see the water rise. Other then that, I don't get any hair algae.

[sarduci]

Hair algae only grows on my skimmer output... *sigh*

I'm glad it's easy to peel of since the output is a nice flat piece of plastic.....