Need help with hair algae in SH tank

Ben34105 · 03/04/2010, 09:35 AM

I'm having a hair algae problem in my SH tank. Nothing major, but I need to keep it in check. I don't want to put emeralds in and risk harming the SHs so I put in a few hermit crabs. My SHs thanked me for the snack. They even sucked the big scarlet hermit right out of his shell and ate his back half.

What can I put in to help keep the algae in check? Do you think a small urchin would work?

timinnl · 03/04/2010, 12:25 PM

How big is your tank? Are you using tap or R.O. water? How often do you do a WC? How long has it been set up for?

I found weekly WC of 10 - 25% worked for me. It took about a month before it started going away by itself?

rayjay · 03/04/2010, 07:41 PM

IMO, hair algae exists because of nutrient in the water that feeds it.
That would tell me that you either have an overloaded system or that you feed too much, or, your husbandry is insufficient for your protocol.

steelcaveman · 03/07/2010, 08:18 PM

Hair algae - the list of suspects - old bulb, new bulbs, bad R/O water, too much feeding,,,.
20% water change - make sure no PO4 in new water, run a phosphate remover and turn the lights off for about three days. Identify the source of phosphate to resolve the issue.

03/04/2010, 09:35 AM	#1
Ben34105 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 136	Need help with hair algae in SH tank I'm having a hair algae problem in my SH tank. Nothing major, but I need to keep it in check. I don't want to put emeralds in and risk harming the SHs so I put in a few hermit crabs. My SHs thanked me for the snack. They even sucked the big scarlet hermit right out of his shell and ate his back half. What can I put in to help keep the algae in check? Do you think a small urchin would work?

03/04/2010, 07:41 PM	#3
rayjay Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,949	IMO, hair algae exists because of nutrient in the water that feeds it. That would tell me that you either have an overloaded system or that you feed too much, or, your husbandry is insufficient for your protocol. __________________ 490g soft lps clams tangs b'flies clean wrasses, seahorses. All tanks lit with N.O.fluor., most Berlin method. No clean up crews. See website for N.O. fluor. pics. Culture nanno, rotifers and brine shrimp. Current Tank Info: Seahorses, Reef, and Fish only

03/04/2010, 12:25 PM	#2
timinnl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 311	How big is your tank? Are you using tap or R.O. water? How often do you do a WC? How long has it been set up for? I found weekly WC of 10 - 25% worked for me. It took about a month before it started going away by itself?

03/07/2010, 08:18 PM	#4
steelcaveman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 89	Hair algae - the list of suspects - old bulb, new bulbs, bad R/O water, too much feeding,,,. 20% water change - make sure no PO4 in new water, run a phosphate remover and turn the lights off for about three days. Identify the source of phosphate to resolve the issue.