green hair algae

[specrn5]

I was having a little issue with green hair algae so I implemented a fuge about a week ago. Now the algae is turning brown, does that mean it's dying? The chaeto in the fuge is sorta compacted, do i need to fluff it to help it grow?

[bertoni]

You just need to trim the refugium when the algae at the bottom starts to die off. The algae that's turning brown is likely dying. If you can pull it out of the tank, that'd speed the process some.

[sunnysmom]

If you mean it is turning a rich brown, IME, GHA that starts turning brown is sucking up LOTS of nutrients, then it has a little growth explosion. I'd start picking it out if I were you, and concentrate on serious nutrient export through pruning and LOTS of water changes. The GHA will start getting paler when it is dying back. If you mean it's getting lightish tan color, like it's losing its color, you are probably in luck. It will also grow longer instead of bushier.

[phisigs79]

i would take it the rock out and use a toothbrush to get it all off. Dont do it in the tank!

[chrisbenavides]

phisigs79,

Is it good to brush the live rock that contains GHA? Won't this affect the tank when you place back in?

So, can I too brush the rock to clean it, since it is showing many signs of GHA growth???

[Mikro]

I scrub the rock in a 5 gal pail. I do it when I do a water change that way I can use the water from the tank and not mix up salt water just to clean the rocks.

[chrisbenavides]

hey great idea! does the rock need to be fully submerged when I am scrubbing it lightly???

[specrn5]

Thanks for the input guys. I took out the rocks that had algae and scrubbed them down. I've cut down on feeding and have been staying on top of water changes, plus I got the fuge and skimmer going, so i hope it doesn't come back, at least not so much.