Help getting rid of hair algae

Tim Plow · #1 10/17/2007, 10:02 PM

I was wondering if anyone has any good ideas for getting rid of hair algae on power heads. I don't have algae anywhere but on my two Koralia 3 and my returns. Does anyone know why it wants to form only in these high flow places? Any good ideas for getting rid of it? I try to maintain regular water changes and try not to overfeed.

Here are a couple of recent shots from the tank:

ReefJunkieOK · #2 10/17/2007, 10:23 PM

Nice tank! I had the same issue. I started running Phosban in a reactor and it went away quickly.

jjmcat · #3 10/17/2007, 10:33 PM

Where is it?I dont see any.

SoonerReefer · #4 10/17/2007, 10:39 PM

Tim

I would take a bucket and put about a gallon of water and a quart of vinegar and let the powerheads run a few hours in the bucket. Just do one at a time so the other can keep flow in the tank. This will clean the inside of the powerhead and I think the hair algae will be easily removed.

You can dry the powerheads out and the algae will die also.

I have heard good things about phosphate remover, but I used it and could not really tell any difference. I don't think it would hurt and I have heard of people using the phosphate removers with success.

Usually a tang will keep your powerheads picked clean.

Keep Us Updated

Lori

ReefJunkieOK · #5 10/17/2007, 10:49 PM

I agree with Lori. But for the record. The reason why Lori didn't see any difference is because she keeps her tank in PRISTINE condition!

(Which is amazing by the way if you haven't seen it.)

-J

tpdpercula · #6 10/17/2007, 11:12 PM

I agree. Vinegar is the best cleaning product in my reefing expericence.

SoonerReefer · #7 10/18/2007, 07:21 AM

Thanks for the compliment ReefJunkieok. I really appreciate it. Donny religiously does water changes usually weekly.

Lori

papagimp · #8 10/18/2007, 09:16 AM

I"ve got a frag rack that gets HA. It's the only spot in my entire setup that grows this stuff. I just let it grow, it forms a nice little "ball" of HA after awhile, then i harvest it out, like you would macro algae in a refugium. I have noticed everytime i've harvested it, it's takes alot longer to grow back, as the macro in my fuge is consuming more and more of it's foodsources. for removing it from the rest of my tank, my queen conch did the trick, but being on a powerhead only, that may be more difficult for one to reach.

Tim Plow · #9 10/18/2007, 10:05 AM

Thanks for all the great comments!! I think I will try soaking my powerheads in vinegar. I may try to get some type of phosphate remover also.

sarai826 · #10 10/18/2007, 09:51 PM

Might also consider trying an urchin-- they tend to be pretty awesome for getting rid of HA as long as it's not too long.

quaz · #11 10/18/2007, 10:27 PM

My nano that i just set up is trying to get some hair algae. I don't know how old your set up but from the size of the frags it looks like it's under a year. I've always just used the basic four method 1. nutrient limitation 2. nutrient elimination 3. herbivours 4. manual removal.

Good luck. Tank looks great by the way. I've had tanks like that before where there was hair algae in the refugium, in overflows, and on power heads and have never had a problem in the display.

GLD · #12 10/19/2007, 03:45 PM

I recently changed my lights and all of the hair algae in my tank disappeared within two weeks of that change.

I waited too long to change the lights and was amazed at how quickly the tank perked up under the new bulbs.

jjmcat · #13 10/19/2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GLD
I recently changed my lights and all of the hair algae in my tank disappeared within two weeks of that change.

I waited too long to change the lights and was amazed at how quickly the tank perked up under the new bulbs.

I did the same thing and I have noticed im not getting that brown film on my glass now.Well as bad as I was but I did also just switch salts as well.Maybe a combo of both.