Do I want to stop the "hairy green algae?"

JaredSD · #1 10/29/2006, 07:18 PM

I have some hairy or mossy looking green algae growing in my tank. I don't have any snails, so should I just scrub my rocks every now and then? It seems to be giving some color to my rocks, but is it okay? Also, how can I limit algae?

TCC · #2 10/29/2006, 07:22 PM

In MHO, the green algae will get worse, and you won't enjoy it so much. As you're asking for opinions, I would say get some snails. I had the best luck on that algae with Mexican snails. Anyway, I think that's what they're called. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in. Happpy reefkeeing!

thatguy · #3 10/29/2006, 07:24 PM

Hair algae is bad. From my understanding it is due to excessive nutrients.

I am no expert and freely admit I could be wrong, but I don't think I am in this instance.

ACBlinky · #4 10/29/2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JaredSD
Do I want to stop the "hairy green algae?"

Does a bear go in the woods? LOL yes, you want to get rid of it. IME lowering phosphates to undetectable levels is enough to send hair algae packing, but a few turbos for insurance never hurt

chrisstie · #5 10/29/2006, 07:39 PM

A little green hair algae stopped cyano from coming back in my tank;p
And yes I do regular water changes, practically starve my fish, have no measurable nitrates or phosphates and good flow. Cutting back on the lighting wont solve the issue.

What you can do is everytime you do a water change or see a chance to yank some of it out manually? go for it

James983 · #6 10/29/2006, 07:40 PM

I agree with Blinky. A little hair algae is too much. I had an outbreak and changed my RO filters and hair algea is kaput! If you have it, it's because theres too much nutrients in your water.

TCC · #7 10/29/2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ACBlinky
..... but a few turbos for insurance never hurt

Yes that's it! Mexican Turbo snails. For me, they cleaned it right up.

vanmo92 · #8 10/29/2006, 08:39 PM

yeah. i think you should definetly get rid of it.

vanmo92 · #9 10/29/2006, 08:44 PM

yeah. i think you should definitely get rid of it.

TekCat · #10 10/29/2006, 08:47 PM

Manually removing it would in turn export nutrients that went into their growth. Snails help, but they then poop the same nitrients and they stay in tank. Manually removing is just like harvesting macro algea. So, a combination of snails and manual removal would be (IMHO) the way to go.

Sk8r · #11 10/29/2006, 09:02 PM

It's a phase tanks go through. Getting a full cleaning crew, snails, conchs, hermits, bristleworms, will cycle the phosphates through so your skimmer can pick it up; Phosban can give you some additional help.

curtisc63 · #12 10/29/2006, 09:08 PM

I have heard that "old" lighting can contribute to algae growth as the light spectrum shifts. You may want to look at your lamp age in addition to the above suggestions - yes Turbos will work.

CC

TekCat · #13 10/29/2006, 09:42 PM

Old lighting had proven to be an urban myth. Algea will not grow without nutrients (phosphates/nitrates) no matter how old your lights are. So, pluck it out, snail it out, and keeping NO3 and PO4 in check will do wounders in a long run. However new (young) bio-systems are not yet balanced out, so it is quite common to go through different algal outbreaks.