Removing algae patches?

SA057 · #1 01/02/2007, 06:42 PM

I have several “patches” of green hair algae around my tank. They don’t cause any problems, but they are annoying. How do I remove them? Is there something I can “shoot” directly at them? I have several small spots of green “slime” algae too. Can it be killed off with something? I also have 2 or 3 small green bubble algae balls which I can’t get to. They have been there for sometime now. If I can’t get them out what will happen over time with them? All these are small items, but I would like to rid the tank of them! Other than this my tank stayes clean and healthy so I don't want these things to take over.

SA057 · #2 01/03/2007, 09:26 AM

Does anyone know how to treat this stuff?

Obi-dad · #3 01/03/2007, 12:21 PM

Short term, manual removal (toothbrush, siphon).
Long term, get nutrient levels under control (fuge with chaetomorpha, water changes, skimmer, phosphate removal, carbon).

Herbivores will help, some snails will eat some algaes, fish like rabbitfish will eat many algaes.

I use a combination of all of the above.

SA057 · #4 01/03/2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Obi-dad
Short term, manual removal (toothbrush, siphon).
Long term, get nutrient levels under control (fuge with chaetomorpha, water changes, skimmer, phosphate removal, carbon).

Herbivores will help, some snails will eat some algaes, fish like rabbitfish will eat many algaes.

I use a combination of all of the above.

I too have all of the above in use at the current time. The problem is these things are the result of previous issues. I think the long term problem is solved I just need help eliminating the leftovers from the original problem. I do run carbon, phospads, skimmer, cheato etc, but it only keeps things under control it doesn't remove the original "crap". The green slime removes fairly easy (if I can get to it), but the green hair is something else. I can't pull it out it is almost glued to the rocks.

drummereef · #5 01/03/2007, 01:51 PM

How about your water source? Do you use RO/DI water? And is the tds 0?

SA057 · #6 01/03/2007, 03:14 PM

Yes, RO/DI testing zero. My tds does read one sometimes but I think that is from a cheap meter.

jeffhaag · #7 01/03/2007, 06:16 PM

When I had a hair algea problem when I first started my tank, I used manual removal. Once I had it trimmed pretty low, I just placed 3-4 snails on each night for about 2 weeks and it was all gone. Never had any luck with emerald crabs or Rainfordi gobies or anything else that WAS supposed to eat it.

SA057 · #8 01/03/2007, 06:18 PM

I guess I can grab up a snail and drop him in it?