Hair algae problem!!!

[sean1]

I have a 29 gallon reef that recently had a phosphate problem (3 weeks ago.) I took care of it but the hair algae that the phosphate left behind will not stop growing! It is killing some of my montiporas and I can't scrape it off the rocks. I should also mention that the nitrate is very low. PLEASE HELP!!!!

[supervdl]

what are your water parameters? what bioload? equipment like skimmer etc.?

[sean1]

I have a skilter filter with a skimmer on it. I have quite a few few corals, two clown, two shrimp, and many snails. My parameters all seem to be be on target. My photoperiod is about 12 nhours. I change about 25percent monthly.

[rowland75]

It may be that the phosphate problem hasnt been dealt with and not registering on testing as its being utilized by the HA.

Im having similar problems so will be watching closely.

[Randall_James]

Assuming your water is RO/DI or at least decent RO...

"Skilter" is not your best friend, the upside is that your tank is pretty small and you can make it up with water changes.

20-25% a week is not going to be that costly and is not that hard to do. The algae issue took time to manifest and will take at least as long to go away if not longer.

Phosphates can take a long time to leach back out of the rock and substrate. Keep harvesting the algae out as you can to export the nutrient

Careful feeding habits (turning off pumps, removing uneaten food in 5 minutes) will go a long way to help also.

Patience is going to be the key ...

[McCrary]

As Randall said, water changes are going to be the ticket right now, followed by an upgraded skimmer. Hair algae hates nutrient deficient systems and good skimming with minimal phosphates will make it really tough for it to grow.

[jtreath]

sean1.. couple of other things to keep in mind as well that helped me in the past with HA

When was last time your bulbs were changed? PC's should be changed out after 9 months max.. VHO 9 - 12 months

As rowland75 said, but maybe you didn't understand.. with a breakout of any algae the Phosphate test is misleading.. if there is free Phosphate in the water it is probably being totally consumed by the algae and it will therefore show as 0 on your tests

Reduce your photo period by 15 mins per day until you get down to 6 hour period. Algae thrives on long photoperiods

Scrape and harvest everyday.. waterchange every 4 - 6 days. 15% minimum.

My HA outbreaks were completely eradicated doing the above. I got lax after the first outbreak and overfed for a while.. then I had to do it all again... never came back.

[elmatth1]

I agree with all the above. I'm starting to get over a bad hair algea outbreak on my 75g now. My phosphates registered 0, but I bought a phosban reactor anyway, did 25% water changes every week, turned off my MH lamps and only ran my 4x65w PC's for 6 hours. My corals didn't seem to mind much about the lowered light for the time being, but the hair algea is not growing back like it was. I guess i'll have to wait to see if it totally disappears. It's only been about 4 weeks!