Hair Algae

[Anonymous]

bud, that's correct.
You can do waterchanges if you want, but whatever you use, make sure it has no phosphates. Remember, your rockwork and substrate will continue to leach PO4 back into the water for a while.

 

[slimy]

Youi have no sand bed. You feed heavy. You use tap water. You have no macro algea, and you're less than religious about water changes. It sounds to me like you've got no way fo removing nutrients from your system. Distilled water != RO/DI. Tap water is also a problem. Your tests are not detecting high levels of nutrients in the water because the algea is consuming them, most likely.
Here's a couple ideas:
1) invest in a RO/DI unit.
2) Replace your bulbs. Probably won't make an impact on the algea, but they're probably due for a change.
3) get some kind of substrate.
4) Macro algea! Great way to export nutrients.
5) Get back to makeing regular water changes. You've got to get those nutrients OUT of your system.

 

[robbinson]

Bud:

Consider investing in an R/o system. They are not too expenseive - Kent makes a good product.

 

[jethro]

Show me a blue legged hermit blamed for killing snails and I will show you a snail that died, then the hermit started doing his job and got blamed for killing the snail. Snails are very hard to acclimate and if you lose one within three months of buying him, he was probably half dead when you got him due to handling.

I have Turbos, scarlets and blue leggs. Keep enough empty shells for growth and you will be fine.

Show me a Tang that eats hair algea, and I will show you a Tang that doesn't. Some do some don't.

Show me a Turbo Snail that eats hair algea, and I will show you one that won't touch it.

They say the Green Emerald Crab loves the stuff. Too bad he can't climb the glass.

Cheap RO/DI solution. Use water from your dehumidifier if you have one.

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: jethro ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

Check your local supermarket or Walmart-type store for RO water. Usually they have these arrangements where you bring in the empty jug (or buy one) and fill it with their water. They charge by the gallon. Pretty cheap.