getting rid of Green Hair algae
- Thread starter tim000
- Start date
You have to control nutrient import and export on your terms. Your current nutrient level will fuel a certain level of algae growth, no matter what. If your alkalinity and calcium are maintained, then desirable coralline algae will use some of it. Hair algae, Halimeda, Valonia, or Caulerpa will use the rest. Most people find Caulerpa easier to remove than hair or bubble algae. It's also a fast growing competitor of the others. On the other hand a DSB, skimming, and water changes will reduce or remove nutrients. Unless you are grossly overstocked or overfeeding, I wouldn't focus on reducing nutrient import as much as on increasing export. Caulerpa is easier to remove but it is still invasive. It's best to grow in a sump or in a defined area of your tank. The hair algae has to come out by hand until you have a viable competitor and some herbivores.
rabbitfish!
i had bundles of green-hair algae in one of my tanks, and introduction of a one-spot foxface rabbitfish cut it back mighty quickly. some still remains in selected areas, but in amounts that i think it adds to the tank, instead of looking unmaintained.
i had bundles of green-hair algae in one of my tanks, and introduction of a one-spot foxface rabbitfish cut it back mighty quickly. some still remains in selected areas, but in amounts that i think it adds to the tank, instead of looking unmaintained.
Mike,
not always true.
Mine eats some, but he isn't an eating machine. I have hermits of all varities, snails of all varities, crabs of all varities... etc. The way that I am finally beating it, is through a mixture or animals, pulling it by hand, cutting down the photoperiod, and doing some water changes, and adding calcium. Feeds the corraline more so that it can outgrow the stupid hair.
-HTH Nick
not always true.
-HTH Nick
tim000,
I have cut down on green hair algae growth considerably since changing my VHO bulbs to new bulbs. Also, I was running three actinic and one 50-50. I replaced one of the old actinic with a new 50-50 and have seen little green hair algae growth since. I know that all new bulbs will help even more but too much $$$.
Phil
I have cut down on green hair algae growth considerably since changing my VHO bulbs to new bulbs. Also, I was running three actinic and one 50-50. I replaced one of the old actinic with a new 50-50 and have seen little green hair algae growth since. I know that all new bulbs will help even more but too much $$$.
Phil
Hair algae and cynobacteria have, until recently, always been present in my 175g FOWLR tank that is home to many big eaters (morays, triggers, etc). These nusience algaes have been rapidly receding over the past month. The only changes that have been recently made are:
1) More frequent water changes. I have been doing monthly 40g changes since December (as opposed to infrequent changes prior to that).
2) Removing the last few sponges and bio-material from my sump and replacing it with live rock.
3) Adding a number of soft corals to the tank to increase bio-diversity.
Of the 3, I think the 2nd change is the most important.
Of course, it could also be do to the fact that the DSB is further developing, or that the systemt is reaching a balance.
1) More frequent water changes. I have been doing monthly 40g changes since December (as opposed to infrequent changes prior to that).
2) Removing the last few sponges and bio-material from my sump and replacing it with live rock.
3) Adding a number of soft corals to the tank to increase bio-diversity.
Of the 3, I think the 2nd change is the most important.
Of course, it could also be do to the fact that the DSB is further developing, or that the systemt is reaching a balance.
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