I've been fighting hair algae for longer than I care to admit. I can't tell you what does work, but I can certainly tell you what doesn't:
1 - cheap skimmers - nutrient export is the key to solving the problem.
2 - adding animals to eat the algae - this is a temporary solution. Herbivorous animals produce a lot of waste, which fertilizes the next algae bloom. Some are fine to control small algae issues, but you will not be able to catch up with an algae problem.
3 - photoperiod reduction - you'll kill your corals long before you kill your algae
4 - adding macroalgae - this is an effective means to prevent algae blooms, but hair algae will grow quicker and consume more nutrients than the macroalgae.
5 - Inadequate nitrate reduction - whatever method you use to reduce nitrates, make sure it is a good one. Nitrates should be <<1ppm.
6 - Aluminum based phosphate reducers - They don't absorb enough phosphates and they leach the phosphates bace into the system once they become saturated. Go with the Iron-oxide based products if you choose this route.
Good luck!
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