Hair Algae

[MDPinUSA]

Back to the same old questions:

What brand of salt are you using?

What additives if any are you using.

Give us some information so those capable can answer your question, without asking questions of you.

[ChuckG]

100 lbs of live rock should already be sufficient. I'd look at other reasons. How's your nitrate level?

IF you add more then you can pretty well count on yet another cycle unless you fully cure the rock outside of the tank.

[olsaltybastard]

Allow me to clarify,

The canister filter on my planted tank contains filter floss for catching particles. You may not have this issue with just carbon and bio-media. Adding more LR isn't going to do much in terms of algae prevention.

Since the lights are new, this brings up the point I mentioned before; the hair algae gets good lighting and the fuge algae gets mediocre lighting. At 8 months, I would say that you should be past the new tank syndrome.

[brbradle]

Here are some of the answers to the responses.
I get water from the LFS. They use Instant Ocean and RO water
I just checked the water parameters (15 minutes ago) 0 phosphate, 0 nitrate, 0 nitrate, 0 amonia and the PH was about 8.2
Additives: Kent Marine Phytoplex, Kent Marine Strontium with Molybdenum and Tropical Science Marine max (it has been a few months since I used this). 4 days ago I started to add Kalkwasser (Hair algae issue already present). I have carbon and chemi pure in bags in the refugium.

Interesting concept about the lighting between refugium and tank. I need to learn more about macro algae and its effects on other organisims. I did not know that macro algae could control things like hair algae. I understand the effects on things like nitrate and co2. Which could cause growth of other things like the hair algae i guess.

[Paramecium]

Quit using all additives!

[davidh202]

I don't believe you have 0 phosphate and nitrate I'd be willing to bet your tests are off. You shouldnt have that big a problem if they were 0

[ReefSilly]

I would get a second opinion on your test
Phosphate 0 with hair algae

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by Patrick™

Quit using all additives!

I totally agree. What are all the additives for? "A few polyps and a mushroom"

You aren't even anywhere near where you "might" have to use any kind of supplement. Normal water changes with a quality salt should give all of your inhabitants everything they need nutritionally.

How often do you clean that canister?

I also believe there is some validity in what OSB is saying about your fuge lighting and you quessed it correctly. Give your macro what it needs to grow strong and it won't leave any nitrates for the nuisance algae to grow elsewhere.

[DaveK]

I have merged the "green-hair-algae-taking-over" thread with this one. This subject has been covered extensively before.

This keeps all the information on this big problem for many all in one place.

While not a requirement, I recommend that everyone at least skim read the entire thread, and only make additional posts if you still have questions or have something additional to add.

[Ninelives]

Why do advanced hobbyist who know that hair algae is from high phosphates ask"what are your paremeters"

1) If the guy can do a test right, is the hair algae eating the phosphates fast enough to reduce the phophates...probably!

2) light smight!!!

3) what kind of fish load do you have?

4) are you over feeding?

5) and then the real question!!!

How far is your rock shoved under really deep fine sand?

This is like the number one reason!!!! Get rid of all you sand, start over with crushed coral and keep your rock from going cold and suffocating!


Bingo!

But nobody just sais it like that!!

Sorry,
I' ve had hair algae by the ton before!!!

Ninelives