question about hair algae!

vtec si · 09-30-2001, 11:51 AM

I have a 180 gal reef tank that I has some hair algae in it. This tank has been set up for over a year and I started to stock corals in it about four to five months ago. The algae is not out of control but, I did change some things when I noticed that I was getting a hair algae bloom. I changed my feeding habits from every day to every other day! I also have been doing my water changes every other week rather than once a month! What do I do now to beat it befor it does get out of control?! I have been pulling it out about once a week! It is mainly on the back glass and a little on the DSB right in the middle of the tank. That is about the only place it has taken hold. All Peramiters of water quality check out to be good or ok!
I think the only reason it really has not taken off, is due to the refugium is trying to compete with it.
There are NO FISH in this tank at this time and the tank has good water movement!

Any suggestions would be great,

VTEC SI

clown-t · 09-30-2001, 08:01 PM

are you using ro/di water. are you using a clean up crew and a purple tang and a flame angel took care of my hair algae.

vtec si · 10-01-2001, 12:03 AM

RO/DI water yes. clean up crew yes. Fish no.

VTEC SI

PerryinCA · 10-01-2001, 02:50 PM

I would try to find out if it is bryopsis. If it is, its going to be a pain to get rid of. RO/DI is a start. Next thing you'll have to do is pull out all the algae you can, and the scrub the rocks with a toothbrush to get as much as possible off. Introduce a very varied snail variety (Baha, Margarita, trochus, astrea, turbo) and then continue to scrub the rocks every 2-3 days try to get rid of any visible 'hairs'. I battled bryopsis for over a year. It will take over the entire tank if you let it. I found that snails will eat the tiny stubs left from the scrubbing, but thats it.

Bryopsis is distinguishable by the fact that it looks fern-like at the tips. Fish won't touch it (at least most wont) and although blue leg hermits seem to eat it, it would take a LOT to eat all of it. Perhaps introducing some of those wouldn't hurt. The most important part is to SCRUB contantly. I can't reinforce that enough.

Hopefully its just regular derbesia hair algae in which case almost any herbivore fish will eat it (lawnmower blennie, tangs...ect). Be sure not to over feed, and getting some Nassarius snails will help with the left over food.

-Perry

vtec si · 10-01-2001, 11:29 PM

Thanks. It does not look like a fern!

VTEC SI

09-30-2001, 11:51 AM	#1
vtec si Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denver co, USA Posts: 1,017	question about hair algae! I have a 180 gal reef tank that I has some hair algae in it. This tank has been set up for over a year and I started to stock corals in it about four to five months ago. The algae is not out of control but, I did change some things when I noticed that I was getting a hair algae bloom. I changed my feeding habits from every day to every other day! I also have been doing my water changes every other week rather than once a month! What do I do now to beat it befor it does get out of control?! I have been pulling it out about once a week! It is mainly on the back glass and a little on the DSB right in the middle of the tank. That is about the only place it has taken hold. All Peramiters of water quality check out to be good or ok! I think the only reason it really has not taken off, is due to the refugium is trying to compete with it. There are NO FISH in this tank at this time and the tank has good water movement! Any suggestions would be great, VTEC SI

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09-30-2001, 08:01 PM	#2
clown-t Citizen Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: greenfield in usa Posts: 206	are you using ro/di water. are you using a clean up crew and a purple tang and a flame angel took care of my hair algae.

10-01-2001, 12:03 AM	#3
vtec si Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denver co, USA Posts: 1,017	RO/DI water yes. clean up crew yes. Fish no. VTEC SI

10-01-2001, 02:50 PM	#4
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	I would try to find out if it is bryopsis. If it is, its going to be a pain to get rid of. RO/DI is a start. Next thing you'll have to do is pull out all the algae you can, and the scrub the rocks with a toothbrush to get as much as possible off. Introduce a very varied snail variety (Baha, Margarita, trochus, astrea, turbo) and then continue to scrub the rocks every 2-3 days try to get rid of any visible 'hairs'. I battled bryopsis for over a year. It will take over the entire tank if you let it. I found that snails will eat the tiny stubs left from the scrubbing, but thats it. Bryopsis is distinguishable by the fact that it looks fern-like at the tips. Fish won't touch it (at least most wont) and although blue leg hermits seem to eat it, it would take a LOT to eat all of it. Perhaps introducing some of those wouldn't hurt. The most important part is to SCRUB contantly. I can't reinforce that enough. Hopefully its just regular derbesia hair algae in which case almost any herbivore fish will eat it (lawnmower blennie, tangs...ect). Be sure not to over feed, and getting some Nassarius snails will help with the left over food. -Perry

10-01-2001, 11:29 PM	#5
vtec si Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denver co, USA Posts: 1,017	Thanks. It does not look like a fern! VTEC SI

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