[Dive_Master]

I had my tank set up for more than two years now.

Recently, I saw some green algae growing on sand on live rock only in spots.

It also grows on top of the green coraline algae.

What happend, where did it come from?

I cannot get rid of it. The purple tang is munching on it. The hermit crabs are picking on it, but it grows back.


My nitrates and phosphates are undetectable.

Is there anything else that I can do?

[bongobrian]

Sounds like hair algea. This stuff can really bum you out, it can take over your tank if you're not careful. Your tank must be getting nutrients from somewhere.. even if your test kits are showing 0 levels. Hair algea thrives off of lighting and nutrients. The algea may be growing as nutrients become available and then using them up completely so that there aren't any nutrients in the water column. Are you using R/O or distilled water? what is your photoperiod? you should probably decrease the amount of light your tank is getting. Are you doing regular water changes? what kind of test kits are you using? you may want to try a different brand of test kit. The thing is, once hair algea gets established in the tank, it becomes an all-out war to get rid of it. Do you have a refugium set up? starting a fuge lit 24/7 which establishes the growth of macro algeas will hopefully out-compete the hair algea for nutrients. Just some ideas. Keeping the algea controlled is the most important thing. As long as you have fish and inverts which are mowwing on it, then that is a step in the right direction.

[Reinhold]

Good luck with a hair algae battle. I lost the battle after 3 months of water changes, rock scrubbing, hermits, blennies, decreased lighting and everything else I could think of.

Once hair algae gains a foothold, it's over.

[Dive_Master]

I have ths algea spreading. What do I do?

This is really frustrating.

What are my options? I've tried everything!

[Steve]

Are you using a protein skimmer?

[scubadude]

If its truly hair algae then a lawnmower blenny might help, if its byropsis which has been known to imitate hair algae to some then it can be a never ending battle if you dont nip it in the bud! Manually removeing it is definately encouraged if at all possible but if not then heavy skimming and slow and easy w/c's with good quality water. Can you get a pic of the algae to verify?

[Dive_Master]

I'll try to get a picture for tomorrow.

[organicreefer]

reinhold ,how many times do i have to tell you -it was bryopsis in youre tank-the pics were fairly clear to me you had a "less feathery "(hair algea imitator as scuba put it) type,but trust me it was bryopsis.been there done that.
dive master,pics would help. if its bryopsis,youll probly need to throw out all the substrate its growing on...if the are small tufts you can pull it out and either attach a frag where it was ,or just put a "sheet" of epoxy down to cover the spot where it WILL grow back.(covers the "roots"for lack of a better term).

[Reinhold]

organicreefer:

I know you're only trying to help, but it was not Bryopsis. It was pure hair algae. There wasn't a single filament in the mass of green which showed any type of feathery or otherwise branched structure. I had the advantage of seeing it, feeling it, scrubbing it and ultimately throwing it all out.

[organicreefer]

ok reinhold.
so the pic you posted wasnt youre tank? j/k

[Reinhold]

It must be all of those cannabinoids bound to the lipids in your brain cells that make you think you're seeing feathery structures.

[organicreefer]

gotta love those cannabinoids
you got alot to learn reinhold,why dont you roll one up and open a book-maybe the next time you wont have to break down youre tank because of "hair algea" (lol)
hair algea is soooo easy to deal with,i couldnt imagin a scenario where,after burning a huge bowl of course,id have to break down a tank because of hair algea haha.man ,so many things live on hair algea,can you say clean up crew

[organicreefer]

[Dive_Master]

I am using Berlin Turbo XL. It does not look like Bryopsis as defined in Vol 1in Delbeek and Sprung. It looks like Derbesia.

Where the hell did it come from?
The purple tang eats it and the Hermit crabs are helping him.

I have about 20 crabs in a 75 gallon. I think I will get 20 more this weekend.

I am going to get Lawnmower Blenny as well. Is the blenny good for this algae?

[organicreefer]

stop feeding ,beef up the cleanup crew,i think left handed and black and whites(equal handed) are the best grazers.a sally light foot crab or three would be excellent choices as grazers too,but when they get big they may pick off small fish.you could remove them when the job is done?
the lawnmower blenny wil eat they algea till its gone ,and then more than likely waste away.jme/o
how many snails do you have?

[Dive_Master]

I have 20 astrea!

[bongobrian]

Have you tried a foxface? I've heard those guys are like "the secret weapon" for hair algea. Lawnmower blennies and tangs would be good too. My kole tang swims around and picks off the rocks all day long. He doesn't even eat the food I introduce into the system.

[organicreefer]

divemaster,if possible id still like to see a pic of youre algea
when did you add the 20 astreas to youre tank...maybe you have less now?
regardless i would add morer snails too-hermits /crabs/tangs mow it down,snails finish it off.
you also need variety ,imo.the more diverse youre cleanup crew the better.astreas arent the best grazers imo...get some trocus or turbo,hell get them both and some margaritas,ceriths,nassarius(if you have dsb)strombus,and any other snails you can find