hair algae = sps issues?

[toytech]

It dosent release anything out of the normal , I can decompose like anything else and would cause low o2 and such but I doubt your leaving it in your tank to rot . Im using hair algae as nutrient control until I get a couple of reactors set up , I only have it on the glass of my tank so I let it grow to crazy length then scrape it clean and let another side grow out , sucks up phosphates like mad and all my sps are thriving , good growth , good color . Might be time to keep a close eye on water parameters sounds like something is off , whats the phosphate at? Mine is at .04 at most usually around 0.02 when its on the better side , any higher than 0.04 and I start to have problems and start running phosban to get it back down.

[christyf5]

Yeah I'm running GFO, which is making me wonder wtf is going on. I haven't measured the phosphates lately, figured they're probably all tied up in the hair algae anyways. Guess I should get to that.

Does GFO ever go off? I think i've had this stuff awhile, its in an airtight container and dry.

[toytech]

No I dosent go bad but I does release iron with algae needs to grow , so if theres a lot of phosphates its fuel to the fire for algae growth until it knocks the phosphates down . Too quick of a drop in phosphates can be hard on sps as well so you have to see whats going on with them and not be too drastic .

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by toytech

No I dosent go bad but I does release iron with algae needs to grow , so if theres a lot of phosphates its fuel to the fire for algae growth until it knocks the phosphates down . Too quick of a drop in phosphates can be hard on sps as well so you have to see whats going on with them and not be too drastic .

Good to know about the iron part. I knew about the quick removal of phosphates and SPS. Learned that the hard way with rowaphos.

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me

[Werbo]

I've had hair algae problems for 6+ months and had no sps problems. Great colour and growth just unsightly HA. Lots of gfo, toothbrush scrubbing, prayers and still no relief.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by Werbo

I've had hair algae problems for 6+ months and had no sps problems. Great colour and growth just unsightly HA. Lots of gfo, toothbrush scrubbing, prayers and still no relief.

I had enough of toothbrush scrubbing in the early years. I think I'd go straight to sea hare if it gets that bad. Lucky I'm not there yet.

[Werbo]

I am getting a sea hare