Hair Algae

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by likwid

Im using a 72w power compact lighting system and the bulbs are about 10 months old. Is that too old?

*Bing Bing Bing* We have a winner , after around 6-12 months of use your bulbs degrades and then you find nusance algea explodes.
Levi

[Zylumn]

Originally Posted by i2as kass

*Bing Bing Bing* We have a winner , after around 6-12 months of use your bulbs degrades and then you find nusance algea explodes.
Levi

Not sure if I understand levi could you expand on this with examples. I understand that nitrates and phosphates give hair algae a food source but you are saying low light PAR output also feeds hair algae.
Thanks
Kevin

[michika]

Here are some of the potential causes that I found with my battle with hair algae.

1) Changing out all bulbs, a more yellow spectrum seems to lend it self to algae growth
2) Macro algae, and a variety of macros at that.
3) RO/DI water
4) Manual removal of the algae
5) Running the tank with a reduced photo period
6) A Blackout period, I hear it works for some, but it didn't do anything for me.
7) Run a phosphate remover
8) Larger water changes
9) Ensure all your water parameters are in order with limited fluctuations
10) Add additional members to your clean up crew, e.g. hermits, urchin, lettuce nudibranch, seahare
11) Remove rocks and scrub them all down and pluck them clean.
12) Run a Nitrate spong or remover
13) Changing your salt brand. It seems that some salt brands may have phosphates.
14) Add in GHA eating fish

I hope something works out for you!

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Zylumn

Not sure if I understand levi could you expand on this with examples. I understand that nitrates and phosphates give hair algae a food source but you are saying low light PAR output also feeds hair algae.
Thanks
Kevin

Its not the par,but the shift in spectrum.Older lights put out a more favorable spectrum to the algae.Even with more favorable light the algae still needs po4 and no3 as fuel.Its impossible to not add these to our systems,unless one doesn't feed at all.So a shift in spectrum can be enough to tip the balance in favor of the algae