Hair algae??

Amadod2 · #1 12-05-2014, 04:34 AM

Attachment 13535

here is a pic of the algae

gregzz4 · #2 12-05-2014, 05:13 AM

Yup, looks like algae to me

Amadod2 · #3 12-05-2014, 05:00 PM

so my levels are all in check, im running a fresh batch of rowaphos, last water change was on monday….
what else should i do? scrub it down? get blue legged hermit crabs, just let it be?

im going to be changing my t5 bulbs over the next few weeks, so im worried that it might start to bloom again

Amadod2 · #4 12-05-2014, 05:01 PM

i have also been contemplating building a refugium but have it more as a food source for my fish and some nutrient exportation

Cody · #5 12-10-2014, 04:06 AM

I can only speak from personal experience, however, I do not consider myself an expert in the hobby. The very first SW tank I had was a 125g FOWLR and it eventually erupted with green hair algae. In hindsight I know the reasons why it happened. I was over feeding my tank, I had a lack of CUC, and over lighting. I was and always have be diligent with my water changes, but still had an explosion of algae. I have to agree with the previous responders that trying to repair the situation by adding livestock that will eat the algae is just masking the problem. That said, some of my favorite fish are grazers which certainly help but I think it's important to figure out why the outbreak is occurring and to resolve it. With a great deal of patience and dedication, after months I was able to correct the problems. I figured out a proper lighting schedule, I rectified my feeding problems, I got a proper CUC and picked away with manual removal. That was a few years ago and I've never had another outbreak again.

Myka · #6 12-10-2014, 12:54 PM

If you pull on that algae does it come off easily or is it difficult to remove? If it comes off easily it is probably a type of hair algae. If it is difficult to pull off then it is probably a turf algae. The difference? Not much, other than manual removal of turf algae is difficult.

Mexican Turbo Snails and Scarlet or Blue Legged Hermit crabs are the best for filamentous algae in my experience. I prefer Scarlet hermits over Blue Legs, but more people don't want to pay the price difference.