Andrew!

[Shadetree]

Christy,

Hang in there, the hair algae could be from many different sources. Make sure your alk is high enough and patience. Here is a pic of my tank during the hair algae stage at about 7-8 months. Look in the background behind the mandarin. I just raised my alk to proper levels, minimized feeding, kept the skimmer really clean and waited it out, I did not pull out much by hand.


Scott

[pocilipora]

My nudi also died on its third day?

[Troy F]

Christy, I feel for you. How old is the tank? Is it possible you are going through an algae cycle? Somewhere you have more nutrients coming in than are being exported.

The things I'd look at are feedings, protein skimming, water source and circulation. Keep your skimmer clean (everyday for the next while), cut back on feedings, remove what you can of the algae (your fish will be fine), test your source water and do some water changes. A phosphate remover may be an idea. You may have to increase your clean-up crew and consider adding a conch or maybe a urchin if the problem persists (I have no experience with either but have heard positive things). Dale said he'd had some luck with a bi-colour blenny Ecsenius bicolor and microalgae. Don't give up.

[Troy F]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Shadetree:
...I did not pull out much by hand.
Scott<hr></blockquote>

That's because he can't reach it without scuba gear. [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Reefmaster]

hi christy
we could give you a bunch of macro algae next time you're down to compete with the hair algae. might help suck up some of the nutrients. shane

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

You may want to reduce photo time - something like 6 hours or even 4.

- Victor.

[canadawest]

Pssstt... Save some of that macro algae for me!! [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[Silverfish]

Christy, my brother had a really bad, forest-like hair algae problem in his trigger tank. I picked up about 15 snails for him from J&L (astreia and cerith) and they wiped it out in a couple of weeks... till the trigger picked em off that is! [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

It worked really well for him.. but who knows.. each tank is different, right?

[Reefmaster]

done deal andrew, do you want that delivered in a yogurt container, an ice cream bucket, a 5 gallon bucket, or should i just load up the truck? [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] i'll be over first week in feb unless one of the vic guys wants to bring it over for you at the meeting. i won't be at this one. shane

[canadawest]

Hey Shane, thanks for the generosity. If things work out with the reflectors coming over from the Island, perhaps a bag of Caulerpa can make the trip over as well?

If not, then you and I will make arrangements to get together when you're over in Feb.