Friggin Hair Algae

revgeoff · #1 07-14-2007, 03:50 PM

That lovely long green hair algae is starting to pop up in my 30gal seahorse tank. Does anyone know of a way to get rid of it?
-I could put my sea hare into the tank but it is doing so well in my reef tank that I don't want to transfer it.
-I don't want to add any crabs at all...I am too worried that they will bother the seahorses.
-I really don't want to take out the rock and a)transfer it to my reef tank for the sea hare to gobble up the algae or b)scrub the rock free of the damn stuff. Everyone is doing so well in there that I don't want to disrupt the tank too much (even the very small pipefish are doing well...)
Why won't snails eat this stuff!!!
Thanks for any suggestions.

Zoaelite · #2 07-14-2007, 04:11 PM

Im having a VERY similar problem except my tank is newer. I can suggest an increased number of snails (DIFFERNENT TYPES... You will eventualy find some that have a taste for Hair Algea). Other than that specific things that have helped me include:
PhosBan Reactor
RO/DI water changes
Change your lighting
Increase flow (Much harder in a Seahorse tank

)
I saw you were looking for a Canister filter for extra flow instead of that get a HOB Fuge if possible and grow Cheato this will absorbe Phos and Nitrates like CRAZY
The only other option you have is to take everything out and scrub it but that can be very stressing to a set up tank

.
Levi

michika · #3 07-14-2007, 05:43 PM

To add to the above list:
- try reducting feeding
- reduce your photo period until it dies down
- additional clean up crew members
- increase water quality, maybe going to RO/DI, if you aren't already on it

I'm battling the stuff myself and so far nothing is working. I'm currently trying a blackout period. For the weekend I'm keeping all the lights off and towels over the tank to prevent any light from feeding the algae.

revgeoff · #4 07-14-2007, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, but:
-due to the fact that it is seahorses I can't actually reduce my feeding
-I have reduced the photo period (I have a nice 250mh over the tank) but it isn't working (damn that algae!)
-I am already using RO/DI water

As for cleanup crew, I'm not really sure what to add as I don't want any crabs.

Okguy · #5 07-16-2007, 03:49 PM

How old is your light bulb? Older bulbs (8-12 months old) can result in hair algae.

marie · #6 07-16-2007, 04:00 PM

Also snails aren't much good at keeping hair algae in check when it is long. You may have to manually pull all the long stuff out and then plop a snail down on top of the stubble

danny zubot · #7 07-16-2007, 04:03 PM

Do you think a Lawnmower blennie would disrupt things too much in the seahorse tank?

Zoaelite · #8 07-16-2007, 04:34 PM

Lawnmower blennie dont eat hair algea unfortuantly

They are more prone to picking off little diatoms and not so stringy algea from rocks :P
Levi

TheReefGuy · #9 07-16-2007, 04:40 PM

Get some hermits or some snails.

fishoholic · #10 07-16-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i2as kass

Lawnmower blennie dont eat hair algea unfortuantly

They are more prone to picking off little diatoms and not so stringy algea from rocks :P
Levi

Our lawnmower blennie ate all the hair algea in our tank, however I think they move around to fast to be a good choice in a seahorse tank