Minor hair alge outbreak

[mwebber28]

I got a new frag and within a week have noticed a minor hair alge outbreak near it and of course it has spread to the surounding area. Yea for me!!!

I plan to cut my lighting down from 8 to 6 hours a day with each halaide running for 3 hours independent of each other. I am going to change 10-15 gallons of water every 3 days(I have a 75gal tank) and will also make a weter skim. I also plan to introduce about 20 more crabs and a few more asteria snails to get into the tightplaces of my rocks.

Am I leaving anything out?

 

[Krish]

Sounds like a pretty good plan! Was the tank set up with new rock pr some from an established tank? Algae will be the result of excess nutrients in the tank/the presence of nitrates and phosphates that they feed on so something is fueling them which you would need to figure out.


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[josh88]

Couldn't hair algae and other algae's also result from over feeding? The left over food not eatin, create a food source for the algae to eat

HTC EVO

 

[mwebber28]

Sounds like a pretty good plan! Was the tank set up with new rock pr some from an established tank? Algae will be the result of excess nutrients in the tank/the presence of nitrates and phosphates that they feed on so something is fueling them which you would need to figure out.


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I just replaced my floors and as a result had to break down my tank. I started with new rock that I had in another tank curing for about a month. That rock was sitting out of the water for about a month. I also cleaned it with a wire brush and had it in a fresh water bath for 3 days.

I did have a minor diatom attack the first week but that just cycled off a few days later. Its been over a month since then so I dont think they are related.

 

[mwebber28]

Couldn't hair algae and other algae's also result from over feeding? The left over food not eatin, create a food source for the algae to eat

HTC EVO

It could but I only feed my fish once a day and I filter the brine shrimp to elminate the shrimp juice. I give my tang some nori 3 times a week but I dont think its the cause. I dont recall anyone saying anything about nori causing an alge outbreak in anything I have ever read. intresting thought though.

 

[TJL]

You'll just need to let the bacteria levels balance back out a bit again, but if the HA gets a strong hold my best suggestion would be to get a Sea Hare or two or posibly a Cowrie as in my experience are the best at removing hair algae. Any and All healthy systems have plenty of Nitrates and Phosphates even when undetectable with our hobby test kits as they are being consumed nearly as fast as being produced by Algaes and Corals etc...

Cheers, Todd

 

[Krish]

You'll just need to let the bacteria levels balance back out a bit again, but if the HA gets a strong hold my best suggestion would be to get a Sea Hare or two or posibly a Cowrie as in my experience are the best at removing hair algae. Any and All healthy systems have plenty of Nitrates and Phosphates even when undetectable with our hobby test kits as they are being consumed nearly as fast as being produced by Algaes and Corals etc...

Cheers, Todd

I don't think he's blind Todd :lol:

 

[mwebber28]

I don't think he's blind Todd :lol:

LOL... that is kinda big.

I'll look into the sea hare if it gets going real bad. Right now its in tight nooks Im not sure anything other than a crab can get to.

 

[1guydude]

cut back ur lights to 6-8hrs...? I run mine 8hrs a day period. Where u running them longer? +1 about cutting back on the food...how much u feed how often? Wat u feed? Both animals and food...The water changed imo are a lil excessive. Ive never had a real bad outbreak of HA but if need b, u could take the rock out and scrub it with a new toothbrush. I say new so u dont re use ur own lol... Just rinse it in a bucket of sw before putting it back in the tank bro.-d

 

[mwebber28]

cut back ur lights to 6-8hrs...? I run mine 8hrs a day period. Where u running them longer? +1 about cutting back on the food...how much u feed how often? Wat u feed? Both animals and food...The water changed imo are a lil excessive. Ive never had a real bad outbreak of HA but if need b, u could take the rock out and scrub it with a new toothbrush. I say new so u dont re use ur own lol... Just rinse it in a bucket of sw before putting it back in the tank bro.-d

Dude, I think you misread my first post please go read it again.

 

[mwebber28]

So I have checked my water from the RO/DI unit in my garage and it checks out fine. I last changed my filters and membrane 9 months ago and have ordered a new set just because its time.

I did my first water change today and my nitrates/ nitrites and phos were pretty much undetected. I replaced 15 gal and no real change as expected. I'm using a elos kit for the good stuff and a API for the phos/ nitrate/ nitrite.... yeah I know... Ill do better soon...

Anyway I plan to add 20 more crabs tommorow and if they have it a few more snails. Promlem is my rock work is too tight for my turbo's to get at it and the astreas cant seem to keep up. I have even plucked themfrom other parts of the tank and put them on it, they help but its not gone.

Someone suggested a Sea Hare. anyone else have good luck with these guys. If so how long do they last?


One other thing. I just purchased an MP-40 and am still waiting for it to come in. I currently have a 1200 and a 1050 in my 75 gal. I have noticed a few dead spots hence the MP40. Could this be the problem?

Thanks for the input

 

[dexter]

Get a nudibranch snail

 

[mwebber28]

So, with the addition of 6 turbo snails, 12 crabs and a new poewr head I have all but eraticated the problem.

I replaced my 1050 and 1200 power heads with an Eco tech MP 40. If anyone is on the fence about this power head like I was then trust me when I say IT"S WORTH THE MONEY.

I'm not sure what was the key factor or if it was just the combination but thanks for the help.