Author Topic: Hair algae!!! (Read 1552 times)

Rob · « **on:** November 29, 2021, 09:31:57 »

Ok, what is the best way to eliminate hair algae? When I initially set this tank up, I had it it really bad. Since then, I got an RO/DI water filter (less garbage in, less garbage out) and am running Chemi-Pure Blue (it has some GFO in it) with the hopes to remove phosphate (food source for algae). It has gown down dramatically, however, I still have some. I plan to do a couple of water changes in the near future to help as well.

All of that being said, which crabs or other life can keep this at bay? This is a small tank, so open-ocean swimmer will not work for me.

Kenn · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2021, 10:09:07 »

How long have you been fighting the hair algae in this tank? Sounds like you're winning the war; it may just take a little more time

Rob · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2021, 14:15:43 »

The tank has only been up for a couple of months.

Steve · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2021, 14:35:23 »

Quote from: Rob on November 29, 2021, 09:31:57

All of that being said, which crabs or other life can keep this at bay? This is a small tank, so open-ocean swimmer will not work for me.

Your right about nutrient control being important. I always keep blue leg (mostly) and other assorted hermits, which I know a lot of people don't like, but to me other than tangs they are the best at hair algae control.

dwarner73 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2021, 15:25:34 »

Did the tank cycle properly?

Rob · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2021, 16:38:01 »

Yes, it did. No issue with the cycling, took my time on it. The amount of hair algae I have now is significantly less than what I had, the color is also much less green. I'll grab a couple of pics.

Rob · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2021, 16:38:59 »

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SweetReefOH · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2021, 19:20:35 »

I may be missing them in the photo but I dont see any snails? I would manually pull out as much as you can and then add 1 snail per 2 gallons of water. You shouldn?t have any problems after that.

dwarner73 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2021, 19:45:55 »

I also blast my rocks with a turkey Baster before water changes and when I?ve had hair algae have found larger and more frequent water changes help like 20% twice a week. Turbo snails also are good to keep hair algae at bay once controlled.

Rob · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2021, 23:00:27 »

I need some hermits and snails! Where is the best place to get these critters in town these days?

SaltLife · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2021, 23:54:39 »

I don't know so much about hair algae, but I added a couple of urchins to my tank and they eat everything green, in no time.

SweetReefOH · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2021, 07:43:38 »

Quote from: Rob on December 01, 2021, 23:00:27

I need some hermits and snails! Where is the best place to get these critters in town these days?

Personally, I would forego the hermits. In my experience they will kill your snails and wipe them out quickly. Snails eat a ton of algae and if you get a bit of variety, you won?t need anything else.

Gerbers has plenty of snails. They are costly though. I just bought 100 Florida Astrea snails from KP Aquatics for $104 shipped. I?ve only had 2 out of those die! They are one of the best vendors out there!

Rob · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2021, 07:57:29 »

I would say a 98% survival rate is phenomenal!

dwarner73 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2021, 11:45:12 »

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crews?limit=int&limitstart=50

Slot of people also use reef cleaners out of FL. They have custom crews based on ur tank size or u can manually select. I always select my own and I?d add a couple turbo snails imo

Rob · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2021, 12:50:45 »

I swung out to Gerber's at lunch and picked up four turbos. I made sure I asked for hungry ones. I think this will bode well for my little tank. Now we wait...

SweetReefOH · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2021, 16:02:27 »

Quote from: dwarner73 on December 02, 2021, 11:45:12

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crews?limit=int&limitstart=50

Slot of people also use reef cleaners out of FL. They have custom crews based on ur tank size or u can manually select. I always select my own and I?d add a couple turbo snails imo

I recently had a bad experience with them. Their ?free shipping? was bogus.

dwarner73 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2021, 16:45:09 »

Quote from: SweetReefOH on December 02, 2021, 16:02:27

I recently had a bad experience with them. Their ?free shipping? was bogus.

Really? I?ve bought from John at least 4 times and never had a problem.

ohioreef · « **Reply #17 on:** December 02, 2021, 21:25:45 »

Saltybottomreefcompany is good as well.

SweetReefOH · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2021, 09:03:41 »

Quote from: dwarner73 on December 02, 2021, 16:45:09

Really? I?ve bought from John at least 4 times and never had a problem.

Try ordering 90 Astrea snails under their free shipping.... he will not fulfill the purchase. He required I send him $45 extra for overnight shipping.

Rob · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2021, 09:59:32 »

Well, the snails were indeed hungry! They are doing a wonderful job.

If I could figure out how to post pictures from the web interface, I'd show some daily updates. They are mowing it down.

Steve · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2021, 13:18:03 »

That's good news.

Rob · « **Reply #21 on:** December 20, 2021, 13:11:37 »

So, if anyone has been following this thread, a couple of weeks ago I picked up four turbo snails...and they set to work.

Here is a couple of days after they were introduced.

All in all, it took about 4-5 days to go from sorta scuzzy to perfect.

ugh...how do I actually insert a picture into the reply?

ohioreef · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2021, 16:35:49 »

The large Mexican turbos are great!! Needing to get me a few more. Astreas are good too.

marineman · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2021, 12:43:11 »

Looking at the pic, some of that has a fern-like look. Investigate closely to make sure it's really hair algae and not bryopsis. If it is, you'll need a different treatment regiment.

If it is bryopsis, look into flucanizole for a treatment.

If hair algae, you might also want to try a sea hare. Just note that they mow it down fast, then die fast when it is gone. Have a return plan, find someone else to share it with, etc!

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Author Topic: Hair algae!!! (Read 1552 times)