refugium advice to newbies from a newbie

[Bucktronix]

bob your just trying to get me banned enticing me into posting in this thread.. im onto to your game and it won't work this time

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: and general LOL

 

[Anonymous]

Im starting to have a hair algae problem myself (last couple months)..It is frustrating since the only way (feasible) way of ridding it, is to starve it.

I am coming to think that it may that HA is getting nutrients from rock it is on and not the WC. If that is the case, starving, in the sense of not feeding the tank, won't work. Harvesting the HA will though, because eventually the new growth will use up the nutrients in the rock. Just a thought!

 

[Anonymous]

I am coming to think that it may that HA is getting nutrients from rock it is on and not the WC. If that is the case, starving, in the sense of not feeding the tank, won't work. Harvesting the HA will though, because eventually the new growth will use up the nutrients in the rock. Just a thought!

Why do you think that Righty? That's an interesting idea.

 

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that Bubble-Shell Snails seek & destroy Hair Algae. Not as well as a Sea Hare but they don't seem to starve after the hair is gone like Sea Hares do.

 

[Anonymous]

In two years, never had a problem with it.. I try harvesting it but it keeps coming back...Thanx for the help Righty ..I agree with starving it some how...just how is the question..may have to invest in something that will eat it (against my better judgment)

 

[Anonymous]

There is NO cure for hair algae.
_________________
Mercedes Benz Vito

 

[Anonymous]

I am coming to think that it may that HA is getting nutrients from rock it is on and not the WC. If that is the case, starving, in the sense of not feeding the tank, won't work. Harvesting the HA will though, because eventually the new growth will use up the nutrients in the rock. Just a thought!

Why do you think that Righty? That's an interesting idea.

Bryopsis seems to get nutrients from where it is rooted.
And I was thinking about rock cooking and the idea that people seem to have HA problems even with no nutrients in the water.

 

[Anonymous]

I am coming to think that it may that HA is getting nutrients from rock it is on and not the WC. If that is the case, starving, in the sense of not feeding the tank, won't work. Harvesting the HA will though, because eventually the new growth will use up the nutrients in the rock. Just a thought!

Why do you think that Righty? That's an interesting idea.

Bryopsis seems to get nutrients from where it is rooted.
And I was thinking about rock cooking and the idea that people seem to have HA problems even with no nutrients in the water.

Hmm, interesting.

 

[Reefer_man]

I started my tank in Febuary and have been through all the cycles of algae including hair. I just set up a fuge last weekend. I took the bioballs out of my pro clear 75 system and replace it with some big chunks of live rock and 5 lbs of LR rubble and put a 1/4lb. of chaeto in it with a flourescent "grow"lamp that is opposite my display tanks lighting cycle. The only place I have HA growing is in the bottom of my overflow box. If I let it go for 2 weeks or so the bottom is covered and it is probably 2 inches tall. Any idea why that is the only place it is a problem? Would my turbo snails be eating it everywhere else? I have alot of corraline algae growing inside the overflow box as well.

 

[ChrisRD]

I think you answered your own question. :wink:

Sounds like whatever is grazing the algae doesn't go inside the overflow box. You might want to try blocking the light from getting in the overflow if that's an option.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you answered your own question. :wink:

Sounds like whatever is grazing the algae doesn't go inside the overflow box. You might want to try blocking the light from getting in the overflow if that's an option.

I had to do that on my 72 because the pendant MH light sat right over the overflow. I used an old plastic tupperware lid cut to fit over the opening-not classy but it worked

 

[Nanogasm]

I think there is a growing trend for new hobbiests to equate a refugium and an algal scrubber. Refugiums can be used for export but that is not their primary purpose. A scrubber is set up primarily to export nutrients. Algae scrubbers work but it's not all roses. To make a proper decision for your specific system you need to know the downsides and pitfalls as well as the benefits.

You couldn't be more right Guy.. atleast with my newbie insight, your statement is dead on. I had heard of algae scrubbers, but I thought refugiums served a more natural way of providing the same purpose, plus providing a safe haven for growing pod stock.

I hadn't purchased/made one yet as I'm taking the whole thing slow and cautious. Thanks for the clarification and head's up.

 

[Rikko]

Man, I keep forgetting how much I love my DSB...

 

[bboyin4lyf]

i battled hair algae for about 3 -5 months, i tried everything. nothing worked until i attacked the tank everday for about 15 mintues ripping and syphoning every patch up like some drug afflicted mad man from hell . i happily have not seen a trace in about a year.