red hair algae

[saltank]

I have red hair algae that is beginning to become a nuisance.

46gal bowfront, ph 8.3-8.4 alk 3.3 cal 360-380 water change 10% weekly with ro/di water nitrate <5 nitrite 0 ammonia 0 tank up 2 years, no sump, hob remora pro skimmer (skims well) 206watts pc

Started as isolated little tufts a couple months back, now on one side of the tank it is growing aggressively. This area doesn't get as much water flow as the rest of the tank, I'm thinking that may be part of the problem.

livestock = percula clown, 2 damsels, 1 yellow eye kole tang (I know I Know, 46gal not enough tank for the tang, he is probably going back anyhow because he will not touch the macro in the display which is the ONLY reason I bought him, lfs specifically stated it would devour the macro)....

Other than that, 50lbs lr, 40lbs ls, various softies, torch and frogspawn. All livestock appears very healthy, just can't get the dog gone red hair under control

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

:wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Check your P04. If you find trace amounts it could be worse, but your cyanobacteria is using more.

Also, when was the last time you changed out your lights? As your bulbs age, the spectum changes, so you might be due for a change.

Run a phosban (grabs the p04)

Increase your flow, and skim like crazy.

hths

 

[saltank]

Thanks! It could be the bulb in my 96watt fixture, > 1 year old!!!

I will change it and see if that makes a difference.

As for phosphate, I do drip kalk daily; my understanding is that kalk should precipitate out any phosphates?

Thanks for your input

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks! It could be the bulb in my 96watt fixture, > 1 year old!!!

I will change it and see if that makes a difference.

As for phosphate, I do drip kalk daily; my understanding is that kalk should precipitate out any phosphates?

Thanks for your input

'Welcome. I don't know anything about the chemistry behind the kalk drip. I'm sure someone else here will chime in.

 

[shavo]

hey i found a topic on another website to read, hope it helps


http://www.kipsreef.com/kalkwasser.htm

 

[jumpincactus]

There is a lot of debate concerning the kalks ability tp precipitate PO4 out of the water column. There are several well known reef gurus that make that claim.

I personally cannot say one way or the other if its true. Sounds resonable based on the chemistry. I do know this much I have dripped kalk from day one,also use Rowphos and I have not seen hide nor hair of any nuisance algae for five months now.

When I test for PO4 it never even registers. I use a good amount of chaeto in my fuge also.
Only algael bloom I have had was the dreaded new tank diatom expolsion but since then my tank is as clear as a bell.

 

[poormanisme]

good luck with red hair algae. I had it a while ago and resorted to "cooking" my rock to get rid of it. I also had no measurable nitrates or phosphates, very little in the way of fish and fed extremely lightly. the crap just kept spreading. it was a mistery to me. like i said, good luck.