Algae eaters
- Thread starter DaGoldenChild
- Start date
I have found that the worst problem is if your tank has direct sunlight on it. The other problem is over feeding and contributes to excessive nutrients in your water. I ofet have killed a large bloom by just turning the rock over so it does not recieve any more light.
Check this out.
Curing Green Hair Algae in your Saltwater Aquarium
From Stan & Debbie Hauter,
Your Guide to Saltwater Aquariums.
Simple Cure For Green Hair Algae
Simply put, if what you are seeing in your tank is a green, feathery looking mass, it is probably Green Hair Algae. Nuisance Green Macroalgae will help you if you want to know the scientific names, descriptions and any of the more technical information.
Once Green Hair Algae gets a foothold in a saltwater aquarium, it can soon cover everything in your tank if prompt measures are not taken. The cure for Green Hair Algae is the same as the prevention: Starve it into oblivion. Green Hair Algae require not only light, but also nitrates and phosphates in order to survive.
Nitrates can be introduced into an aquarium not only as the end product of the Nitrogen Cycling Process
(ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), but also via some brands of commercial sea salts and tap water.
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Phosphate (PO4) is a part of life on earth. Virtually every living thing contains some phosphates and they can enter the tank in a number of ways. Fish & critter foods, tap water and carbon are some of the phosphate generators in your tank.
What You'll Need:
Low range Phosphate (PO4) Test Kit (to measure in the .05 mg/L range).
Low range Nitrate Test Kit (to measure in the 10 mg/L range).
Tank siphon kit.
Sea Salts (or ocean water).
Test your tank water for nitrates and Phosphates.
If you have Green Hair Algae in your tank, your phosphates should read well above .05 mg/L., which is considered by many to be the lowest level at which Green Hair Algae will grow. The most common source of phosphates in an aquarium is from the FW used for top offs and water changes. In this case, doing water changes to reduce phosphates will only continue the problem unless the water source is changed. There are two basic methods of reducing phosphates in your tank.
Use only RO or RO/DI water whether you purchase an RO/DI unit or purchase RO/DI water from a commercial source. (Recommended)
Purchase and use a good "nitrate sponge". Many of the nitrate absorbing materials also absorb phosphates.
Use Mangrove Plants in your system to reduce phosphates.
Nitrates will always be something to contend with in your tank. For fast, immediate reduction, you can do a water change, using the Instant Nitrate Reduction Method. This will reduce your nitrates at the fastest rate, using the least amount of time and water. This will also get your nitrates down to a workable (10 mg/L area) level but it is only a Bandaid and does nothing to remove the source of the nitrates. Siphon out as much of the Green Hair Algae as possible. You will probably find that you will have to use several other methods (many of which are part of a good Aquarium Maintenance Routine) to keep your nitrates in check.
Use only RO or RO/DI water whether you purchase an RO/DI unit or purchase RO/DI water from a commercial source. (Recommended)
Purchase and use Mangrove Plants in your tank or sump. (Recommended)
Check to see if your commercial sea salts contain high levels of ammonia/nitrogen.
Purchase and use a good "nitrate sponge".
Do not overfeed your tank.
Siphon uneaten food and other loose material (detritus) from the substrate.
Perform periodic water changes.
By reducing the nitrate and phosphate levels in your tank, you will soon be healthy and free of the Green Hair Algae. Many of your tank occupants (corals and other invertebrates) will also benefit from the reduced levels. Sponsored Links
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Check this out.
Curing Green Hair Algae in your Saltwater Aquarium
From Stan & Debbie Hauter,
Your Guide to Saltwater Aquariums.
Simple Cure For Green Hair Algae
Simply put, if what you are seeing in your tank is a green, feathery looking mass, it is probably Green Hair Algae. Nuisance Green Macroalgae will help you if you want to know the scientific names, descriptions and any of the more technical information.
Once Green Hair Algae gets a foothold in a saltwater aquarium, it can soon cover everything in your tank if prompt measures are not taken. The cure for Green Hair Algae is the same as the prevention: Starve it into oblivion. Green Hair Algae require not only light, but also nitrates and phosphates in order to survive.
Nitrates can be introduced into an aquarium not only as the end product of the Nitrogen Cycling Process
(ammonia/nitrite/nitrate), but also via some brands of commercial sea salts and tap water.
Sponsored Links
Salt Water Aquariums
Find, compare and buy Pets! Simply Fast Savings
www.Shopping.com
Saltwater Aquarium Tips
Tired of changing tank water? Reduce Tank Nitrates- Guaranteed!
www.Aquaripure.com
Get Rid of Algae Fast
Eliminate all algae types from your pond or water garden. $29.97
www.PerfectWaterGardens.com
Phosphate (PO4) is a part of life on earth. Virtually every living thing contains some phosphates and they can enter the tank in a number of ways. Fish & critter foods, tap water and carbon are some of the phosphate generators in your tank.
What You'll Need:
Low range Phosphate (PO4) Test Kit (to measure in the .05 mg/L range).
Low range Nitrate Test Kit (to measure in the 10 mg/L range).
Tank siphon kit.
Sea Salts (or ocean water).
Test your tank water for nitrates and Phosphates.
If you have Green Hair Algae in your tank, your phosphates should read well above .05 mg/L., which is considered by many to be the lowest level at which Green Hair Algae will grow. The most common source of phosphates in an aquarium is from the FW used for top offs and water changes. In this case, doing water changes to reduce phosphates will only continue the problem unless the water source is changed. There are two basic methods of reducing phosphates in your tank.
Use only RO or RO/DI water whether you purchase an RO/DI unit or purchase RO/DI water from a commercial source. (Recommended)
Purchase and use a good "nitrate sponge". Many of the nitrate absorbing materials also absorb phosphates.
Use Mangrove Plants in your system to reduce phosphates.
Nitrates will always be something to contend with in your tank. For fast, immediate reduction, you can do a water change, using the Instant Nitrate Reduction Method. This will reduce your nitrates at the fastest rate, using the least amount of time and water. This will also get your nitrates down to a workable (10 mg/L area) level but it is only a Bandaid and does nothing to remove the source of the nitrates. Siphon out as much of the Green Hair Algae as possible. You will probably find that you will have to use several other methods (many of which are part of a good Aquarium Maintenance Routine) to keep your nitrates in check.
Use only RO or RO/DI water whether you purchase an RO/DI unit or purchase RO/DI water from a commercial source. (Recommended)
Purchase and use Mangrove Plants in your tank or sump. (Recommended)
Check to see if your commercial sea salts contain high levels of ammonia/nitrogen.
Purchase and use a good "nitrate sponge".
Do not overfeed your tank.
Siphon uneaten food and other loose material (detritus) from the substrate.
Perform periodic water changes.
By reducing the nitrate and phosphate levels in your tank, you will soon be healthy and free of the Green Hair Algae. Many of your tank occupants (corals and other invertebrates) will also benefit from the reduced levels. Sponsored Links
EZTank Aquarium Equipment
Salt Water Tanks-Complete, Custom & Components-Superior, patented equip
www.EZTank.com
Discount Aquariums
Great deals on quality aquariums. Start saving now! affiliate.
www.eBay.com
Algone - Algae Control
All Natural, Control Nitrate, Algae At your door, Wholesale prices!
www.riverwonders.com
All About Reefkeeping
Coral research, Reef equipment Reef forums, article library
www.reeffrontiers.com
Stanley Home Products
Save on Home Care products for easy cleaning, beauty supplies and more.
ShopStanley.com
If you have a quarantine tank or even a big bucket or something, throw the rock in there (you may not have room for it all, but there are usually rocks with more algae than most) and cover the sides and/or top and run it with filtration or a powerhead. Then you can tackle the nutrient issue in your tank. I had a hair algae problem in a temp. tank for the fish that came with my tank. I had added some LR for comfort and my old wet-dry made great hair algae just like it did 10 years ago!
Anyway, after the fish were out, I shut off the lights, covered the sides and in 2 weeks...voila! No more hair. I put it in another tank with much brighter light than the temp. tank and have had no sign so far. That and no wet-dry solved it nice for me.
GL.
Anyway, after the fish were out, I shut off the lights, covered the sides and in 2 weeks...voila! No more hair. I put it in another tank with much brighter light than the temp. tank and have had no sign so far. That and no wet-dry solved it nice for me.
GL.
my tank isn't in direct sunlight and i noticed when i left the lights off for extended periods of time the algae almost dissappeared but the problem is i have fish in the tank and i dont think long instances of darkness is healthy for them i dont have any coral yet, so if turning off the lights will solve the problem with out harming my fish then i will do that
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