Green-hair algae growth

[reefernewbie]

Green-Hair algae is beggining to grow on my live rock. I'm only assuming that I had a spike in nitrates and phosphates...probably due to overfeeding. I kept my skimmer on for longer periods of time and increased water changes to 2x/week, which seems to have retarded the growth.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of the green-hair algae NON-Chemically???? I have tried plucking away, but it has proved to be too tedious.

 

[Anonymous]

Green hair algae is a constant and everlasting battle for many. Getting rid of it entirely is often a long run proposition, but it sounds like you are definitely going in the right direction! Are you using RO or RO/DI water for water changes? And how old are your lights?

 

[spsmike]

It will not grow if phosphates are not present and as long as you have a clean up crew to munch on it during its lull of growth you can beat it.

 

[danmhippo]

Pick up the LR with hair algae on it and scrub the area clean with stiff brushes outside the tank.

I kept my skimmer on for longer periods of time

Huh? why don't you leave it on all the time?

It is impossible to eliminate phosphate in any tank unless you clean the tank out and leave it dry. Phosphate is present in all living things. The key is to keeping PO4 manageable.

I normally would suggest a refugium with macro algae, but it's apparent not going to work in your case. The only thing you should do is to cut back on feeding.

That being said, did you know it's actually not a bad idea to place another macro algae tank of equal size next to your 5Gal, and plumb it together? A properly setup macro algae tank is very eye pleasing.

 

[SnowManSnow]

My question is the same as hippo's : Why isn't your skimmer running all the time? My remora runs 24/7 and collects nice dark green water from my tank filled with nasty junk.

Is it that you have a loud skimmer? Maybe a prism or somthing, and don't run it durning the day while ppl are home?

B

 

[reefernewbie]

my skimmer is on during the day about 14 hrs due to the amount of noise it creates. i turn it off at night before I go to bed. I will try scrubbing it off and cut back on the feedings. i also use DI H20.
Thanks for the info

 

[danmhippo]

You can also post in the nano forum to ask them which quiet skimmer they would recommend for the 5 Gal tank.