[nicholash]

I am currently running a 55g reef tank, my filtration exists of two bio-wheels, one for 50g and a double wheel 60-90. I also run a canister fluval 104. Skimmer wise, I have a Berlin Air Lift for up to 60gal and a skilter filter with a skimming rate of up to 50 gallons. I was told that with this much filtration and skimming capacity I could prolong hair algea from growing, yet every time I scrub it off it continues to grow more lush, even during a night, or one days time. Also I run a dual-satilite compact fluorecent pushing 260watts over the 55. Are my skimmers powerful enough, or do I have different problems.

[ACE]

Your phosphates are probably to high that can contribute to hair algae to tell what your phosphates are at you will need to get a phosphate test kit.
To remove them you will need to get phosphate remover or do a some water changes.

Other steps you can take to prevent algae is to lower your light cycle and to make sure your not over feeding your fish.

[nicholash]

already lowered light cycle by two hours each... there are no fish its a reef only tank, the tank it only 3 months old so i syphon and change 20% about once every week. are you sure it is phosphates?? " i clean well and very often.

[Krazy]

Nitrates and or phosphates are the cause of hair algae 95% of the time, is your tank near a spot where it gets natural sunlight as well as the tank light ?

How old is the tank?

My guess is nitrates with that canister filter..

Do a water test if you can and post your water parameters for us..

[nicholash]

nitrates/nitrites- under 1ppm
amonia- 0
ph- 8.1

the tank is 3 months old

no its not were it can get natural sunlight

[ACE]

I cant be totally sure that it is your phosphates only a test kit can tell I'm only trying to figure out what the problem is and that is the only thing I can think of that has your hair algae growing so fast.

Although you can get something to eat it like an emerald crab!!!

[Krazy]

lettuce nudibranches eat hair algae, algae blenny would as well...

[nicholash]

we do have 3 emerald crabs and 1 lettus nudi and 2 bumble bee snails

[SeaBoy]

Increase flow rate in affected areas may help the grow back rate.

[sailfin1]

How often do you clean/replace your filter media? I am thinking that your filters are cranking out nitrates and your algea is eating them and giving you low readings of nitrates. I would never use a bio wheel or bio ball system in a salt water tank they are notorious for pumping mad nitrates in your tank. I only use a filter briefly once in a while to run some carbon or a micron filter then turn it off. Just my experiance.

[e_baer]

It is probably your phosphates. They are in a lot of tap water. You can get distilled water from walmart for .68 cents a gallon!

[ReefKing24]

Hey i picked up 3 tuxedo urchins for my 90 and they are kicking the algea's butt. I highly recommend them.

[e_baer]

yeah, i have a pincushin, which is basically the same thing except different colors...and yeha it sure does kick butt!