[ReefKing24]

Ok my name is Rick and i have been doing this for a while, i just recently set up a 90 gallon reef, i had a 55 gallon and upgraded 9 months ago, everything was great the tank looked perfect and then all of the sudden I have a ton of hair algea all over my tank, I realize now i was feeding my fish way to much, so i lessoned there feedings, but the problem is still not gone, i have been fighting this for at least 2 months. Any help would be great, I have 300 watt metal halides that i run for 10 hrs a day, i had T-5's in my old tank and could run them 12 hrs with no problems, am i running these to much? Oh i almost forgot bubbles stick to the hair alge, let me know your thoughts i appreciate it.

[e_baer]

do you use RO water or faucet water?

[ReefKing24]

faucet water, but i have always used it with all of my other tanks as well, i add a few drops of prime to the water and then mix. Can you explain RO water, I have heard about it but could use a better explanation.

[walkerj14]

reverse osmosis (RO) describes a process used to remove a vast majority of impurities in everyday drinking water,,,, you can buy some at your local fish store or you can buy your own equipment to make your own,,,,,

their are some natural products on the market that will kill the hair algae and not harm the livestock...

[e_baer]

but when you add those product to kill hair algae, it is only puting a bandaid over the problem. You need to find a source of the problem with os most likely the phosphates from the faucet water. That is the good thing about RO water, it is just water and ony H2O nothing else....no chlorine, phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites. NOTHING ELSE. I used to be in the same boat as you, faucet water with prime. But about 2 weeks ago i started using distilled water (same as RO) and I have only put 12 gallons in my 55 reef and i can notice a huge difference already. There is suggnificantly less algae on the glass and rockwork as well. If it was up to me, I would get a cheap RO unit, but i dont have the money at this time.

[ReefKing24]

Thanks big time for the info you two, RO water and distilled are the same thing correct, they are both free of contaminents. I can pick up some distilled water at Walmart, or i can pick up RO water at my LFS. I am in the same boat can't afford an R.O unit right now but as soon as i have money probably should invest in one. Thanks

[e_baer]

Yeah they are the same thing, I think its about 68 cents a gollon.....TRUST me, when you go in there and get a bunch of gallons of RO water, people look at you funny. I went there yesterday and got 20 gallons, The cart was filled to the brim and people were looking at me funny. lol

[ReefKing24]

way to funny, i'm about to go into walmart and grab a bunch, i'm sure i will get the same looks. Thanks again.

[Troyboy112]

Not using faucet water is a great decision...

You might want to try shortening up you daily light cycle from 10 hours a day to 6. This wont harm the good stuff in your tank, but will help eliminate those bad algae...

Also, you can try feeding less-

If you normally feed once a day, switch it to once every two days...


Good luck with it...

[phillkg]

do you have good water movement, powerheads

[carmanimports]

where i live they have water station that r/o and it is 1 dollar for a gallon thats were i get all of my water and never get algae but at work we just use tap water and there is a epidemic of algae growth so i would r/o is the way to go the better the water is the better ur results will be

[e_baer]

just get an RO unit for 120 bucks...thats what im doing.

[ReefKing24]

Thanks everyone, i do have great water movenment, I have to figure it is the tap water, i bought some distilled water 20 gallons, and did my water change, In a few more days i will do another, and let you know how it goes. By the way how long does everyone keep on your lights? I know all lighting is different, and you can get away with P.C's far longer than Metal Halides, but just let me know your experiences and what lighting your using. I am using (2)250 watt metal halide 10,000K bulbs, for 10hrs a day.

[e_baer]

12-14 hours with 265 watt compact flourescent for me

[blind1993]

u should probably use ur matel halides for 6hours and then use ur t5s for the rest of the time.

[greatrock]

Look up r/o on ebay you can get them cheap and they do work. I had the same problem with hair algea scrub and get out as much as possible if it dies in the tank or filters it will promote more growth of the same My problem is gone now Stay persistant and it will go