[nicholash]

We have some hair algea in our 55 gal reef, i'd rather not explain every single precaution taken before (using DI units, adding skimmers,using phosphate removal, etc.. ) to try and kill off the algea. I have found some algea removal products, both are said to be reef safe and biodegradable with out any use of copper, has anyone used or heard of these products:

Marc Weiss: Algae Magic
&
Stop Hair Algea
marineandreef.com/ Aquarium Algae Control Products

[reefnoob1991]

All it's going to do is mask the problem for now...your still putting phosphates in your water so basically your wasting your money...use RO water and your problem will be solved.

[nicholash]

We have some hair algea in our 55 gal reef, i'd rather not explain every single precaution taken before (using DI units, adding skimmers,using phosphate removal, etc.. ) I do use them

[glampka]

I haven't used any of them but agree with noob- you're just masking the underlying cause. How long are your lights on? How often do you feed your fish? What kind of filter are you using?

[nicholash]

with all the money we use just to have DI water so on and so forth, i would rather have something i masks it , even if it is for a little while

I litterately cant get small patches of it off the bottom of my tank ( I syphon, i scrub, change water) with a DI unit and more. If one more person tells me phosphates etc.. is in my DI water im going to shoot my self


I have no FISH, already reduced light cycle, 1st by 1 then by 2 hrs.

[reefnoob1991]

Well I'm sure you can get RO for $.50 a gallon...I do from a variety of stores including petland and walmart.

[nicholash]

my DI unit is unsuitable ?

[reefnoob1991]

I know RO removes more than DI does

[nicholash]

if i start to use this water the algea will simply die off ??

[reefnoob1991]

You'll notice it's decreasing alot. I have next to none and the first day I got it it was covered with it..of course my crabs helped too. Red leg hermit crabs with yellow faces eat hair algae.

[nicholash]

why did it start in yours ? did you not use RO at first ? what is next to none, i can keep my rocks clean but patches grow on the bed of my tank and from there gets lush if i let it.

[reefnoob1991]

It never started, it was on a rock I got when I added some about 4 days after starting my tank.



As you can see the amount of it has been significantly reduced. (rock on the top right)

[SweeTang22]

i undersand that you lighting length has been shortened but how many hours do you have them on. what are you using for lights?? if you still getting algae then you should have you lights on for about 8 hours for the highs, 12 hours for the actinic. you have no fish so your not adding food to the tank, so then i would be left to ask the lighting question. if not for peace of mind, get your freshly processed DI water and have it tested for phosphates just to see if there is in fact some in you water. i doubt it, but i've seen weirder things happen!!

[reefnoob1991]

I keep my lights on 12 hours a day and I hardly see any algae at all. Along with using RO water, you could try to get some scrapings of coralline algae and seed it in your tank.

[nicholash]

i found some distilled water and the lable discribes it to be RO is this what we need ?

[reefnoob1991]

Yep! sure is

[msbdiving]

Stand alone DI units are usually used up quickly. What is the DI unit that you are using. Yes RO does remove much more than a stand alone DI unit. If you have a 55g, then you might want to look into getting one on ebay rather than buying water. It will be much cheaper in the long run. Figuring in gas to get there and back not to mention the cost of the water.

[nicholash]

COOL... i'll start to use it for water compensation and 20% changes.. thanks alot you've helped me a good deal.. for one last question how long has that hair algea taken to be reduced that much? it doesnt spread?

[reefnoob1991]

It can spread...normally you'll start seeing reductions a few days-week after your significant sized water changes.

[Gaz616]

I also have a problem with hair algea and I have tried everything in the book. Just simple changing to ro water will not work on its own as I have always used ro water. Using a phosphate remover will not work on its own as I have used rowaphose in a fluidizer for 2 months. Also not over feeding fish is not going to solve problem on its own as I feed my fish as much as they can eat quickly and no more. If it was as simple to sort out as some people seem to make out then no body would have hair algea. By the way the cycles my algea comes in are slowly getting less and less often with less growth but it has been a long battle.

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by Gaz616

I also have a problem with hair algea and I have tried everything in the book. Just simple changing to ro water will not work on its own as I have always used ro water. Using a phosphate remover will not work on its own as I have used rowaphose in a fluidizer for 2 months. Also not over feeding fish is not going to solve problem on its own as I feed my fish as much as they can eat quickly and no more. If it was as simple to sort out as some people seem to make out then no body would have hair algea. By the way the cycles my algea comes in are slowly getting less and less often with less growth but it has been a long battle.

I take it you have tried algea eating critters "sea hares" and such?

[Gaz616]

Must have about forty snails chewing away at it.

[kolokefalo]

Algae removal products treat symptoms not the cause. Are you using a Kalkwasser drip? This will help the phosphate precipitate out of solution. Just make sure to vacuum the gravel along with Kalkwasser dosing.

[c_gil]

Through my experience SNAILS work the best in removing the hair algae they will mow right through thats stuff and should be gone in a matter of days.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Algea in a new tank is all part of the cycling process,when you dont get algea its time to worry. In instances were over feeding and useing tap water are ruled out most of it will go away when its food is gone.It is simply the tank doing what it is suppose to do.Dont let it freak you out.At the risk of sounding like a broken record,"If you cant test for it,dont put it in the tank".Unknown elements in the tank water are often the cause of major problems in the tank.And we will sit back and say,"It couldnt have been that because the container said it was reef safe".I have to say thats right up there with believing everything an lfs says lol.