hair algae update

[Dapple]

Well I put a gfo reactor on my 75. I have been removing removing the rock and scrubbing it in a bucket but it just keeps coming back. I raised the amount of gfo from 1 cup to 1.75 cups and now it seems as if the hair algae has spread faster with nasty *** cyano all over . I am going to do another water change in the morning. When I do water changes I siphon the junk off the rocks as well.

 

[kmaintl]

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...ne-experice-algaefix-marine-ridding-hair.html

try this to get it in control, the gfo to keep it in control.

 

[Dapple]

I've never tried any chemical on my tank. But I'm really to the point of doing so because I haven't had any success in this battle.

 

[Dapple]

So you have used this product and it does work?

 

[kmaintl]

A local Bay Area reefer swears by it, so I posed the question on R2R. Never heard or used it until after getting those responses that you see on that thread. Yep, it works and doesn't harm or affect any livestock if you follow the directions. I made the mistake of buying the biggest bottle as you really don't use that much. If you want some, I can mail you a couple of ounces if you pay for the postage. I bought the big 16oz bottle and your hair algae will probably be gone before you finish even 2 ounces. I think it's like a 5ml capful for every 25g.

 

[Dapple]

I do believe I will try it. No need to ship my LFS is down the road.

 

[Clay4AU]

Install an ATS(algae turf scrubber) and put that GHA to work for you.

 

[kmaintl]

I do believe I will try it. No need to ship my LFS is down the road.

Just get the SMALLEST bottle, you don't need much. This gets it in control and then you need to keep it in control after that.

 

[Dapple]

Do you think the cyano all over the hair algae is an effect of the gfo decomposing the hair algae. I do.

 

[EvilMel]

If you have algae decomposing in your tank and if you're moving rocks around a lot, you're probably disturbing a lot of detritus that was sedentary on your rocks. That adds more nutrients to your tank. Any time you get more nutrients, you will likely see more cyano or hair algae. Hair algae is generally caused by lack of flow and excess nitrates whereas cyano is typically caused by older lights and phosphates.

 

[Engloid]

Hope you don't mind me piggy-backing in this thread, but it seems to be a similar problem. I plumbed my 20g tank into my main system. I have t5's on it, and halides on the 220g. Problem is that the 20g (frag tank) is getting a lot of cyano in it, but the 220g is just fine with none at all. What would everybody suggest, since I know it's not a water issue? I'm thinking about cutting back the light, raising it up higher, etc.

 

[EvilMel]

Are the T5s old?

 

[EvilMel]

Or are any of the bulbs 6500K?

 

[Dapple]

The lights I'm running are 2 led AI sol units. The power is up to 90% on them. When I went up to 100% I noticed some whitening within one day. So I came back down. I've been installing a ceramic floor for the past week. It's done now so I will see if aquatic marine has some in a day or two.

 

[Engloid]

I think my bulbs are 10k, originals in a current sundial, 2ft...2 actenic, 2 10k. Not sure of age, but PAR was higher than my 250k halodes at about 6in depth.

Would old bulbs increase cyano, or just hair algae?

 

[Dapple]

Algaefix api product in use now I will keep yall informed. Next treatment will be sea chem red slime

 

[Engloid]

I put in the red slime, same day you used yours. What's your progress?

Mine is all dead now, so I will do water change tonight.

 

[EvilMel]

I don't want to hear any more about this hair algae thing until you tell me you've done at least a month or two worth of water changes every week at least 20%. You cannot avoid water changing and expect to be hair algae-free.

 

[Engloid]

I don't want to hear any more about this hair algae thing until you tell me you've done at least a month or two worth of water changes every week at least 20%. You cannot avoid water changing and expect to be hair algae-free.

Not being smart, but....
Can you tell me why not doing waterchanges oftwn would increase hair algae? Phosphates fromfish waste or what.

Btw, I'm cyano free already. Red slime works aas advertised.

 

[EvilMel]

Nitrates and other nutrients accumulate when you don't do water changes. Nutrients accumulate on your rocks when you don't have flow...bits of detritius land and degrade, creating micro-zones of high nutrients, even if your water column water reads low.

Spencer, I was telling Darren I wanted him to do water changes, not you. I don't want you to think I was being sassy at you. It was directed at him for thinking it's his lights rather than his lack of water changing.