How to get rid of hair algae without killing the coral ric?

[pjku79]

This is my first case of hair algae and I would like to get rid of it before it grows to another rock. I have a really small right about the size of my thumb that I purchased with a coral ric on it. It has been in my take for a few months and I just noticed some hair algae growing out from under the ric. How can I kill the hair algae without killing the ric?

[CoryDude]

Not sure about ricordeas, but I've had some luck using a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture of salt water and hydrogen peroxide on sps. It dissolves the algae without damaging the coral tissue. I've also used hydrogen peroxide on lobophyllia, brain coral, and mushrooms without any losses.

I just make up the 1/2 and 1/2 mixture and then lightly brush he solution around on the rock that the coral's attached to.

[randomfish]

you can also bring your mag up to about 1600 this method takes a little longer but works

[pjku79]

Yea I thought about the 1/2 and 1/2 solution, but I wasn't sure if that would damage the ric. I guess I'll give that a try tonight. I definatly dont want it spreading. Thanks

[jrnannery]

I would caution you to do this procedure in a bowl of tank water rather than in your display...your ric should put up a slime coat after being removed from the water, and should likely be protected. Rinse in your bowl after application, allowing a couple of minutes to work.

[pjku79]

Yea, that is what I was planning on. Should I rinse before putting it back in?

[CoryDude]

I keep two bowls of water ready. 1 with just seawater and the other with the 1/2 peroxide solution. That way I can rinse and dip the coral/live rock. The corals will slime up, but they usually get back to normal after a few hours.

[pjku79]

Well I did it last night before bed. I will see what it looks like tonight when I get home from work. Thanks for all the input.

[jrnannery]

Yes, do what Cory does...two bowls. Excellent suggestion. Updates? You should almost be able to watch that pesky algae die. Mwu-hu-huhu!!

[pjku79]

Well...I didn't see any algae last night, but the ric was still kind of bunched up. I hope it doesn't die.

[justahobby]

No worries, Ricordias are pretty hardy. I've only lost coral once with a hydrogen peroxide dip, and it was in conjuction with a FW dip and coral Rx too.

In the future you could use a pipette to directly apply H2O2 to the affected areas without dipping the coral.