hair algae

[clowntrigger]

I agree with the phosphate idea, are you using RO water? This makes a huge difference.

Another option is a good skimmer.

[Markster]

I run the metal halides 8 hours a day. Bulbs are Venture SE 10K. The ballast is electronic and is plugged into a digital timer. I have an RO/DI unit and top off/water change using that water only. I have a 30 gallon sump/refug and hand a Remora skimmer. I used to run phosguard all of the time and a few months stopped.

[GaryP]

Mark,

I would do the following 3 things:

1. Check your RO unit with a hardness meter to see if your unit is due for a membrance change.

2. Start using phosguard again.

3. Increase your clean up critters. I got a couple of lettuce nudibranchs recently and am very happy with what they have done so far. Since the growth is on your glass, snails would be good too.

Gary

[matt]

One thing, though, if phosguard is one of the aluminum based phosphate sponges, I wouldn't use it. Those are not considered safe for reef tanks. There's a product called rowaphos that has a good reputation; I used it for a while and I think it did some good. The skimmer will do surpisingly little to lower phosphate, as I believe the number one source for phosphate in reef tanks (other than a bad filter for make-up water) is usually fish pee. Supposedly, dripping KW into the input of a powerful skimmer is a very effective way of lowering phosphate; something about the calcium hydroxide in the presence of high turbulence and air/water surface (foam) that causes phosphate to precipitate.

[Markster]

Gary, where did you get the nudibranchs?

The RO/DI unit membranes were replaced six weeks ago. I put the phosguard in, no sponge, but little white beads in a bag.

Thanks all.

Markster

[GaryP]

Mark,

There was a recent online order for the lettuce nudis. However, Fin-Addict also got some in. They have a good price on them as well. I've noticed some pretty large swatchs of hair algae they have wiped out in the last week or so.

Gary