Hair Algae..again

[Thunderkat]

I am having another hair algae problem. I have a new skimmer that pulls out junk like crazy, I do weekly 10% water changes(have a RO unit just for my tank), I use activated carbon, and phosphate sponge. I also pulled out my bio media and biowheels about 3 weeks ago, maybe 4. Everyday I pull out hair algae from my sand and rocks but it keeps growing back. I also have a fuge with chaeto in it and 24/7 lighting.

What else can I do to get rid of the hair algae? It wasn't a problem until my girlfriend insulted me by saying mine was the only tank she had ever seen that had hair algae in it. :o

[GaryP]

Here we go again!

I would recommend switching to a different phosphate product besides the sponge. I have never been a big fan of them. They seem to be more for "little" problems. Phosguard is one option but you may end trading your hair algae problem for diatoms. Diatoms are easier to control in my opinion. The other option is an iron based product like phosban or rowaphos. The down side there is that you may need to add a reactor for it. Just more plumbing and equipment for a tank your size.

Once you get phosphate under control, then get a pretty good sized clean up crew to eliminate the hair algae. Detritivores like hermits or nassarius will cut down on the detritus that I think is a major cause of excess phosphates. Otherwise, it sounds like you are doing a good job.

[fishcrazy]

What about the 24/7 lighting? Shouldn't he cut that down?

[GaryP]

24/7 is fine for a fuge. I run mine that way. The more the macro is photosynthesizing, the more nutrients its pulling out of the water.

[cbianco]

Long time no hear ThunderKat! Nice of you to pop out of hiding!

Besides the algae how is the tank coming along?

Christopher

[Thunderkat]

Haven't been in hiding, been in school and dying of the flu. Tank is coming along great, corals reporducing fast, my 4 super blue zoos are now around 16 in number, haven't seen an aiptasia in a while, guess my fire technique works great (burn them until all that is left on the spot they were on is black soot), fish are doing ok, my other ornamental macroalgaes are doing great. The only thing I wonder about is my emerald crabs, I think I bought a total of 6 but only see 2. I don't know if the other others are dead or are in hiding. The two I have seen are only because the holes they hide in aren't big enough for them and you can see little leg tips sticking out. I did see some fighting and one of them running around with a few less legs once maybe they killed each other. That could explain the bloom of hair algea when there was not any growing earlier.