Hair Algae!!!!

[Xler8n]

Ive had my tank for about two years and have NEVER had a problem with hair algae. Its not a huge problem but i dont like the sight of it. Im not using an RO/DI yet so that could be a factor as i also have cyano growing on my sand bed. I siphon it out every two weeks when i do a water change. On the top of my tank i have a sunpod 150 Watt X 2 in the middle and on the back i have a PC fixture with 2 65 watt ultra actinics. It only seems to be growing on the rocks under the actinics. Also i looked in my overflow cuz i have a reef ready tank and its growing in the openings where the water flows into the overflow. Is this a problem?? I mean should i scarpe it off to get rid of it cuz maybe its restricting water flow into the overflow? Please help cuz i hate hair algae. I would like to get rid of it without getting a type of fish that eats it before it gets real bad. Also i do not have any sort of clean up crew. Only 2 red leg hermits that i got for free. Could high phosphates be causing this? I am going to test my phosphates at my LFS tomarrow to see what my levels are.

[YLChik]

yes phosphates are furling your algae blooms - most likely won't show up on a phosphate test - they just aren't sensitive enough.

the fact you are not using rodi is part of this
old lights can help algae along
as can over feeding or too many fish in a tank

yes you want to clean out your overflow - try a tooth brush

I suggest changing your husbandry habits instead of adding fish
IF rodi is not possible adding a phosphate reactor can help...

I also suggest adding some snails to help ya out -

[aquawolf]

How old are those PC bulbs? I am mainly curious as I was having a discussion with a shop owner about algae growth under PC's versus other bulbs once they start losing PAR.

[Xler8n]

Maybe about 6 to 7 months old. One kinda died on me and it was really dim. while the other was just fine. I had it on the back but today i decided to take the whole fixture off and just keep the sunpod in the middle. Give me more room and i think looks a little better... not as blue.. Also i FINALLY ordered my Phoenix bulbs as per TONYS recommendation. They just got here. Im so excited i can hardly wait to put them in but im gonna clean the glass cover with warm water and vinegar first cuz they have salt creep. When i got the fixture the sunpaq bulbs were already about 10 months old. So ive never seen it with new bulbs yet. Also i ordered them from aquacave and they just came in plain white boxes.. The paper inside says phoenix but thats about it.... Hmmm

[motorslave]

Getting rid of the existing HA is a good way to export some Po4. Lights can help the algae along as Amy said but it eats Po4 so its in the tank. It could be that the Po4 is accumulating over time and starting to show in the form of the HA. Do you blst the rock off regularly? This helps get a great deal of junk out of the tank and helps to prevent the buildup of Po4 in the rock.

[aquawolf]

Did you put the Phoenix bulb in yet? Mine just came today, for my 50 gallon frag tank, and it was in a white box as well. I can tell you that I really like the color of this bulb and am very pleased with it. I will be posting a picture of the tank with the pendant over it later on in the 50 gallon thread.

[Xler8n]

Yea i put the bulbs in. Im not sure if i like it yet. Its really blue. I guess i just have to get used to it since i had the other bulbs for sooo long. I really like how it makes the greens, blues and reds pop though. By the way aquawolf i saw how your superman is taking over. Wanna frag me some of that tyree?? hehe

[aquawolf]

I just posted a picture in the 54 gallon thread of the tank with the new 250 watt Phoenix 14K over it. I like it a lot.

I also updated the Superman vs Sunset thread with some new pictures. It is easy to see my plan for getting some frags off of it.

[Xler8n]

Well let me know. Id love a frag of the "REAL" superman

[aquawolf]

I will keep you posted.