how do you get rid of maiden hair

[Silas]

Hi, I have a major maiden hair problem. How do you get rid of this stuff? Someone told me to get a Fox Face and I have done so and without luck. Instead of munching on the weed, it start to clean up my Zos. Anyone wants a Fox Face?

Silas

[Geoff]

i have a fair amount of it in my tank, but it is very slow growing. i really have no idea how to get rid of it. it is such a tough algae. my wife likes the colour it adds. it is really tough to pull off also. do not try a Kole tank, mine does not touch it either. i have heard that some urchins will eat it. i have a common carribean pencil that does not touch it also.

HTH,

G~

[Silas]

I tried to pull them off also, doesn't work as it has a good grip on the LR. Even pull off a chunk of LR with it. The only thing I can do is mow it with a pair of sissor every two weeks or so. I am to a point that I may just have to get rid of the LR but one of them has many mushrooms on it and I hate to dismiss that one. How friendly are urchins to the tank?

s

[dark horge]

Take the rock out, give it a close buzz-cut with scissors, and let an urchin finish it off. If you can do the urchin thing in a separate small tank, so much the better ---there willl be les other fodder to distract the urchin.

[Silas]

that's a great idea.. thanks.

Which kind of urchins and where can I get them?

s

[tdwyatt]

Originally posted by dark horge
Take the rock out, give it a close buzz-cut with scissors, and let an urchin finish it off.

I concur, best remedy, and even then, it may take a few treatments. Removing the affected rock to a separate tank will help, and using kalk paste seems to remove it as well, but don't do it in the same tank the urchin is in.

hth

[scotty]

I think emerald crabs eat maiden hair. Pretty sure of it...

[Silas]

I will get some of those to try too. Thanks

s

[digital_dragon]

I hate to rain on the emerald crab parade but I have 6 in my tank and I have yet to see them eat any of my beatiful maidens hair or my proliferating bubble algea. I am beginning to think that it is a myth. They seem to eat the detritus and crap on the rocks and everything that is not green. Eat your greens or you don't get any puddding

Earl

[Jacy]

What is maiden hair algae? I think it may be what I had destroy my reef tank a few years ago, and caused me to give up on the hobby? A short bush type algae, like tiny shrubs, very tough and almost impossible to even pull off? Like maybe 1/4"?
Todd

[Silas]

Yes, kind of like what you described. The thinkness of the blade is about the same as camel hair. I have some grown to an inch in length. I had try to give it a buzz cut to as close to the LR as I can. If I do that, the base will trun white but will come back in a week or two. After a buzz cut, the LR looks like one of those igia sheep seen on TV.