What will eat hair algea

[washowi]

I have an outbreak in my 25 gallon that is out of control. On the rock, walls, coral, I have scraped, pulled and netted till I am exhausted.

Crabs, lawn mower blenny, what? Help!

[MattTVI]

i have the same problem as you... terrible hair out break and no end in site... :-(

My LMB goes to town on it, but even he can't keep up with it...

[Fahz]

The best I have found is a Foxface Lo he eats all kinds of algae. They can grow big 9" so he will not be a forever fish in a small tank. I have three different kinds of Tangs and this guy eats more algae then all three combined. The best thing is he eats Bryopsis algae which other fish won't touch.

Fahz

[bob30329]

Good idea - I was going to buy a LMB for my FOWLR&HA (Fish Only with Live Rock and Hair Algae) tank, but maybe I'll try a Foxface instead.

There's a big LMB in my reef tank who would be in hair algae heaven if I could transfer him, but he won't be persuaded to swim into a net or fish trap.

Sprung's book on Algae says pH over 8.0 helps. anybody had success dosing kalk for HA in a FO tank?

[GLXTRIX]

alright, I have an LMB that just really doesnt work, I think he actually makes the problem worse, he'll eat then spit it out, thus causing more algea. Anyways, algea is a big issue and there are all kinds of ways to fix it, some work for others while the same wont for you or me. One fish that would be great for your tank would be a Rainfordi goby, they will graze on ha really well. I dont have one but from what I've heard they are great, was going to get one, but I'm going BB, so that would be pointless. They only get to be about 2.5" and are peacefull guys. THats my .02 to help out, you can try that and worse case if he doesnt help, return or sell him, people are usually looking for these guys Good luck.

[46bfinga]

my foxface wont touch the stuff.im battling little patches of it in my 120 gal.so im guessing foxfaces are hit and miss.ive been thinking of getting some sea hares but im worried my triggers will go to town.ive heard that the sea hares are herbivorous.they have two at optimum aquarium on sandy plains and shallowford.just a thought

[gwen_o_lyn]

Finding something to eat the algae isn't gonna get your very far... eliminate the phosphates and your algae will go away... Make sure you have a top of the line skimmer running 24/7, use only RODI water, feed every 3 days, and do water changes.... those things there will do more for you in the long run than buying something to eat it... I always keep a heavy stocked cleanup crew from north ga reef (Kevin). I have hermits, ceriths, and astreas.

I haven't seen hair algae in over a year by doing those things I mentioned above

[MattTVI]

Gwen,

I do the above and still have a terrible hair algae problem... :-(

and my bioload is very, very low (2 clowns and an LMB in a 65, w/ 20g sump), I'm worried that my RO/DI unit isn't doing a good job, need to test that water for phos... :-)

Gwen makes a good point, algae ain't the problem, it's just nature's solution to the problem of excess nutrients in the water... :-)

Matt

[gwen_o_lyn]

Matt,

What kinda of skimmer are u using? Are you using any other kind of filtration? What are your nitrates reading?

-gwen

[MattTVI]

skimmer is a won bros 125 @ 500 gph

here are the tank stats...

1.025
ph 8.2
nI 0
nA 0
am 0
78-80 F

i don't have a po4 test kit... It's on my too-buy list... :-)

edit: filtration is via the berlin method... LR and a skimmer

[washowi]

I am running a Bak Pak on my 25G. My RODI is perfect.. Getting 004 out of the unit. Water changes every 2 weeks at like 30%. I don't believe in the 3 day feeding. I feed every day. I have 2 other tanks that have none. My 90 gallon I feed 3 times a day. I am going to check my phosphates but I did last week and not out of line.

Been dosing heavy magnesium per anothers suggestion and threw in some Phosguard as well 2 days ago.

Threw in 3 types of snails a month ago. Blue crabs, emerals crabs. But still have it.

[gwen_o_lyn]

Matt- I've never heard of that skimmer.... do you think it skims well? I have a Euroreef and it skims VERY WELL...

Todd- Feeding everyday will cause hair algae- you skimmer prolly can't keep up with your feedings.... Maybe on your bigger tanks you have a better skimmer?

[MattTVI]

define skims well?!?

[washowi]

I will try but my 12 gallon nano doesn't have it either and I feed everyday there?

[bob30329]

I don't have HA in my reef tank - just the FOWLR.