Hair Algea in tank is killing me.

[Dixit]

Well I had my Live rocks just covered with Hair Algea, about 1" in length of it. So about 3weeks ago I took the advice of my LFS and pulled each rock out, dunked it in a 18gal tube scrubbed the crap out of the rocks with a plastic brush, then rinsed in another 18gal tub. Now I only use RO water as I have a system in my house.

Now after about 3weeks the Hair Algea is back and again growing all over the rocks again, I just dont get it. I spent almost 6hrs cleaning all the rocks the first time and it just comes back almost laughing at me.

Its a 75gal tank with a Rena Filstar XP3 filter with many different filter media, my temp is always around 76-77F. My protien skimmer is always skimming. My 4 fish in there (hippo tang, yellow tang, tomatoe cloe, damsel) are doing just fine, never had a problem. I also got one LT anemone in there as well. My PowerCompact light seems to be fine, no issues there. Replaced the bulbs recently.

There HAS to be some chemical I can put in there to kill it, cause I definetely cannot clean all those rocks again. Please help me with some chemical stuff. This poor person is about to give up and just sell the entire system as Ive had too many trials and tribulations with this tank. BTW theres about 150lbs of Live rock in there. Its been in the tank over 1yr now.

Dixit

[sausageman]

Sorry, I dont have a solution for you, but I am also having the same problem...

Though i just ordered an RO/DI unit, which was delayed with shipping due to the hurricane, so no telling when I'll get it

With the hair algae spreading so much, my corals have no been opening and seem to be very unhappy, and I have no clue on what to do also.

Cleaning it off lasts only for 2-3 days, my yellow tang, doesnt touch it, my lawnmower blenny, .. he likes to lay in it.... asterea snails wont go near it, no hermit crabs will touch it either...

Hopefully there is some answer out there..

Water parameters are all normal.
55gal 440 VHO lights
Phospates not showing up when i test for it..

getting ready to do 20% water changes every 2-3 days once my RO/DI unit arrives.

[superwizbang]

What are your parameters?
How often do you clean/change your filter media?
How long do you keep your lights on during the day?
What other filtration do you have? (Live Rock/Sand Bed/Sump)
What kind of skimmer do you have?
How often do you change your water and what type of water do you use with the water changes?
How much water do you change with each water change?

Think that will about cover all the normal questions I see.

-K

[tims]

well stay away from chemicals...

how often do you feed? somehting is feeding the hair..
go and invest in a few ( say 4-5) mexican turbo snails.. they are rather large and just love a good feast of hiar algae.
the tang should be working on the hiar, if he is not he maybe feed too much flake food.
your testing will be a little off durng this time, because the hair is sucking up the phosphate and nitrates.
what substrate do you have n both of your tanks?

[Mr.Reef]

I would try adding a nice amount of hermits and snails. And do more water changes than you usually do. Have you checked your phosphates? Rowa-Phos works great for phosphates. Or you might have to upgrade your filtration system.

[Twitterbait]

Stop feeding the tangs/blennies. after a few days of not eating they should start going to town. besides... they can last a week with no food. It is imperative that you find the source of the hair though. big things to check are the phosphates, nitrates, and very importand is dissolved solids ( alittle trick i learned) if you have a bunch of the light floaty debris then pull out the vacuum and suck it up. that will help. water changes are great but in the end i wouldn't bother too much until you find the backbone of the issue. you may also want to invest in a more robust skimmer.

[JCox]

Shouldn't he also be checking for any silcates?

[Dixit]

I only feed about once every 3days. Put about a 3/4" square of Mysis frozen shrimp in there.

Dixit

[Loverotties]

you ever test your water after the RO?ussally you also need DI after the RO.

[Dixit]

Sorry failed to mention the system has a DI stage on the RO system. I only use it to fill the tank so I know its not anywhere near where the filter needs to be replaced or the DI balls.

Dixit

[Mr.Reef]

Originally Posted by Dixit

I only feed about once every 3days. Put about a 3/4" square of Mysis frozen shrimp in there.

Dixit

Do you strain the mysis cube from its gel binder before feeding? It would help a little with the phosphates.

[Mr.Reef]

I strain all my frozen stuff before feeding. Except that live Dt's Oyster eggs, because it has no type of binder in it.

[Dixit]

Not sure what you mean by Strain it. I get the Mysis in the flat sheets, I break off about a 3/4" square piece and let it soak in RO water to melt and just dump that into the tank.

Dixit

[motorslave]

How long has the tank been up? What exactly are your methods of filtration as far as media and what is your cleaning schedule like? What type of skimmer? Sounds like your rock is saturated. If one scrubbing wont do it. I would add a bunch of turbo snails as said and al;so follow the feedin suggestions. Dont add any chemicals, this doesnt fix the problem only masks it. Get to the source i.e. whats feeding the alage. Is it on the substrate? Many types of filter media (pads, sponges, biowheels and canisters) just trap the detritus wich continues to leach into the water and decay till you remove it.
How much rock do you have? have you made a habit of blasting it with a turkey baster of Ph to clean it of the normal acumulation of dtritus?

Robert

[Mr.Reef]

After you let it soak in the r/o. I dump it into a brine shrimp net to strain out the binder that holds the mysis together when frozen.