Will it spread if I mess with it?

Booboo33062 · 03-20-2006, 10:38 PM

I now have the beginnings of long hair algae. I wanted to know if I used a tooth brush in the tank and scrubbed it will it spread. I know I need to get some more snails, and possibly crabs. I only have two turbos now. I have 8 hermit crabs, 3 red legs and 5 blue legs. I've been reading on how to get rid of it, but any pointers will be appreciated. I did my test today.

Phosphates-------0
Calcium---------520
Alkalinity-------214.8
pH-------8.1
Amonia------0
Nitrite------0
Nitrate-----15
SG--------1.025
Temp----78

Casey · 03-20-2006, 10:44 PM

Yes it will get it out.

ChrisPrusha · 03-20-2006, 10:44 PM

Can you take the rock out and brush it?

sherm827 · 03-20-2006, 10:48 PM

I had this problem and added an algae blenny and an arrow crab, they had me cleaned up in a week, no chems and a lot of fun to watch them mow the lawn!

Booboo33062 · 03-20-2006, 10:55 PM

I could take it out but it is at the bottom of my rock pile. I really don't want to. Is a watchman goby the same?

dobejazz · 03-20-2006, 11:05 PM

Algae Blennie is a Lawnmower blennie I think not the same as a Yellow watchman

Booboo33062 · 03-20-2006, 11:08 PM

I also have some on my overflows so it isn't JUST the rock. I am going to get me a Pink spotted goby, and a watchman goby in a couple weeks. I guess I could get a lawn mower blenny too or get him instead of one of the gobies.

mtfatwork · 03-20-2006, 11:22 PM

Get a tuxedo urchin, they work awsome, just make sure any and all corals are secured in their spots. Otherwise, I dont know how big your tank is but my tank loves hair algae!

nu2reef-n · 03-20-2006, 11:23 PM

Add a blenny and an emerald crab.

Claeth · 03-20-2006, 11:58 PM

Ok, the first thing you need to do is figure out what is causing the algae to grow in the first place. Obviously, filamentous algaes feed on phosphateand nitrate in your water, so the first step will be to figure out what is causing the phosphate/nitrate levels to rise (ie. leftover food, excess fish waste, lights on too long, inadequate filtration, etc.) most likely it is a combination of all of these. Next thing to do will be to solve the problem your tank has (cut back on food, upgrade filtration (skimmer), water changes, etc.) after achieving a zero or near zero P04 level, then work on the existing algae that is in the tank. without phosphate or nitrate, the growth of the algae will be stunted quite dramatically, and this also makes it harder for the algae to spread. Don't be afraid to be invasive in your cleanings, unless you have corals growing on the rock that the algae are on. I find that using a toothbrush works great, as long as you dont use it in the main tank. use your old water after doing a water change and scrub that stuff 'till you can't see any of it, also making sure to rinse it all off of the rock before placing it back in the tank. Once it is all gone, and PO4/N03 levels are regulated, any existing algae should be starved out or removed by your cleaning crew. And finally, the prevention step will ensure that you never have this problem again. I can tell by your perameters that things are off quite a bit. Your calcium and alkalinity levels are far from optimal levels. Calcium levels should be around 450ppm, any higher (or lower)and they have a tendency to lower/raise your Alkalinity out of a balanced level. keeping your Alkalinity high is of utmost importance in the battle against unwanted algaes, in the fact that it promotes calcerous algae such as corallines, which when conditions are right, starve out unwanted algaes by removing P04 at amazing speed. To help keep your alkalinity levels up, use an alkalinity buffer like Seachems reef builder on a regular basis, along with kents essential elements, and your alkalinity levels should stay within the wanted perameters. Also remember, "dilution is the solution to the polution!" keep up with your water changes (also vacuuming out detritus) to keep nitrate and P04 levels in check, and you will have a beautiful, algae free tank in no time. Another thing that will help is added water flow, add a powerhead and aim it at the spots where detrius builds up, keeping them in suspension long enough for the filter to pull them out. Hope this helps, Lee Van Hoose Owner-Pristine Aquatics

Loverotties · 03-21-2006, 12:08 AM

Yes grab it.

Doug1 · 03-21-2006, 12:22 AM

Pretty much what Claeth said, you arent seeing Phosphate levels but you nitrates are high and you have hair algae, so you have phosphates that are locked up in algae cells, chances are you nitrates are really potentially higher.

watch imports, crank up exports and try to get a handle on the problem, even if it means changing water frequently and removing pieces of rock and scrubbing the hell out of them and swishing them in clean SW before puttin it back

Geoff · 03-21-2006, 09:37 AM

are you vacuuming out detritus during water changes? can you get behind all of your aquascaping?

along with what Claeth said.

G~

Wiskey · 03-21-2006, 10:11 AM

I agree with Claeth, you need to find out what is causing it. Blasting off all your LR with a powerhead before your water change helps a lot too, you would not beleave how much deatris that rock can store.

Whiskey

johnny505 · 03-21-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I agree with Claeth, you need to find out what is causing it. Blasting off all your LR with a powerhead before your water change helps a lot too, you would not beleave how much deatris that rock can store.

Whiskey

ur tellin me!!! I did a water change friday and sucked it off the rocks. sunday I did another water change and it was back!!! CRAZY!!