Hydrogen Peroxide Dip/Bath to exterminate hair algea

[cutebarra77]

Hi reefers,

I know there are a lot online sharing which indicate the success of using hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) dip to get rid of hair algae and harmless to zoas.

Anyone tried the same dip with mushrooms, yumas and rics? any disaster cases where these corals are killed after the dip?

Thanks.

[mjck]

Tried dipping some zoas, super sun... Some not affected ( especially super sun ) while some take a few days to recover. You can also try to use a Syringe to target the affect portions of the rocks so that it doesn't get to the corals. Remember to make the polyps closed before the treatment.! Didn't dare to try it on the sps though.

It's quite effective in killing the hair algea. The algea turns reddish after the treatment and dies.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Issint Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical that we use to bleach hair? 3% 6% 12%??

[cutebarra77]

The one sold at pharma is 3% concentration. Think I will experiment today.

[bezz]

I have been dipping rocks & corals in H2O2 for a while to get rid of algae. It is extremely effective, but you need to dilute the solution to 50% tank water and not dip too long. I've tried all corals and Zoas are the least affected, they reopen immediately after the dip.

A warning, I left some SPS in the solution too long and ended up bleaching them. There is no rule, it depends on the condition of the coral. Some hardy SPS bleach but sensitive ones are okay. If you are worried, don't try this method.

[cutebarra77]

Thanks for the inputs, bezz.

And yes, I mixed 50% H2O2(3% concentration) and 50% tank water. And I dip the zoa with hair algae for 5 mins. Then remove it and dipped into pail of distilled water. the hair algae dropped off seamlessly...super!

The bath:

[cutebarra77]

How come I cannot add photos? Must use picture url?

[RockyBoy]

H2O2 sold in pharmacies here are not food grade type.

They are mixed with stabilizer to prevent the H2O2 from oxidizing.

So try not to bring the solution into the tank. Remove the rock or whatever from the tank, treat it, and washed it.

[bezz]

I got some PMs asking about this method. I want to put a disclaimer here to try this method at your own risk, there is no guarantee that your corals will survive the dip, its your coral and your call.

I would advice to start slow using 30% H2O2 and 70% tank water and dip at most 30-45 secs. This is enough to kill the algae. Most times its not immediate and you have to wait a few days for the algae to turn white and dissolve. Dip it in a bucket of tank water before putting the rock back in tank.

Be warn, all stuff on the rock will be kill also. Pods, coralline algae, bugs, whatever is on the rock will fly out once the rock is in the solution. Before using this method, I never thought how much life a small rock could hold

[inwear]

I worked in a lab,Hydrogen Peroxide is extremely corrosive. Pls wear PPE when handling the chemical. It would be good to read the SDS & GHS label before proceeding

[bezz]

I worked in a lab,Hydrogen Peroxide is extremely corrosive. Pls wear PPE when handling the chemical. It would be good to read the SDS & GHS label before proceeding

The Hydrogen Peroxide we get from pharmacies is only 3% concentration and is intended for use as an antiseptic, so it should be safe to handle with bare hands.

Lab grade chemicals on the other hand is a different ball game altogether...