Algae on rocks.... help

[nicholas_yeo]

Hi all

My nano tank is overrun what it appears to be red and green hair algae. Its growing over all the rocks.... Trying to get rid of it for wks.... . I use a overhang filter with alot of phoshate guard...but no luck so far

Anyone know if this alage is good or got any solution to get rid of it.

nick

[blueheaven]

Although phosphate is a fuel for algae, but I reckon that other nutrients are in high levels in your tank. You can try to reduce the bioload and feed lesser. And you can also get snails (personally don't like them though) or any bristletooth tang to eat them all up.

[kareen]

generally speaking, unsighty algae is not good...... but from your picture, quite nice leh. If it is under control (not spreading like wild fire), let it be. If u find it an eye sore, then get a tang like what blue heaven say to get rid loh.

[Ekia]

I personally got this problem as well.. Green Hair Algae!! spreading slowly.... My NO3 is at 2ppm, PO4 at near 0. Got Kole Tang, Salfin Tang and Atlantic Blue Tang + Algae Blenny, hermit crabs... yet my green hair algae is spreading... anyone can help explain why? I also dunno what to do now..

[blueheaven]

its probably the algae has developed into a biomat and become more depndant on light than nutrients, maybe try reducing your lighting period?

[Ekia]

its probably the algae has developed into a biomat and become more depndant on light than nutrients, maybe try reducing your lighting period?

thanks... i shall try yr recommedation... shall reduce from 8hrs to 6hrs...

[nim75sg]

In order to get rid of Green Hair Algae, we have to starve it by not providing the nutrients (nitrates & phosphates) and also the amount of lighting period plays a part. These are the attributes which Green Hair Algae need to survive in the tank.

In this case, I think your phosphates level is above 0.5mg/L which is considered to be the lowest point at which Green Hair Algae will grow.

What you need is a low-range Test Kit (I am using this) for Phospate and Nitrate otherwise you get the impression that PO4 at zero and NO3 at 2 ppm are safe levels.

Low range means:

1) Testing Phosphates in the 0.0 to 1.0 mg/L range

2) Testing Nitrates in the 0.0 to 1.0 mg/L range

The most common problem for reefers is doing partial water change on a regular basis whether weekly or fortnightly. But by doing this it is contributing phosphates which aids the growth of hair algae unless the source is from RO or RO/DI water.

In short, by reducing the amount of Phosphates & Nitrates, your tank will be free of Green Hair Algae.

[weileong]

Some salts also contains PO4. So the type of salt you use also plays a part.

Dipping your hands into the tank will leaches PO4 into the tank so wash it really well before putting your hands in.

[giantbicycle]

Dipping your hands into the tank will leaches PO4 into the tank so wash it really well before putting your hands in.

wow...first time heard of it

[weileong]

First time you heard of PO4 leaching from the substrate and LR?

You can do water change yet the PO4 will not seems to go low? Because they keep leaching from the LR and substrate so it will take sometime before you can get rid of these algae.