hair algae remedy?

[Rick C]

I've got some growing and would like to get rid of it. I threw in an emerald crab but he doesn't seem to be doing his job. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Reef55]

Eliminate the source of the algae (nutrients), instead of treating the symptom (eating the algae once it is there).

What are your nitrates / phosphates / bioload?

 

[S Hunter]

Agreed with Reef55

 

[Rockym]

I also agree with nutrient control/elimination (not always the easiest thing to do short term). That said, I would pull it by hand before it gets out of control. I know it sucks, but you can pull it much more reliably than anything will eat it. Good luck.

 

[tone2607]

just use some NAIR lol j/k

 

[Jocko]

I investigated this for a while to no avail. During a period of very long work weeks, I neglected the tank and didn't feed it very often (every other day at most). The fish were fine, but eventually I realized the hair algae was completely gone.

 

[jrmx635]

crab

sally lightfoot

 

[Bobbofin]

I defeated hair algae and won! It took six months of patience. I bought a PhosBan reactor, used only RO water, easy on the feeding, did weekly water changes, bought tons of hermits and snails. There is only a couple of tufts on the substrate that I'll get out at the next water change. I have won but only by nutrient reduction and slowly starving it to death.

 

[Rick C]

Cool thanks everyone. I gotta get a new test kit today. I'm gonna get it under controll. Maybe i should try the nair, lol Tone.

 

[JayM]

A good sized chaeto-filled refugium helps too.....

 

[Bobbofin]

Got some chaeto to give away, trimming time, lots of pods

 

[joe healey]

not sure if this will help but i have (had) been battling hair algae for about 7-8 months, using rodi water and all parameters appeard to be good. the only difference i had done since prior to the outbreak when i had no hair algae was change carbon brand. i bought a bulk quanity of carbon off e-bay and started using it and the algae appeared and would not go away. several weeks back someone here pointed out that some carbons will release phosphates into water. so looking at the container it was not listing the ingrediants of the carbon. so did a good water change and bought some reef ready carbon at the lfs and within 2 weeks i have virtually NO hair algae. not sure if this is the cure, but i feel bad about all the cleanup crews i have enlisted and nothing worked, except my pepermint and hermits were fed handsomly with very expensive escargo (sic). anyway carbon seemed to have taken care of it for me, FINALLY! now the tank is a pleasure to look at again. by the way i run the carbon in a reactor 24/7

 

[SteveDola]

ive done the same thing. bought bulk carbon a while back and paid the price. figured it out after reading articles on RC about 7 mths ago. Went out and bought esv carbon and did some water changes. HA is under control. alittle here and there in the fuge but none in the display.

 

[Bobbofin]

I use SeaChem SeaGel. I run through my Phosban reactor 24/7 of 30 days at 50gph then change it. Works great, algae all gone. Get a couple of tuft on the substrate that are easily sucked up but other than that, tank is spotless.