Brown Hair Algae

BaxterS80 · 09-09-2007, 06:28 PM

Ok, the 72 has been up for 2 months now and I am having a brown hair algae problem. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0,Nirates 0, Phosphate 0, Calcium 420, Alk 11, ph 8.4, salinity 1.026.

I have just begun to use Seachem SeaGel and a UV sterilizer. What type of luck have you had with either of these products.

mattgeezer · 09-10-2007, 05:15 AM

get rid of the uv sterilizer as they kill the baddies ,they also kill some goodies

ive never used seachem seagel . Maybe also make sure you aint over feeding as algae grows well with excess nutrients in the water and light!!
thats a well stocked tank for 2months old any pics mate!!

Linda · 09-10-2007, 08:58 AM

I just had a small bout with hair algea in my button polyps. Removed as much as I could with a toothbrush - poor polyps hated it! Tangster suggested that I provide more water flow, which I did. It's been about 2 weeks and it seems to be gone! Good luck!

BaxterS80 · 09-10-2007, 10:14 AM

Linda I did pick up an extra powerhead as I thought that might help. I already have two running but a third I think will help.

Just running the UV sterilizer for a bit will not run it indefinitely.

I am also thinking it might be a function of the time the tank has been up.

I also think the skimmer(Coralife 125) that I was running, which never pulled much skimmate, might have contributed to the problem. Installed a Euro Reef last week.

Just tested all parameters and they still sit at zero for Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, and Phosphates...420 Calcium 12 Alk

Linda · 09-10-2007, 10:39 AM

I was lucky - just a little bit to contend with. I don't think the BP like it much, though.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff216/ReeferLinda/ButtonPolyp-Hair.jpg

BaxterS80 · 09-10-2007, 12:12 PM

Linda,
Thank you for the photo. Fortunately the algae is not growing near any of the corals...

RHorton · 09-10-2007, 01:38 PM

I run a uv all the time without ill effects. most of the good bacteria is in your substrate and filter, I've had the same problem and once I started to use a uv and it cleared up.I would do a search on uv because there is a huge thread dedicated to this topic.Some people swear by them some people hate em.

BaxterS80 · 09-10-2007, 04:17 PM

Thank you for your comments. I talked to many people about a sterilizer before installing one. Most have told me the same thing, that it cleared up their algae problems. It also is beneficial for the introduction of new fish to the tank.

09-09-2007, 06:28 PM	#1
BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 51 Posts: 1,422 Skin: Mint Karma: 58441	Brown Hair Algae Ok, the 72 has been up for 2 months now and I am having a brown hair algae problem. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0,Nirates 0, Phosphate 0, Calcium 420, Alk 11, ph 8.4, salinity 1.026. I have just begun to use Seachem SeaGel and a UV sterilizer. What type of luck have you had with either of these products.

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09-10-2007, 05:15 AM	#2
mattgeezer Montipora Capricornis Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 1,024 Skin: Mint Karma: 2741	get rid of the uv sterilizer as they kill the baddies ,they also kill some goodies ive never used seachem seagel . Maybe also make sure you aint over feeding as algae grows well with excess nutrients in the water and light!! thats a well stocked tank for 2months old any pics mate!!

09-10-2007, 08:58 AM	#3
Linda Feather Duster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 231 Skin: Mint Karma: 205	I just had a small bout with hair algea in my button polyps. Removed as much as I could with a toothbrush - poor polyps hated it! Tangster suggested that I provide more water flow, which I did. It's been about 2 weeks and it seems to be gone! Good luck!

09-10-2007, 10:14 AM	#4
BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 51 Posts: 1,422 Skin: Mint Karma: 58441	Linda I did pick up an extra powerhead as I thought that might help. I already have two running but a third I think will help. Just running the UV sterilizer for a bit will not run it indefinitely. I am also thinking it might be a function of the time the tank has been up. I also think the skimmer(Coralife 125) that I was running, which never pulled much skimmate, might have contributed to the problem. Installed a Euro Reef last week. Just tested all parameters and they still sit at zero for Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, and Phosphates...420 Calcium 12 Alk

09-10-2007, 10:39 AM	#5
Linda Feather Duster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 231 Skin: Mint Karma: 205	I was lucky - just a little bit to contend with. I don't think the BP like it much, though.

09-10-2007, 12:12 PM	#6
BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 51 Posts: 1,422 Skin: Mint Karma: 58441	Linda, Thank you for the photo. Fortunately the algae is not growing near any of the corals...

09-10-2007, 01:38 PM	#7
RHorton Fire Goby Join Date: May 2007 Location: Green N.Y. Age: 41 Posts: 1,302 Skin: Classic Karma: 13147	I run a uv all the time without ill effects. most of the good bacteria is in your substrate and filter, I've had the same problem and once I started to use a uv and it cleared up.I would do a search on uv because there is a huge thread dedicated to this topic.Some people swear by them some people hate em.

09-10-2007, 04:17 PM	#8
BaxterS80 Pajama Cardinal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 51 Posts: 1,422 Skin: Mint Karma: 58441	Thank you for your comments. I talked to many people about a sterilizer before installing one. Most have told me the same thing, that it cleared up their algae problems. It also is beneficial for the introduction of new fish to the tank.