Hair Algae in Nano Reef Tank

[matrixnyc]

I have some hair algae starting to grow on the back wall of my nano-reef tank. I need to knwo the following:

1) Is it bad to keep it growing? I have heard that it grows out of control.

2) Is there anyway to get rid of it? Or do i just have to manually remove it

3) I have heard that hair algae is caused by high nitrates, but when I test nitrates the are within normal levels, are there other cause for hair algae.

It isnt that bad right now, just in one small area about 3-4 inch patch, but dont want to wake up one day and have it all over my tank :)

[rocket_155]

hi ok

1)Green hair algea can and usually does grow out of control.
2)You will more then likely have to remove it yourself it your cleanup crew dosn't take care of it.
3)Hair algea is not usually caused by nitrates so i have no idea where you got that from. It is most commonly caused by high phostphates in the water.

HTH :D

[Pineapple House]

1. This depends. Some people enjoy the look of hair algae growing on the back glass, it might give the tank a nice background, while other people cannot stand the stuff. But for the most part, I would consider it a pest. I've seen some aweful pictures of what can happen when hair algae gets out of control...

2. When you have this in abundance, you need snails. Turbos, Astreas, Margaritas, etc. They love this stuff (But please note that not all snails will do for this species of algae!) One of the best ways of removel, it by picking it up by hand. But try to make sure you dont leave any setting on top of the water. Water changes with RO water will also help in the mean time.

3. If you have high phosphates and some high nitrates, likely you would be getting some hair algae.

PH =)

[matrixnyc]

It doesnt look bad now, but i am afraid that i will wake up one day and it will be all over I will keep and eye on it and see how it goes.

For now, it looks kinda cool on the back of the tank, and i just hope it does not spread the the side and front glass.

I will also be adding more of a clean up crew next week to the tank, so they may like it and eat it all up :)

[HoopsGuru]

Could be bryopsis as well, a picture would help.

Either form can and will take in excess nutrients including phosphates, nitrates, etc. You probably have a reading of 0 because the algae is using the nitrates right away....its not that you don't have any. I would use a turkey baster to loosen it and then siphon out as much as possible.

If it is bryopsis, it can be even more of a pain.

[killroysrevenge]

You will have more problems with algae in a small tank. There is more room for error. Hair algae is caused by high phosphates and nitrate. I suspect that your alkalinity is low. If you raise your alk. it will help to evaporate the phosphate out of the mix. Also you will need a clean up crew, and you will need to pull it out manually. If you get a phosphate sponge it will help considerably. If you dont do water changes phosphate will add up in your tank reguardless of what kind of water you use. Virtually every thing that is alive gives off a certain amount of phosphate. Even your activated carbon unless it states otherwise. :o

[HoopsGuru]

Your tank is still fairly new, algae blooms such as hair algae, cyanobacteria, and diatoms will occur until your tank has matured a bit more. Having a small tank is really a non-factor in it all right now. I would still test for phophates and nitrates just in case it is your source water, but would buy no special products right now.

[matrixnyc]

Here is a photo of the algae I am talking about, maybe it will help with the discussion.

[Zack]

have you tested your phosphates lately?

[matrixnyc]

My snails have finally got around to the patch of hair algae :)

I think it will be ok.

Is algae good or bad? or are there good types of algae and bad types of algae?

[Pineapple House]

I would have t say not all algae is bad; really none is bad, only what it could do to your tank if left un checked. Cyano bacteria is considered a pest, as well as some species of hair algae, blue green algae, brown algae, and so on. It's really all on your preferences, and how bad the situation is. Some even consider coralline algae bad.

PH =)

[killroysrevenge]

Algae is good because it uses up nitrate and other waste products, but it is bad because it is un-sightly to most. Alot of people put some sort of algae in their sumps for the reason of nitrates.

[matrixnyc]

Cool, just hear some horror stories that people have algae all over and cant get rid of it :(

I was just worried because i have a nano, and i know things in a nano have a greater effect on such a small scale.

[Brad]

I had better luck when I started dosing Kaulkwasser