Green Hair Algae = Phosphates

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Malachi, Dec 16, 2006.

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  1. Malachi

    Malachi Sea Dragon

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    Nov 25, 2003
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    Location:
    Erie, PA,Pennsylvania
    I don't have a phosphate kit, hopefully get one this weekend. Does any thing else feed hair algae besides phosphates? If i get phosphate at 0, will the hair die or could there be another source to the problem? Lights are new, only have (2) MH 150W DE.
     
    Malachi, Dec 16, 2006
    Malachi, Dec 16, 2006
    #1

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  2. 3D-Reef

    3D-Reef Plankton

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2006
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    HA,can be controlled by lowering phosphates to (I think it's) ~0.012 ppm.The only thing is,that a lot of hobby kits won't read at those levels.I use a salifert kit and I've read where Lammotte and hatch are good kits as well.
    What kind of phosphate export are you using?....skimmer..cheato...water changes...ect?
     
    3D-Reef, Dec 16, 2006
    3D-Reef, Dec 16, 2006
    #2
  3. mattgeezer

    mattgeezer Montipora Capricornis

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    i used phosphate sponge which is a ceramic medium that i put i a ladys stocking and put it in water flow within 24hrs i noticed results after a week the hair algae was gone... brings levels down to less than 0.05ppm
     
    mattgeezer, Dec 16, 2006
    mattgeezer, Dec 16, 2006
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. Pro

    Pro Astrea Snail

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    Pro, Dec 16, 2006
    Pro, Dec 16, 2006
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. mattgeezer

    mattgeezer Montipora Capricornis

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    mattgeezer, Dec 17, 2006
    mattgeezer, Dec 17, 2006
    #5
  6. SAW39

    SAW39 Ritteri Anemone

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    Nov 6, 2005
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    Location:
    Northern Virginia
    I'm so disgusted with my GHA problem, that I was considering tossing in the towel on the whole saltwater tank.
    But, I'm going to follow the advice: get new bulbs (mine are about 1 year old), get a phosphate sponge, and clean out the skimmer, powerheads, and the filter. I already use RO/DI water and have a Tang and three big turbo snails.
    Then, we'll see...
     
    SAW39, Dec 22, 2006
    SAW39, Dec 22, 2006
    #6

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  7. bouraganes

    bouraganes Peppermint Shrimp

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2005
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    Had some green hair algae once but my Yellow Tang devoured it!
     
    bouraganes, Dec 23, 2006
    bouraganes, Dec 23, 2006
    #7
  8. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Its far more to this problem other then PO4's Improper Dkh and Ca. Along with low O'2 and to warm of temp and lack of flows and lamps in the to cool K levels from age and over feeding with meaty products and Iodine and other elements Nitrates also are place to look.
    Yes it could be many many other things besides PO4's in the water . Silicates or NO'3 or magnesium in the make .. It could be one or a combination of any of these along with many other things I have not mentioned . But to just foucus in on PO4's as the problem is like not seeing the forest because the tree in the way. Look at some of these areas and let us know what you get as readings or problems..
     
    Tangster, Dec 23, 2006
    Tangster, Dec 23, 2006
    #8
  9. Snafu

    Snafu Astrea Snail

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    Oct 20, 2006
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    Location:
    Madison, Wisc.
    Hi

    I had hair algae real bad. I used a product call Weiss Algae Remover.
    It does'nt get ried of it, but it seems to stop the spread of it so you can clean
    up your tank. Mine has not come back, so far.
     
    Snafu, Dec 27, 2006
    Snafu, Dec 27, 2006
    #9
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  10. Blade_Runner

    Blade_Runner Gigas Clam

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    Carpentersville, IL
    I'd treat it the same way as I would a Cyno outbreak.
     
    Blade_Runner, Dec 28, 2006
    Blade_Runner, Dec 28, 2006
    #10