Hair algae

Out of 4 tanks I've had, I had GHA in 2 after the cycle and not in the other 2.

 

I can only add to the good advice given thus far

If your not running GFO at present, then its a good time to start IMO
along with the cutting down on light and caution in feeding to reduce nutrients as suggested previously

the GFO will help to remove any phosphate in the water that is fueling the algae growth.


Steve

 

I have never run a GFO. Any suggestions or advise?

 

GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide and it is able to absorb phosphates

its best run in a reactor with a slight tumble to stop it packing together
that way all the media is expossed to water
it can be run in a mesh pouch in a cannister - but its not as efficient run this way as it can want to form a solid brick, enabling water easy routes around it

BRS has a bulk pelletised product , and this type is the best type if your running in mesh pouch in cannister as it tends to be more porous and thus does not clog as easily

if you have a reactor, then Rowaphos or Phosban would also be suitable options IMO

if you have never used it before, your corals may find the improving water quality a bit shocking for them
thus use half dose for a couple of weeks before building up to full dose which is approx 1 table spoon of media for every 10 gallons of system water

change frequently at start - maybe weekly for 4 - 6 weeks
once algae issues are dealt with, changed monthly would be OK

But a good sign on when to renew/ change GFO is often the frequency of glass cleaning
if you normally do this once per week, and then in future feel it could do with a 2nd clean , that would be a signal to change the GFO for me

Steve

 

Ok great! Thanks, I am not running any canisters ATM. Is this a requirement? I don't have a reactor eather. I know I'm making this difficult!

 

you dont need to run cannisters IME

If you have a sump - reactors for running carbon and GFO are good things to have if your keeping corals
the carbon helps with clarity and removing possible toxins released by corals either trying to claim or protect territory
and GFO is a useful weapon in the war against algaes


carbon in a mesh pouch could be placed in the sump in an area of high flow
as could GFO
but neither is being used in its most efficient form done this way

Steve

 

Alright I do have a sump with very good flow so that's what I will do untill I get the proper goods. As always thanks Steve!

 

supriesed no one has said this but what about alge fix by api, I use it now and love it might not be but a matiance tool but its cheep and would be a real test

 

well I feel pretty daft now LOL

http://www.3reef.com/forums/algae/algaefix-marine-api-109784.html

although on a new set up, more traditional methods of removal, nutrient reduction
and CUC - often do work to solve the problem

the algae fix marine solution is a good one, I totally agree and in a mature tank whereby other methods have all been utilised and yet there is still an algae issue this product has been working for me also

Steve

 

K+ to all the answers here. I too was forced to use this product in my old nano. My results were remarkable and the best part was there was no noticable signs that it was harming anything but the nuisance algae. It didn't even kill the macro algae I had in there. I would still follow all the previous posts instructions because in reality it is just a band aid and the root cause must be eliminated in order for the problem not to return.8)