Help! SW, hair algae bloom... mixed inputs    5/9/11
Hi,
<Hello John>
First let me apologize for the long email, but I think I may have a big problem.
I have a 54 gallon corner tank as my main tank with live rock, some mushrooms, toadstool leather, Zoas, some other soft corals that popped up and 2 percula clowns, 1 green chromis, and 1 black neon goby that flows into a half full 29 gallon tank through a filter sock with a poly filter and Purigen bag with baffles where the water is forced under grating up through the Fiji sand into the area with Chaeto, and mangroves and then over the second baffle where a pump brings the water down to a 15 gallon extra high about half full with water and live rock and sand substrate that finally pumps back into the main tank.
A while back I was having trouble with hair algae and high nitrates.
First, I changed my crushed coral substrate to live sand because people told me that crushed coral can harbor waste which may have raised the nitrates.
<Can be>
I also added wave maker pumps that move the water to get rid of any "dead spots". After about a year or so of not a lot of luck I did a 1/4 - 1/3 tank water change, moved some of the live rock around to allow more water flow, replaced my protein skimmer because my old one didn't seem to work that well anymore, and bought a new halide bulb because I heard they should be changed every year.
<Mmm, was this new one "phased in" over time?>
I also added the bio kit reef glass tubes which includes:
Biodigest, Bioptim, Reef Booster, Iodi+ et Stronti and also put "Two Little Fishies" NPX Bioplastics Nitrate & Phosphate Reducing Polymer Media - 200ml in my poly reactor.
<This may have disturbed your stinging-celled life...>
Now at first everything seemed to be running normally, I was getting the normal amount of coralline algae growing all over the place and spending my usual time and muscle power scraping it off the glass. All of a sudden, I started getting green hair algae in the spots where the water was being pushed by the wave pumps and then what looked like other types of hair algae in other spots. I had a Medusa coral that now seems to be dead (really skinny and hair algae all over it). At first I thought it was the new bulb because I went from a 15k to a 20k which was a lot more blue, so I bought another bulb at 15k and replaced the 20k. Now, I have hair algae all over the place and bubble algae in other places and my soft corals are all shrinking, including my green mushrooms which were about 3 - 4 inches in diameter and now shrunk to about an inch. I tested the water with my Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master salt test kit and the ammonia was fine, the phosphates read zero,
<Being taken up by the algae>
the nitrates seemed actually lower than it had been in the past, but still a little high (around 10 ppm), and the PH seemed a little low (around 7.9 - 8.0), so I put some reef buffer
<In your new/make-up water, NOT directly into the tank I hope/trust>
to bring the PH up.
I know the nitrates are high,
<Mmm, not really>
but I've never had a problem like this even when it was closer to 20ppm. I've been using trace elements like KORALvit Combi about every other day and Amino-Life a couple of times a week with success, but now it seems to be doing nothing. I've used Marine S.A.T. in the past with luck and started using it again to try to get rid of the algae, but I don't know what else I can do. I'm afraid my corals are all going to whither and die. Also, my mangroves seem to not be doing as well (2 died and the others are starting to lose leaves). I feed the fish some sinking pellets every other day, and only what they will usually eat in a feeding and keep the light on the main tank about 8 hours a day and over the plants at least 10 hours a day. I also seem to have lost most, if not all of the hermit crabs I've had for years.
I think that's all the info I have, please help me!
Thanks.
John
<There's just so much going on here, w/ all these additives, changes to the system... I would "punt"... i.e. do some large scale water changes... 30-40% three times, every three days, vacuuming the substrate one side, then the other... get rid or turn off the Li'l Fishies product, and feed very lightly for a few weeks. IF your livestock shows extreme signs of distress, I'd be adding a couple of units of high grade carbon product (e.g. Chemi-Pure) and Polyfilter in the filter flow path. Don't worry or do anything to the green algae for now. Bob Fenner>

Your thoughts please, power washing   3/27/11
Wet Web Media/Bob Fenner:
<Howsit?>
FYI. I have discovered what I believe to be a novel approach to control of hair algae and other undesirables. For about two years now, I have been removing all my live rock (300+ lbs.) from my 210 gal. almost reef tank and pressure washing it with saltwater.
<Whoa!>
It removes everything except coralline algae and well fastened Halimeda (sp?) algae. The coraline algae seems to thrive after the cleaning. Since I live on a saltwater bay, it works out good for my situation and it only needs to be done about every six months. I still keep my water parameters good, Do not know how long the pressure washer will last, but so far, no problems.
<Run some fresh through it, assuredly, after each marine use>
I also pressure washed an aquarium I take care of for a museum using the old water prior to changing (used a sump pump in the aquarium). This seems to have potential, and I would like Mr. Fenner's thoughts. Thanks for the good job you do. Jim in Florida
<Thank you for sharing Jim. I have a friend of the same name (Jim Stime, of Aquarium Fish Guy video fame) who tried to power wash an artificial coral construct in a tank, but underwater! It didn't work out quite as well.
Cheers! Bob Fenner>

Algae, Hair, SW, reading  12/15/10
Wetmedia,
<Close enough>
I have a 3mo old 175g salt water display w/40g sump/refugium and 280lbs LR.
<Mmm, like to state that though three mo.s may seem a good period of time, your system is not really "that" established>
I run a Reef Dynamics INS 250 skimmer in the sump and Chaeto in the refugium. I circulate 18x the total water per hr. I run a small amount of Phosguard and charcoal that I change regularly. I use a AquaticLife T5 HO (High Output) light fixture with 10ea- 420/460 nm (8 blue & 2 purple), 2ea 10,000K, and 6 - lunar LED lights. I have numerous snails, crabs
<Mmm, keep your eyes on these>
and a Coral Banded Shrimp
<And this>
whom I suspect recently ate two Lettuce Nudibranch (your thoughts on that).
<Likely so; or the decapods>
Recently I added a couple clowns, Goby's and one Lawnmower Blenny. All water parameters are good.
All that said, my question is that I battle what I think is extremely fast growing hair algae which grows only on the top rocks. These are long single strands with a air bubble attached to the end that float vertically.
These strands grow 2+ inches or more a day and can quickly reach 6-8" long.
None of my snails, crabs or fish seem to eat it.
<Some types/species are unpalatable to many erstwhile predators>
I had hopes the Blenny would but he stays near the lower height rock. I must vacuum it up every other day - lot's of work.
What is this, and do you recommend and animals or fish to combat it?
Thanks,
Les
<Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FilamGrnAlgC2.htm
and the linked files above, where you lead yourself. Bob Fenner>

Question about Algae 10/4/10 HELLO again everyone! <Hi Maria, Misty here> I just wanted to see if you guys can identify these types of algae in my SW tank. <Looks like hair algae in these photos.> Just curious to know what they are and if I need to get rid of some or none <Yes, I'd get rid of this. Grows aggressively in the tank, becomes a pest/plague easily That being said, please tell me more about your tank (how long has it been up, bulbs recently changed, inhabitants - fish, inverts including corals, recent parameters, other recent changes, and do you have a sump/fuge?). And read here (as well as related articles): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algcontbrf.htm> They don't seem to be bothering anything in my tank at the moment. <Can quickly start to take over, but several natural ways to control growth...very common problem.> Also they mostly grow on the top of the rock not they sides at all most likely due to the light placement Thanks! Let me know if you need more pic got plenty. <Cheers, Misty> Maria

Re: Question about Algae, Grn Hair, contr.  -- 10/4/10 Hey misty! <Hello again :)> It's a six gal Nano tank been up for two months have live sand with live rock to start up not sure what strength the lights are it came with the system as well as the filter which is built in. I have one tomato clown, one firefish, one scissors tail Dartfish, one zebra barred Dartfish <OY, these fish all do better in a tank at least 30 gallons in size> , two cleaner shrimp, two emerald crabs, two turbo snails, three Margarita snails and three mushroom corals...just got the crabs and snails to help control the algae prob. <on the right track with the crabs and snails to help with natural algae control. Since you don't have a sump or refugium, I'd recommend a one-gallon water change at least once a week, making sure that the new saltwater matches the parameters of what's in the tank. With such a small water volume, nutrient export by way of 10-15% frequent water changes will be absolutely necessary for the health of the system/inhabitants. DO also look at some smaller fish choices, as all of your current inhabitants need a larger tank...and I suspect that the tomato clown (one of the "meaner" species) will become aggressive in such a small space...will likely be an issue among the Dartfish/firefish as well. There are some really cute options for Nano tanks, such as the clown gobies, see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/gobiodon.htm and DEFINITELY read this: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nanoreefsysart.htm Six gallons is really small...I'd stick with no more than one or two very small fish. I've often thought of adding a Nano tank to my household specifically to keep a cute little clown goby - they are big on personality. I think I smell a larger tank in your future ;)> <Cheers, Misty> Maria

Green Hair Algae Not Responding To Treatment Attempts/Algae Control 8/18/10
Hello crew.
<Hello Kelly>
I still consider myself a newbie and I'm running into a recurring problem:
Green Hair Algae. I'm new, but I've been aggressive about educating myself but now I'm just stumped and my patience is close to breaking.
The background and specs:
- 75 gals, set up for seven months
- CPR CY194 wet/dry, sans wet/dry media - basically just a 25g sump for the skimmer
<What is your water flow rate?>
- 10g refugium with macroalgae ( primarily Chaeto)
- 350W T5's - half actinic, half 10k's (new)
<Reduce the actinic lighting to 1/2 of what you presently have and replace with 10-12K lamps. Actinic lighting tends to promote nuisance algae growth, and you will be benefiting your corals with more photosynthetically useful light. Actinic lighting does little for coral growth.>
- 80lbs of LR from an established tank
- 40lbs LS, 40lbs "dead" aragonite sand
- 2 small percs w/ gbta, 3 small Chromis, yellow watchmen, 2 pistol shrimp, 3 clown gobies, assorted cleanup crew of snails/hermits
- ... and recently added: 6 large turbo snails and a sea hare.... getting FAT, I'm sure, on all that hair algae.
- Large leather tree, yellow scroll, frog spawn, green star polyps,
- frozen Mysis fed once daily, a bit under 1/2 cube.
On the recommendation of my LFS (and despite my skepticism), I initially filled the tank with tap water run through a carbon canister. Let that run in the tank by itself for a couple weeks before I added the live rock and sand. I recognize this initial use of tap water as the likely problem so I have been doing weekly water changes of ~25g for awhile now. Sometimes I'll throw in a bonus water change mid-week, ~10g (I realize that probably doesn't do much but it makes me feel better to do something). While cycling the tank and also a couple other times between now and then I've ran the sump with phosphate sponges in a media bag.
<Would be better to use a product such as RowaPhos.>
That's where I am today and I've got green hair growing like there is no tomorrow. I even have green hair growing on the Chaeto!
pH 8.6 (I know that's a touch high)
Am/ite/ate 0/0/0
salinity 1.024
phosphate 0
My at-home kit has been testing these levels for awhile. Feeling that
*surely
*something had to be higher than my kit was reading (or that I was testing incorrectly) I brought some water in to be tested at the LFS. They found the same results. This is so frustrating because if it had tested positive for anything at all I would know what to do next. But I'm stumped.
Everything I have learned about green hair tells me that phosphates and nitrates are the culprits, of which I *apparently* have none.
<Problem with phosphates is that they are quickly absorbed by the algae, thus the "0" reading.>
All livestock, including the anemone, are healthy and happy. Corals or open and have great polyp extension, the nem has been growing and become more and more beautiful since we purchased it. If water quality readings were being falsely read I would expect to see distress.
I've added the Turbos and sea hare but that is just a Band-Aid...
<Correctly stated.>
I want to get to the source of the problem. I'll continue my water changes. What else can I do? What else can I look in to?
<You didn't mention what type of skimmer you have and/or how often it is cleaned.
A quality skimmer sized correctly for your tank is a big plus. The use of Chemipure or a good grade of activated carbon will also help removed dissolved nutrients from your system.
Lets start by reading here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
Help!
<On it's way. James (Salty Dog)>
Kelly 

Severe Hair Algae Problem... Do and read over   7/23/10
Hello All,
<Brian>
I am having a significant hair algae problem, I have searched for the answer on this and many other resources and I have tried many solutions but still I have a problem.
<This tells me nothing re what you've actually done>
First some info on my tank, I have a 115 gallon mixed reef tank, I run 4 power heads in the tank, an Aqua C protein skimmer, a Phosban phosphate reactor
<Why?>
and bio balls in my sump.
<Again, why?>
I run 2 12K halides (these are old and
probably need to be changed) and a set of 50/50's that are relatively new.
I do not have a refugium at this point.
<You'd be better off with...>
I have had this tank for about 2 years now.
<Have you replaced, replenished any of the live rock as of yet?>
I am also making my water with a 6 stage ro/di system.
After testing my tank I have the following results:
Magnesium - 1250
Silica - .2
PH - 8.2
KH - 8
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
<"Corals" need some/measurable amount of both HPO4 and NO3>
Calcium - 480
<Too high, and disproportionate w/ [Mg]>
Iodate/Iodine - 0
In addition, I have had a little problem regulating my temp on the really hot days, normally my tank is between 76/78 deg but on the hot days it is getting up to 80/82.
<This should be okay>
I began to see the hair algae problem a couple of months ago. It started with green algae on the glass that was hard to remove and hair algae on the rocks. I began to attempt to clean it up by picking it off and suctioning it out and doing weekly water changes. In the meantime I went to the LFS and they told me first to put a sea hare in the tank
<... what/which species? Many sold are cold water animals... that won't live in tropical settings. See WWM re>
which lived about 2 weeks and died. Went back to LFS and they sold me bio available Carbon Source and Complete Bioculture to does <dose?> the tank with, trued <tried?> that for a couple of weeks and the problem didn't lessen in fact it probably got worse.
Finally, I tore down the whole tank last weekend, scrubbed the rock, changed the substrate, did a 25 gallon water change and put it all back together. Today, 4 days after the big clean I am beginning to see the start of green
algae growth on the glass and hair algae on the rocks. Help!!! I am not sure what to do now. I am wondering if my RO/DI system is not good, I just got it around January and it is brand new but I bought it online and not sure how good it is.
<What does the water test like, tap and after going through it?>
I am worried about the silica that may be present in it and I am thinking about having it tested at a specialty filtration
shop.
My other concern is the lighting, I am going to purchase some new halides but again not sure if that could be causing this issue. Please let me know if you have any insight as to what I need to do to resolve this problem.
Thanks,
Brian
<Let's have you start again. Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FilamentousGrnAlgC.htm
and the linked files in the series (above). Read over also the issues I notice (use the search tool on WWM). Bob Fenner>

Re: Nuisance algae question, SW   4/28/10
Thought you might be interested in how this nuisance algae problem has developed after 3 months, or at least the information might be good for your archives.
<Okay>
After further frustration, my LFS owner recommended a product called Algaefix.
<... the active ingredient is gone over and over on WWM... toxic outright... and the use, even further toxic>
I was reluctant to use a chemical solution, but it did work.
Unlike ethanol, it did not kill the algae. after a few weeks, the apparently healthy hair algae peeled off the rock with ease. A little elbow grease was necessary to get the rest out with a brush, but my aquarium is now basically free of hair algae. There were a few side effects: it killed one particular species of Zoanthid entirely, as well as my Anthelia. All other Zoanthids, corals, and clams were and are fine, as are my fish. So there's that.
What I did learn in this process is that the hair algae was 100% associated with detritus.
<Mmm, maybe these are positively correlated... but not necessarily... i.e. both can exist w/o the other. Conditions that allow/engender detrital accumulation DO encourage algal growth>
Where detritus collected, the algae grew. With my skimmer and running Rowaphos, my nitrate and phosphate levels were completely undetectable. However, I assume there was a lot of both locked up in the detritus that settled on the rock.
<Likely so>
I placed another Tunze stream (Nano) in the lower back corner to blow water through the rock structure. A also
began using filter socks again (rotated out every 3-4 days) on the overflow to my sump, immediately before the skimmer. And I regularly blow detritus off the rock with a turkey baster. This combination seems to do the
trick.
<Good>
I thought I had enough flow with the original Tunze Stream and wavebox but, in retrospect, I think the flaw is the rock structure. If I could go back and do it again, I would build some PVC shelves to elevate the rock and
improve flow.
<Easily enough done with your next re-model!>
Ed
<Thank you for sharing Ed. BobF>

Algae... SW... no reading    4/28/10
Hi
<Hi Jim>
I have had a bad algae bloom for 3 months now. I clean the rocks do water changes and within a week to two I have long hair green algae.
<Mmm>
I have snails I even got a big slug to eat it. (He died within a week, ate <sic> to much J)
It's 75 gallons- Protein skimmer, under tank sump filter, Power heads and Reef lighting.
<Not enough info here, but.. have you perused our FAQ's on this? All the methods for control are gone over and
over.. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm>
Live Rock one anemone a clown fish and one goby.
What can I do it's starting to get really frustrating.
<Agreed. Maybe one of the smaller-growing Rabbitfish might help here.. an S. doliatus perhaps..http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/fish/index.php..
assuming of course you have tries all other avenues first...>
Jim
<Simon>

High pH And Tons Of Hair Algae/Lacking Useful Info 4/18/10
Hey guys and gals,
<Dan>
I have a ton of hair algae and a reoccurring pH spike issue. Most of my 5yr old, 90 gallon tank is wrecked but one scooter and blood red shrimp continue to fight on. I also have a huge frog spawn (which is hiding and 1/2 dead)
and a giant anemone which used to have 2 breeding orange skunks who were killed by whatever is causing my pH spike. (I assume). I have been using Instant Ocean and doing very frequent water changes. Every time I did a water change, it seemed to shock the anemone. I've changed out the metal halides and my RO/DI filters. I dont know what else to do!
I have a well established 90 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump/refugium.
The refugium has a DSB and Caulerpa. The pH seems to spike from 8 to 9. I add white vinegar to bring it back down but in a week or less, it's back to 9.0.
I want to get rid of the hair algae and pH issue! HELP!
<Dan, what is your dKH? High dKH levels can cause high pH readings. Have you compared your pH reading with that of another test kit. Is possible your test kit may be giving you a higher reading than what the actual condition is.
As to the algae problem, what are your nitrate and phosphate levels? What additives are you using, and the frequency of dosing each. I need you to draw me a better picture than what you stated above. Do get back with me. James (Salty Dog)>
Dan

Green hair algae question   2/28/10
Hi there!
<Uhh, where's the prev. corr.? We can't tell whom you've been corr. with or what you're referring to>
Thanks for answer a while back on my striped mushroom. The little one is growing very nicely. About half the size of a dime now.
I have a new question though. When I set up my tank in October I started having green algae on one of my rocks. My LFS told me to leave it and that I would get something to eat it once it was established. Well I got red &
blue leg hermit crabs, a lawnmower blenny and two emerald crabs. None of these are interested at all in this algae.
<There are MANY unpalatable types>
So my question is...if I flip the rock over and the algae dies from lack of light will it pollute the water?
<Mmm, might>
This way I can keep up with new growth on the other side of the rock instead of letting it grow too heavy like it is now.
Thanks in advance!
April
<... Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files... Bob Fenner>

algae, contr., SW    2/26/10
<Hi Dean>
I have an ongoing problem I hope you can help me with.
<I'll try>
I have a 125G salt tank with about 100 pounds of live rock and 8-10 fish. I have been battling hair algae for about 3 of the 6 months this tank has been set up.
<Look to your stocking/ feeding>
I bought a Aquaripure nitrate removing filter a couple weeks ago and currently waiting on that to establish.
<This is a denitrator. Be aware that these are difficult to run without an ORP computer>
My filtration is a Marineland Tidepool with the single large BioWheel.
<An integrated sump. Does the wheel trap debris?>
Should I remove it, and if so how?
<With the amount of live rock you have you could probably safely remove this, assuming your fishes are not too large. If they are then that is your problem, not the wheel>.
Is this wheel causing my algae breakout?
<Probably not>
My nitrates read 0 but could be a false reading if algae is consuming it all.
<I have to ask -- if your nitrates are so low why have you added a denitrator? All life needs some NO3 and you will deprive your system of it with this>
I feed sparingly and remove phosphates.
<How are you removing this, and what are your test results for it?>
Should I remove the wheel? I can't remove it slowly like removing a few bio balls at a time but can maybe stop it from spinning then remove later. I have done all the tricks for the hair algae there is but I'm convinced it's this wheel.
<You could try removing it, but I doubt if this is THE answer. Combating algae problems is best done by 'attacking from all fronts'. Have you read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm. Maybe try a refugium set up to out-compete the algae>
Thanks
<Cheers, Simon>

26/02/10 Re: Hair algae
<Hello Dean>
Thanks for your response.
<No problem>
As for fish, I have a Yellow Tang, 2 Brown Tangs
<Are these Ctenochaetus? What species?>
, 3-4 Damsels, a Lawnmower Blenny
<I would be surprised if this is getting along with your Brown Tangs>, Scooter Blenny, Copperband Butterfly.
<This is overstocked with three Tangs, depending on what they are and how big depends on how much overstocked. Please capitalise these names in future correspondence Dean if you could>
I am feeding dry algae sheets every other day,
<How much? Are these eaten immediately or do you leave them in the tank?>
frozen brine once a day that I rinse in RO water, and sometimes shrimp that is also rinsed in RO water.
<Ok>
I run the Aquaripure because I was told you do not want any nitrates in a tank, and I do not know what a ORP computer is.
<Mmm, you do need 'some' NO3, these units can efficiently remove all, to the detriment of the system. They should only be employed when nitrates are high, and yours are not. An ORP computer is a computer that measures/ adjusts the Oxidation Reduction Potential inside the denitrator. This turns the pump/ flow on and off when required. Without this, you will find you are constantly fiddling around with drip/ flow rates etc. Also there are some bad H2S smells that can come out of these units because they are operating in anoxic conditions. The computer prevents this.>
I doubt the BioWheel is trapping much debris <Me neither> but I have removed it and in its place I added live rock rubble.
<Mmm, may be counterproductive here>
Other than the fish I have 3-4 Mushrooms, a Leather, Zoanthids and polyps. Also one Anemone. Could it be my feeding and if so, how much would you feed and what?
<Posted>
The algae really took off when I installed a new MH light with fluorescents. Also I am looking into a refugium set up now.
<This will help, benefit>
Bought some macro for the tank.
<Yes, this is a good weapon>
Thanks Dean
<No problem Dean. You really need to attack this from all directions, and your main weapon is good old fashioned elbow grease. Removing algae, water changes etc. Grow some competing macroalgaes, reduce numbers of fishes, maybe look to using some GFO in a reactor to limit PO4, aggressive skimming. There are many other small things you can do, learn about by reading. Spend some time trawling through the FAQ's here on WWM, there are MANY such. These problems are difficult but also beatable. Simon.>

At my wits end - Hair Algae and Aiptasia   1/18/10
Hi WetWeb, <Hi Matthew> I'm a little stuck and hoping you might have some advice. <I'll do my best> 400L - 2 Clown<s> + Bubble anemone, 2 Blue Tang <s> <Which 'blue'? Not enough space here for two, I'd reduce this to one>, 1 Rabbit fish, 1 Hawk fish, 1 Bi-colour Lawnmower Blenny <Please capitalise names of fishes and invertebrates Matthew, I've had to go through and correct all of these>,1 very large Brittle Star - and a darn 'clicking' Mantis Shrimp <Mmm>. I fed my fish a mussel which was fine but unfortunately left the mussel shell in the tank for a few days before removal <Should not cause a problem in a 'balanced' system>. I also added "live" sand to my tank.....not the best start. I have a feeling the live sand has just polluted my tank. *grumble* <shouldn't unless it was very dirty>
Since then I have green hair algae and Aiptasia growing through my tank.(I think it came from the mussel) <not likely>. So here's what I have tried:
Checked the water - all fine except phosphates showed a medium reading <and is probably the root of your cause>. Minimised bright lighting to 3 hours a day and kept the blinds down <For how long? Your anemone NEEDS this light, and you have stated that you have high phosphates, so the light is not the issue>. I performed some large water changes (using filtered seawater only) <Is this real seawater? If so, how is it filtered? Have you tested this water for nitrate and phosphate?> and swapped out my filter medium <I would probably have removed this completely - what filter medium and where is it kept?>
I minimised the amount of food entering the tank (I feed them only frozen brine cubes <not nutritious, try Mysis> and dried seaweed <ok>)
I now only feed them spectrum(dry food) <Is a good food> with a little brine once a week. Added a weed to my sump with a light to try and absorb additional phosphates.
<Good move as competition for nutrients is required in any battle with algae> Introduced 3 Peppermint Shrimp -but I think my Hawk fish ate these <or the mantis - and these are not really effective Aiptasia eaters>. Added 2 large blue star fish - They move around the tank and look happy enough but little dent in the algae
Added 2 Rhombus snails - Which are munching but are barley having a noticeable impact. Added two additional lawn mower blennies.<two? These are very territorial>.
one <One> fell victim to the Mantis Shrimp I think <Just as likely to have fallen victim to the other blenny. Did you research these animals before adding them?>. the <The> other isn't making much of an impact although is growing.
Added a large and active abalone....it seemed ok for a while then it shrank and died. Starvation perhaps? <hmmm, too much going on here to tell. Have you looked here? http://www.wetwebmedia.com/abalones.htm >. Weird with all the algae about.
Still not much progress - So moving the rocks I pulled a little of the algae off and manually killed many of the aphasia <Aiptasia> as I could <full stop here?>
A little better but then growth returned...as I type this I have just removed 90% of the sand in my tank leaving only a dusting to cover the glass bottom as I figured the live sand must be the culprit. <No, an unbalanced system is what you have, with nutrients as the root cause, and it seems that you are trying to add a host of creatures to control this without fixing the underlying problem. All these creatures are doing is adding to the bioload, you are treating the symptom here and not the cause. Herbivores are all well and good, but they must be utilised as part of a well thought out plan and not relied upon for algae control>.
So what to do next? <I would start by removing one of the 'Blue' (Paracanthurus?) Tangs, and keep plugging away with the maintenance/ water changes. Grow the algae (Chaeto?) on a reverse-lit photoperiod to out-compete the pest elements. Maybe try some Iron based media in a reactor until your phosphate tests 0.003ppm. Test your source water. There are many other approaches and you need to formulate a plan, see here and the related FAQ's: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm.>
I read that perhaps I could introduce certain crabs but reading WWM, I hear Bob is usually not pro-crabs in the tank and besides, I am guessing my 'clicking' Mantis shrimp will likely take them out (Had 6 black crabs (live rock hitch hikers) in the tank previously which are now all gone) <Don't add anything else at all, least of all crabs>
So my next steps might be...dispatch the shrimp, add some crabs and cross what I can !! <No> I have attached a photo showing algae and one or two cheeky aptasias <Aiptasias>. I was hoping that perhaps you have some additional ideas on things I haven't thought of. <I have posted some here but there are many other things that you can do> (Perhaps a small muzzle for my Hawk fish so I can add more peppermint shrimp?) <Matthew, I have spent a long time correcting this post with punctuation and capitals/ spelling, there are so many errors that I don't even think I've got them all, and I do not now have time to go back through. You will get a better and speedier response if you follow the directions here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wwmadminsubwebindex/question_page.htm > Regards -- M Matthew Stedman <Simon>

Green Haired Algae   1/16/10
Hi Folks <Hi Brian> This is my first time visiting your site, as you were recommended by a friend <welcome to WWM!>. I have a problem with green haired algae <as do many>. I kinda let my 90 Gal marine tank go as far as maintenance goes as I got very busy (I know no excuse) anyway I have been battling green haired algae for 6 weeks now & am not making much progress <Can be a long-term struggle>.My system 90 gal, 20 gal sump, 130 lbs live rock, 2" live sand bed, no coral but would like to start, in sump aqua medic protein skimmer <the make I use - efficient and reliable>. I was using Instant Ocean Salt but started using Red Sea Coral Pro as I heard that Instant Ocean was not really a good salt <Mmmm> & that Red Sea is naturally harvested and a much better salt <sounds like a marketing ploy to me, although this is a good salt>, started Red Sea 6 weeks ago hoping that a better salt would help to get rid of the algae <not likely>, I pulled all the rock out and brushed every piece in the water I took out for changes <labour intensive, but ok>. I am doing 20% water change weekly, (I prepare my water 48hrs ahead with air line, heater & powerhead for circulation) I also have 4 #3 Hydor power heads in my tank. All my levels are right on the money including my phosphate <but one persons 'right on the money' might not be someone else's - what are the actual numbers please?>, I vacuum the sand as well to get out the algae <? the algae is on the sand? Is this BGA (Cyano?) or hair algae as stated? I would only vacuum Cyano off the sand, otherwise if there is not a major nutrient issue (as you seem to indicate)then I would question the act of sand vacuuming, depending on grain size and depth>. I have a 48" Current 6 tube Light Fixture 3 white's 3 blues running 10 hrs a day <This is a T5 fixture I am guessing, but I don't think excessive light is the issue here> Have scrubbed the rock twice now in 6 weeks and the algae keeps coming back <yes>. It's improved a lot in 6 weeks but still growing <keep pushing on, this is war!>, I'm not over feeding once a day <ok>. 3 tangs <3 tangs in a 90? What tangs and what size? Your tank is not suitable for 3 tangs> -2 clowns-clean up crew-cleaner shrimp <ok>. Do you have any suggestions how I can get rid of this pesky algae <a few, yes>, are there any additives that you know of THAT WORK! or am I doing something wrong. <No such thing as additives that work I'm afraid. There are no easy or 'quick' fixes here. 1) You have not stated your actual levels, so I will assume from your post they are low. This means that you are in a 'war of attrition' with this algae and that you need to keep pulling it out and keep doing the water changes etc. Try using a turkey baster on your live rock where the algae is growing to blow the detritus out of the rock there. 2) You state that you had not maintained this tank for a while, so now you are left with this problem. That is part of the issue. 3) Your tank is overstocked with three tangs. If it were me, mine, I would be looking at replacing two of the tangs (the two largest growers whichever they are) with one of the smaller-growing Rabbitfishes (Such as an S. Doliatus) to reduce the load on the tank and introduce a real algae eater that might actually tackle this stuff head on. If you do this don't forget to quarantine! In the meantime please read here and get some other opinions on what is a very common nutrient-related problem: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm >Thanks <no worries> Brian <Simon>

Green/Hair alg. control, SW 1/4/2010
Hello. Love the site... look it over all the time and you've helped me a couple of times, thanks. Have a question that I couldn't quite find the answer to. I went away for 6 weeks and had my daughter take care if my two tanks... a 46 gallon and a 72 gallon. She had taken care of them before and did fine with them. The 72 gallon was fine but this time, I came home to find the 46 gallon over taken with green hair algae which I have been trying to get a hold of for 5 months now with water changes and manually taking it out all of the time. It is all over the place. I have only had that tank for 2 years and the other for 1 but have had much success with them other than this. They are full of coral and some fish and the parameters have always been right on. I use r/o water and I hope my question is easy...
can I do a 50% water change a week to knock it out without making my tank cycle again or mess the parameters up?
<Likely so>
I hope that this will help me as I am battling way too hard.
Thanks in advance.
Tammy
<Best to take ones time here. Green/Hair algae is not "that" toxic...
Perhaps review other general strategies for control:
http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files above... A refugium... competing macro-algal culture there... on a RDP light period, a DSB... predation... Bob Fenner>

Re: 46 gallon over taken with green hair algae    1/16/10
Sorry it took me so long for my reply, had knee surgery and just got back on my computer... another thing to help me battle this. Thank you so much for the information... I will look all this over.
<Real good>
I do have a small refugium hooked up on the back. I ordered some extra red legged and blue legged hermits, some Mexican Turbos which have already started helping, and bought a Rabbitfish which I don't know will help but I liked. Hopefully with these, the water changes, the extra reading will help me win the battle.
Thanks again!
Tammy
<Welcome, and speedy recovery! BobF>

Hair Algae 12/30/09
Crew:
<Tim>
I had a bad hair algae problem develop. Nothing really became a problem until I left on vacation for 10 days. I tried to measure out food for my tank sitter,
<Good idea>
but I must have measured (way!) too much. I've been reading as much as I can on this site for help to get the rather extreme problem under control, with some success. About five days ago, the green hair completely crashed. Basically all of the green hair is now gray and dead or dying. My skimmate has turned a nasty green color.
I've been trying to siphon out all of the dead and dying green hair.
This sudden crash has caused some havoc with my system. Most noticeably, my ph has been in a constant free fall for several days. 
<Keep changing water...>
I write to discuss whether my current course of action is appropriate to resolution of the problem. I've been siphoning out as much as possible.
The siphoning includes an approximately 10% water change. I've done this twice in the five days. However, other than replacing the carbon, I don't really have any other strategy for restoring order. Any thoughts?
<All sorts... you might want to, even need to resort to pH buffer/ing... but w/o actual values, I would just keep siphoning. Have you read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FilamentousGrnAlgC.htm
and the linked files above in the series? On WWM re Alkalinity/reserve? Bob Fenner>
Timothy J. Hoppa
Re: Hair Algae 12/30/09
Bob:
<Tim>
Thanks for your reply. I can't express how useful WWM has been in my short reef career. I've read all the FAQs on Green Hair, and I attribute this reading to the death of the green hair algae.
Unfortunately for me, it all died at basically the same time.
<Such crashes can be big trouble as we both know>
I've also read the articles on alkalinity and my confusion on this topic prompted my original email. I've been using a variety of techniques for maintaining and/or increasing ph during this rough period.
Specifically, I've moved a powerhead output closer to the surface to increase agitation, I've added Sodium Carbonate (self-cooked) and used Mr. Calfo's Kalk slurry.
<Mmm, I'd either just use a good (manufacturer's) product here or simple sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) additions likely>
I use a SeaChem alkalinity test kit. Today it read 3 mEq/l, which is down quite a bit (looking at my heater, I feel pretty certain as to where it went). To increase my ph, I added about a teaspoon of sodium carbonate to my 90 gal. tank.
As you can see on the attached, ph has been in an ok-ish range during the last two days. However, during the daylight hours, it's on a steady decline, losing ~.1 every couple hours. I would have expected something different.
<Again... just the bicarb... or the commercial prep.>
This is why I've turned to water changes (when all else fails...).
Seems to be working. Any reason to adopt a different course?
<Mmm, no, not really... What you are doing presently will very likely work out long term. BobF>