Jestersix

whats the best way to stop hairy algae growth?

I use that common clear flexible tubing to siphon water out for changes. I found that you can pinch the tubing to stop the siphon with one hand and with hand maneuver the tubing over the hair algae, pull it loose with your fingers, then open up the tubing with the other and it sucks it right up. I like this method because I can "graze" along my rock work for 15mins, sucking up just enough water to get my 10% change over and also enough time to really rip on the hair algae.

Cheers,

Josh

PS: If my girlfriend is willing I have control the flow on the siphon, leave two hands free to mix up sand, pull algae and blow debris from the rock to get sucked up.
 
I use Montana's suggestion, if it's real bad I run it into a filter sock in the sump that way you're not doing a 100% water change trying to rid yourself of algae.

Kalk can help the situation IME, it keeps a stable high pH which the algae is not too fond of.
 
As far as my own battle goes;


I yanked out a LOT of it on Saturday, the tank looks much nicer, but it's still there in strands. I'm hoping that my red-legs will munch on it. And I'll continue to pull it out by hand and dose Vodka as well (what the heck).

I decided against the 3 day blackout period as there are a lot of corals that were shaded by the massive algae growth and I think they need some light for recovery.

I did discover that I still had a clump of chaeto in my sump, but it was in the return section of the sump, not the main section where a light is shining (my chaeto went were the light don't shine! :p ) so it's been moved to the refugium section, even if that means I have to sacrafice some of the mushrooms that live there!

Also, I'm now feeding Zoe soaked frozen mysis instead of flake to see if that helps as well.

V
 
[quote author=Vincerama2 link=topic=5013.msg62225#msg62225 date=1225742768]

Also, I'm now feeding Zoe soaked frozen mysis instead of flake to see if that helps as well.

[/quote]

if you really want to cut down on excess nutrients in the system, drop your frozen mysis cube in a cup 1/4 full of tank water. Let it sit for 5mins, stir it gently, and wait a min to let it settle. All the mysis will sink to the bottom, then slowly dump off the excess water. This essentially "rinses" the shrimp, getting rid of any excess waste from packaging/freezing.
 
also, I noticed dramatic improvements in water quality when I had a sand sifter goby, I really think all the sand movement really helps suspend debris for filtration and also improving the sands N cycle capacity, after I lost my sand sifter I've been trying to mimic this by stirring up the sand up or agitating it with the turkey baster ever couple days.
 
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