Green Hair Algae

[EricL]

I have a Green hair algae problem on all rocks of my tank and on my zoos. I don't know where the phosphates are coming from. I only have 2 fish and allot of coral. My lfs advised to vodka dose everyday. I started that on Friday. Could my phosphates be coming from old ro/di filters? I just ordered them yesterday so they will be replaced. I have 50 Gallon hex with a 400 w mh.

 

[melosu58]

Check out this checklist on nuisance algea

FantasyReef Databases-Viewing item "10 Step Plan for Nuisance Algae Control"

 

[EricL]

Will my corals suffer if i turn the light off for a week?

 

[melosu58]

Depends on what`s in the tank. I would think maybe 4-5 days. Some ways phosphates can get in the tank is your old filters and RO membrane. Could also come from your food. If it was me I would cut back on feeding to every other day or even every three days. I would run your lights only 3-4 hours a day. Remember it did not start over nite and it wont go away over nite. One more thing I would do is frequent PWC`s and when you draw the water out try to siphon as much algea out as you can.

 

[EricL]

What do you know about vodka dosing?

 

[mrg02d]

What do you know about vodka dosing?

Its what I do when Ive had a rough day...Seems to help as I sit down, dose some vodka, then get to work cleaning algae from the tank.
Matt

 

[melosu58]

What do you know about vodka dosing?

Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com

 

[cmor1701d]

I've been using NP-Biopellets for over a month. It's a form of solid vodka dosing. My nitrates have dropped to the 2 range from 50+, but my phosphates have not really dropped much yet.

My water is crystal clear (after glass scraping during pwc last weekend).

I plan on adding GFO this weekend.

 

[Jimbo7]

How long can you run those Biopellets before replacing them? They are really expensive.

 

[stegm1sc]

Seahares knock out algae REALLY fast.

 

[Jimbo7]

Seahares knock out algae REALLY fast.

Yea, but then they usually starve and die. They need a ton of algae to live. They are nice if you can get them on loan from your LFS. I wonder if they would eat something like this:
Amazon.com: Instant Ocean Seaweed Grazing Block - Herbivore Diet - 36g - 3 pk: Kitchen & Dining

 

[stegm1sc]

yeah we got one basically on loan.. well we paid 12 dollars for him and we returned him 3 weeks later for 6... but he sure did the job!

 

[Jimbo7]

yeah we got one basically on loan.. well we paid 12 dollars for him and we returned him 3 weeks later for 6... but he sure did the job!

If I had that option available to me when I was battling HA, I would have taken it in a heart beat.

 

[cmor1701d]

I've seen the loaning process on some smaller regional forums. Basically a reef club where one person bought it and passes it on (at cost) to the next person needing it.