Hair Algae Eating Fish
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ChiefnReefer
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How are your phosphate levels looking? Even trace amounts of phosphates can contribute to pesky HA and some macro...
What is your setup? Tangs are usually the big algae fish but seems like that would be too big for you. Mexican turbo snails are my choice.....they are great.
When you said you tried to attack at the source....lights, nutrients? What are your readings? Thought of doing a black out?
When you said you tried to attack at the source....lights, nutrients? What are your readings? Thought of doing a black out?
I don't have a phosphate test, but id imagine that I have a high amount. What I meant by attacking the source is doing frequent water changes, twice a week, with RO/DI water to try to lower phosphates. I was also running skimmerless for a while too. I have a 30 gallon tank so a tang would be out of the question. What I think caused the HA in the first place was that I made a newbie mistake, Iwent away for 2 days and forgot to close the blinds.
What are your nitrates? I would also recommend the phosphate test.....best to know what you're dealing with.
Assuming the "non-closing of the blinds" caused it, you should be able to knock it down with a good algae crew and water changes as you are doing......but yhigh nitrates and phosphates can fuel it for a while if you don't test and address that first. Can you turn your skimmer back on? That will help. Cut back on feedings and lighting schedule if at all possible.
Check out John at http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/saltwater-fish/www.reefcleaners.org ........he is the CUC man and has great stuff. if you email hin with your tank, inhabitanbts and problem, he can recommend a CUC for you. I would suggest staying away from adding another fish to fight the HA.....you're better off fighting it with good water and a lack of nutrients.
Good Luck!
Assuming the "non-closing of the blinds" caused it, you should be able to knock it down with a good algae crew and water changes as you are doing......but yhigh nitrates and phosphates can fuel it for a while if you don't test and address that first. Can you turn your skimmer back on? That will help. Cut back on feedings and lighting schedule if at all possible.
Check out John at http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/saltwater-fish/www.reefcleaners.org ........he is the CUC man and has great stuff. if you email hin with your tank, inhabitanbts and problem, he can recommend a CUC for you. I would suggest staying away from adding another fish to fight the HA.....you're better off fighting it with good water and a lack of nutrients.
Good Luck!
