Trimming Hair Algae

[amc78cj7]

What would you do?

I just noticed a small 2" rock with about 12 zoas on it that has a small patch of hair algae. Would you:

1) Pitch the entire rock, after all it's only $12 worth of Zoas

2) Remove the rock and try to clean off the algae then return to tank

3) Try to clean off the algae in the tank

4) Leave it, the emerald crab is hungry anyway.

[reefsmoker]

I would choose 5) glue a toothbrush to about 3' flex pvc and do the old scrub&siphon technique.

[tubedood]

I had the same issue last week... I just turned off the powerheads and yanked the hair algae off the colony. No probs at all.

[Heliux]

before you toss it ill buy it off ya, but my suggestion is emerald crab yes, and then get one of those metal bristle brushes used to clean grills, wash it REAL WELL AND I MEAN REEEAAALLLL WELL. But ya if you are going to toss it and not worry about it ill take it from ya just PM me.

[chrome91]

i would do #2

[Frankie]

We all do #2 eventually Chrome91
IF your not worried about loosing the life on the rock I would just boil it for a few minutes and put it back. you could try removing the algae but Hair algae is very hard to eliminate. Don't try scrubbing it off. It won't work.
Your other option is to starve it out. Whats the Po4 and Nitrates testing out in your tank?

[Heliux]

hey frankie can you explain your term of starving them? havent heard of that method.

[Frankie]

Most algae need fuel to survive. Nitrates and Po4 are a main source of fuel for hair algae and others. Lighting also. When i see someone having algae issues it is most likely their water quality is not up to par.
It could be many things, Po4 locked in the rocks, a dirty filter pad, BIO BALLS, bad top off water and or salt mixes, even lighting. Bad bulbs will promote certain algae to flourish. Correcting these issues will stop the growth and kill off nuisance algae.

[Frankie]

Here is some good reading for you all.
Nuisance Algae In The Reef Aquarium: Part I - Reef Hobbyist Online Magazine