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I did get a test kit for phosphates and the level is near zero.

The tang will eat the small new algea, but really wont work on the long stuff that you see.



Dan

Gee, first I can't get rid of the algae, and the solution means I have to keep adding it! Ya gotta love it.

But seriously, I've cut back on giving anything extra to the tang in the hopes that its grazing on the hair algae will pick up. So far though, that doesn't seem to be working. It still nibbles at the live rock, I just don't see any real dent being put into the hair algae by the tang. Maybe I ought to just stop feeding the tank all together and force everything to eat algae or go hungry!

...just kidding

If you get one, make sure you add algae for it to eat. It should tear through the hair algae quickly, and won't feed on anything but algae. It will need some Nori if your not already offering that to your Tang(But you should be added it already)

I had one for a while, and it was doing a good job, but I think I threw it out by accedent when I was cleaning up. Good luck finding one, they are hard to find.



Dan

Thanks for all the input folks. Maybe I'll get out this weekend and try the sea slug.

A algea eating sea slug will do a good job on algea. Here is a link about them. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1904&articleid=2143

Dan

Turbos will not do the hair algea much. And actually the emerald crabs are not good at it either, they prefer the bubble algea. The hermits, tangs (especially the yellow), and the blennys (especially the lawnmower), are the best and better hair algae eaters.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Just check the Turbos frequently as the tend to fall over and become lunch.They don't seem to have the ability to right themselves very easily.

I do have 2 powerheads, and the return flow, but no 3rd under the rock. I was told at the lfs that a couple/three big turbo snails would take care of it in a few weeks, but they didn't have any more in stock. Any of you folks try these. I did pick up another emerald and some red legged hermits.

Patience isn't a problem, I just want to be certain I'm on the right track with handling it. I'm going to give it a good cleaning again tomorrow.

I have 4 emeralds in my 75, and have had them for a few years now. They have never been seen fighting. And they all look different, so I know they are all there when I see them.

As for the algae problem, how much circulation do you have in your tank. Many times the algae will grow where there is a gathering of detrius. And, as the algae will help to gather more, it grows more. In a 75 gallon you should have at least two power heads, besides the return flow from the pump under your tank. And, if possible, one more power head, planted underneath your LR, to keep any extra detrius from building up under there. Be patient, as there really is not quick cure, and it will take time to get the algae back under control. You will probably have to "mow" it yourself, several times as well, to keep it from taking over large areas and thus accumulating more detrius.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Are some species of hermits and other clean up crew memebers better than others at taking care of green hair algae? I am getting a small outbreak and want to get rid of it quickly. Thanks for any input.

Another thing you can do is get a phosphate sponge. I think I paid about $11 for my 125 tank, and it will last for 3 months or so. This will over time remove the food source for the algea.



Dan

Okay, I'm leaving shortly for the store, so I think I'll pick up another dozen hermits and another emerald crab and hope like @!%# they start eating away at this hair algae problem. Pulling it out every four or five days is a pain in the butt. I also think it has covered some of the critters growing on the live rock to the point that they may not return, the critters, that is.

From my experiences in my tank, emeralds don't fight.. I have 3 of them in the 100gal tank.. They pretty much stick to their own particular parts of the rockwork and rarely have I seen them cross paths.. On the occasions that I have seen them get close to each other I've not had trouble with aggression..

Well, I'm not sure if they fight. What I've seen suggested is one Emerald Crab per 25-50 gallons of water. Personally I'd add two at the most.

I only have 1 in my 75.

Thanks. Maybe I'll pick up a dozen or two this weekend and let them have at it for a week or two and see if some of the hair algae starts disappearing. Maybe a second emerald also. The emeralds won't be aggressive at each other will they?

I wouldn't get more than 2 Emerald crabs.

As far as hermits, you can get maybe one for ever 2 gallons of water? That will give you a pretty decent number.

So how many hermits and emeralds would you all recommend for a 75 gallon tank to keep this hair algae under control? Thanks.

Try to remove as much hair algea as you can by hand. The tang and hermits will clean up the new stuff as it grows.



Dan