hair algae

[Oaksy]

does ultra bak and min s help remove hair algae if so how cos ive just set up and i am overcome with hair algae and its an anthias 120 so thats alot of hair algae but really gettin quite p***** off! been dosing since tues. im new to this forum so be nice

[jimdon IOM]

The system combined with the zeolite stones can correctly managed reduce both nitrates and phosphates which is what the hair algae lives on. thats the reason it dies out using this system cos all its food is used up. don't expect instant results though it takes some time, hard to be specific as every system is different. what are your readings for nitrate and phosphate?
if you want to ask more don't be afraid to do so, we all try and help if we can.

[Oaksy]

well to be honest mate havent really looked over the phospahte yet as its only been up and running 2 wks tomoro just been keeping eye on nitrite and trate which is 50 bit high but not checked pphosphate but have had phosguard in sump since started just in case

[Oaksy]

actually just tested levels phosphate is reading 0.25 nitrate 10 any help or advice is appreciated.

[ckrhone]

A Phosphate reading of above 0.03ppm is starting to get a little high in my opinion and you are stating a figure quite a lot higher than that really (over 8 times in fact). I would put some Rowaphos in a canister filter or something to get them down. It is expensive but lasts a while. Use a reliable test kit too for Phosphate, Salifert ideally albeit there are some more expensive/accurate one around tot but I would get some Rowa and take it from there.

Regards,

Chris

[jimdon IOM]

That phosphate level is way way too high, if you can get your LFS to check the reading for you. nitrate at 10 after two weeks is not too bad you can reasonably expect it to go a bit higher as the tank cycles. its fairly normal for a new tank to go through the blooms of various algaes.
If you phosphate reading is really that high you will need to do some frequent water changes to get it down before you can expect to see a reduction in algae growth. don't loose heart it will go it just takes its time and won't go until the water quality is right.
Jim

[Oaksy]

is seachems phosguard ok? my only prob is i couldnt guarentee water passing through it so last night got to little i nternal filled them with it then put them in sump. thanks for your help

[jimdon IOM]

I've no experience of that brand sorry, I use Rowaphos or Ultiphos both available from sponsers on here. someone will have used the seachem one and will give a view.
don't see why it should not be ok though
keep on trying to remove as much hair algae as you can manually, I know its a pain but nearly everyone goes through this as part of a new tank maturing, you will get there.

[Ducati916]

is that you Adrian by chance??


Harry

[jez]

HI
Whats happening here is just normal new tank algae problems. As mentioned here drop the phosphates using a good remover. You will need to change and measure fairly often during the break in phase. Also as you have not a lot fo corals in your tank yet drop the light down to a couple of hours per day, as this is fuelling the growth add in a good handful of super grazers and other assorted munchers.

As for running min and bak keep on adding minimum dose as this will help reduce nitrates and phosphates.

At this point any new tank is nutrient city you just have to make sure you put up a good fight for a couple of weeks :-)

regards jez

[Oaksy]

it certainly is harry