Hair Algae Control
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This is a guide on tackling Derbesia sp, or as its more commonly known, Hair Algae. At some point in time, almost all marine aquarium hobbyists have had to deal with green hair algae problems.

You'll maybe see a few strands on your rock in the beginning. And then a few weeks later you have hair algae growing everywhere. You'll see it on your live rock, substrate, tank glass and power heads, just everywhere.

Hair Algae is a nightmare than too many hobbyists can attest too. Manual removal seems utterly useless as it will just keep coming back eventually. Since many of us have successfully rid our aquariums from hair algae, it stands to reason that there are definite methods to destroying them.

The source of the problem inevitably starts at nutrient levels. Elevated nutrient levels can greatly accelerate their spread in your aquarium. They can also produce energy from light as they are photosynthetic, and most tanks have lights.

Nitrates and phosphates are the two key nutrients that affect the growth of hair algae. These nutrients can come from a number of different sources. The water that you use, fish food and fish waste. To overcome hair algae, both nitrates and phosphates must be reduced drastically.

What kind of water are you using for your aquarium? Tap water has both of nitrates and phosphates, in an effort to lower these two you should start using RO/DI water. Next, cut down on the amount of fish food given to your livestock daily. Clean the entire aquarium, remove any fish waste, uneaten food and detritus. Remove and clean all your in-water equipment like your pumps and your protein skimmer.

Next, you have to rapidly remove as much phosphates and nitrates in your tank. A 30% water change will remove 30% nitrates so calculate the amount of nitrates present and go from there. To quickly lower your phosphate levels you need some phosphate removal media like Phosban, Rowaphos and Phosguard.

There are some invertebrates that will help you in your quest. Some fishes (mainly herbivores) and invertabrates like turbo snails and green emerald crabs are good candidates.

Aquarium lighting can contribute to the hair algae problem as well. If they are too old they may be changing in spectrum. Green hair algae thrives in the red spectrum,if your bulbs are old yo may need to replace them.

There are some products on the market that will accelerate the algae removal process. But they are not a long-term solution to the problem. Because you have to address how you got a hair algae outbreak in the first place. Which leads us back to nutrients again.

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