Anyone know how to do this?

[LINK]

Get hair algee off of my Galaxia. The Galaxia was not doing so well in my 29 Gal, but when I moved it into my 180, it again started to flourish. But on some of my new rock came hair algee which has since spread to the spaces between the extending skeletal outcroppings of the galaxia polyps. Since the tank is new, 3 months, the hair algee has not died out yet. I am removing it as I can, but I don't know how to get it off of the galaxia. It is really starting to do well again. I don't want the algee to smother it, and I can't get it off without potentially hurting the galaxia.

My params are Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, phosphate all 0. Calcium at 350 ppm (trying to raise to about 450), pH is 8.2 alk = 3.6 I have a refugium with macro algee that is growing under 2 x 55W PC (reverse lighting)

I think that if there are any nutrients in the water the Macro will eventually out compete the hair algee etc, but how do I get it off in the mean time?

 

[LINK]

^bump^

 

[Mr Premnas]

Just to keep this close to the top I will respond that I too am interested in this as my entire tank is devoid of hair algae except on one rock where it is growing between anthelia stalks and it is so frustrating trying to get it out knowing that it will return in 1 week.

 

[LINK]

^Anyone??^

 

[davelin315]

Galaxea is very tough and resilient. Just grab the hair algae and pull. Don't scrub it because you might really damage your galaxea, but you can pretty much reach down to the polyps and pull without damaging it. Also, you might want to find a fish to graze the hair algae, or maybe a sally light foot. You should not have too many problems with hair algae if you also have good water parameters, so double check your phosphates.

 

[Mouse]

Get some air line hosing and start a syphon into a bucket from the tank. Once the syphon is started you can move the end of the airline over the galaxia and the water flow should help to lift strands from between the skeletal structures. Once the strands have been taken into the end of the airline you can pinch and pull and on relesing the pinch the hair algie should shoot up the tube into the bucket. I find this method preferable to using hands as the assistance given by the flow of the syphon is of huge benefit.

P.S. i use Rowaphos for phosphate controll but i might add to follow the instructions exactly as these compunds can be very specific in their application t owork effectively.

[ October 12, 2001: Message edited by: Mouse ]