Hair algae in overflow

[PhoenixOne]

I have a AGA 72g bowfront with one built in overflow and I always have a build up of hair algae and other gunk in there. Anyone else experience this and if so what do you do? Leave it? Clean it out? I have no phosphates, nitrates are about 10ppm and one of the 150w HQI's are over the overflow. :scratch:

 

[Wes]

you DO have phosphates...

 

[PhoenixOne]

you DO have phosphates...

*Scratches head*
Uh...ok. I test for phosphates and it comes up 0. Is there something I am missing?

 

[Killerdrgn]

You could try to block out as much light as possible from the overflow, that way you don't see it and the hair algae has no light to grow.

 

[Killerdrgn]

*Scratches head*
Uh...ok. I test for phosphates and it comes up 0. Is there something I am missing?

The hair algae is using it all up, thus it won't be detected by your test kit.

 

[JHOV2324]

Just pull it out of the overflow and throw away......it'll keep growing...the algae feeds off the phosphate and extra nutrients in ur tank...thats why wes says u do have phosphates...the hanna meter seems to be the most accurate tester for phosphates.....if u didnt use that then ur test was inaccurate...

 

[PhoenixOne]

Oh. Ok. I understand now. Hanna test kits huh? As far as the overflow, I guess Im gonna have to figure out how to make some kind of cover to fit ontop of the overflow to block out the light. Its a wonder, that they make test kits out there that dont do what they are suppose to do. Pisses me off. Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Deanos]

the hanna meter seems to be the most accurate tester for phosphates.....if u didnt use that then ur test was inaccurate...

:bigeyes: OMG....you learned something :hug:

 

[PhoenixOne]

Yeah, i did. Most test kits suck and we get hurt in the end.

 

[Awibrandy]

I also get hair algea in the overflows! I just pull it out. I much prefer that it grow in the overflow where it is easily managed, then on my rocks or corals.

 

[Wes]

Yeah, i did. Most test kits suck and we get hurt in the end.

most phosphate test kits are worthless because it's hard to make a $20 test kit that can detect phosphates at low levels. Your test kit most likely works, however it cannot detect low levels.

For example,

You should keep your phosphate levels below 0.04. You can be above that and most of the test kits are going to still show a 0 reading.

The hannah phosphate meter is not cheap but it is one of my best investments.

Hope this helps.

 

[PhoenixOne]

It does. Thanks. I think im going to invest in PH, Nitrate, Calcuim and Phosphate meters cause I need the accuracy and I dont need to spend weeks trying to figure out why am I having algae blooms when my tests show 0. Man, wifey is not gonna like this.:argue:

 

[meschaefer]

It does. Thanks. I think im going to invest in PH, Nitrate, Calcuim and Phosphate meters cause I need the accuracy and I dont need to spend weeks trying to figure out why am I having algae blooms when my tests show 0. Man, wifey is not gonna like this.:argue:

Thumbs up to the PH and Phosphate meters. I have both and love them.

Never used a calcium meter but that is only because my research has led me to believe that they are not that accurate.

Have never used a Nitrate meter, but my research has led me to believe that they are just an unnecessary expense as the standard tests are accurate enough and extremely easy to do.

 

[PhoenixOne]

Ok, we are looking better. Looks like i can knock off those two off the list then. Just wish they weren't so dang expensive.

 

[fritz]

I also get hair algea in the overflows! I just pull it out. I much prefer that it grow in the overflow where it is easily managed, then on my rocks or corals.

Wise!!!
I too let it grow and just scrape it off and chuck it. The overflow can be a great refugium for things like this.

 

[PhoenixOne]

You know what, im gonna leave it in there. When it gets to be too much, im gonna rip some out to keep it under control. This is probably a poor man's version of a refugium!!! LOL. Doesn't get any better than this!!:lol_large

 

[WLDSHARK]

How big is your cleaning crew? You might need to throw in more snails..,.
Also find out what is promoting the algae grow? Over feeding? Not enough skimming? Top off water? Make sure your top off has 0 TDS?

 

[PhoenixOne]

How big is your cleaning crew? You might need to throw in more snails..,.
Also find out what is promoting the algae grow? Over feeding? Not enough skimming? Top off water? Make sure your top off has 0 TDS?

I have 15 hermits, 6 emerald, 50 nassarius, 20 astrea, 5 turbos. I feed every 3 to 4 days. Skimmate is about 1 cup a day. Using Kold Steril II for water source but I dont have a TDS meter.

 

[Bori]

The PO4 meter sounds good. Anyone have a link to the Hanna Phosphate meters? I googled it and didn't get direct hit. Thanks

 

[charile1]

The PO4 meter sounds good. Anyone have a link to the Hanna Phosphate meters? I googled it and didn't get direct hit. Thanks

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4345+15437&pcatid=15437