What's your solution ;)

[Joeganja]

we all have stumbled across many problems and different types of algae. Hair algae being the main one. In the polls choose your preferred method of getting rid of it and if you have any input or advice on a certain problem then comment below. The main idea for this thread is not how to prevent it, but how to get rid of it. Now of course water changes and such help slow it down by removing high nitrates, phosphates and removing high nitrites which is the algaes main source of food but let's focus on how to get rid of it. If anyone has any other ways they've gotten rid of it, comment below and I'll add it to the polls.

 

[Joeganja]

Desjardini tang usually removes my hair algae. Algae blenny, and my Mexican turbo snails.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I voted tang (yellow), but think a one-spot foxface or related species is even better. They can get rid of algae of nearly all types and eat like crazy.

Second best is limiting N, P, or Fe in any of many ways.

Doing all of these I listed together is also a good plan, IMO. :)

 

[Drauka99]

Combination of 3 - Cheato, tang and snails

 

[jsker]

Still working on the same issue, good question.

 

[cilyjr]

I have 3 tangs. Algae blenny many snails and crabs. I run a turf algae scrubber.

My display is clean but my frag tank requires manual removal from time to time. They are hooked together through a common sump. Both have snails. So I suppose (I'm aware this is anicdotal and not scientific proof) I would attribute the clean Dt to the tangs and algae blenny.

 

[Mike in CT]

Taking out rock if possible and spraying with hydrogen peroxide, rinse then back in the tank. Have not lost any Lps or softies nor nems doing this. Then get aggressive with phosphate control before algae can grow back in start sucking it up again. This was the only thing I did that made a major impact, and 2 months later algae on rocks is still less then 10% then it was before treatment.

 

[buckroe07]

Voted hermit crabs but I also use a combination of snails, and light control (time halides, t5s, and leds are on), but didn't see lights and I couldn't select more than one option :)

 

[Maritimer]

DT is currently fallow for another month or so, and has just about every kind of algae out there; cyano in a rainbow of colors, GHA, something brown running up the back wall, Bryopsis, Ulva, coralline - and one or three others.

When the fish return, there're a tailspot and starry blenny in the crew, along with a coral beauty angel - but for now, algae duties are being handled by nerites, Astreas (two varieties), Cerith snails in several models, hermits, a lone emerald and a brace of tuxedo urchins. (They're not really keeping up!) Also adding Kent's "Tech-M" product to battle Bryopsis - a challenge, as my magnesium already tested well over 1600. (Advice would be welcomed!) Chaetomorpha in two satellite refugia pull nutrient from the water, as does GFO in a bag with carbon in the sump.

~Bruce

 

[Bdog4u2]

The best solution is don't let it in your tank. I've had many tanks and the last one I set up besides a little diatom on sand I've had zero algae and it's not from me having perfect water because I don't my nitrates stay between 10-15 I just treat everything I add to get rid of algae. After getting dino in last tank I had enough

 

[Bpb]

I personally have sky high nitrates and phosphates as well as high light. Zero nuisance algae.

The trick: one spot foxface + pincushion urchin. Between those two the rocks stay free of all nuisance algae. The fact that they eat it all up is actually CAUSING the elevated no3 and po4 because there's not enough algae in the tank to reduce it

 

[McMullen]

Best way........has to be manual removal of rock! But that's not always an option.

 

[reefwiser]

I have used everything over the years blue leg hermits are crazy in their ability to eat hair algae. Tangs are so so. As other have said staying on top of the problem by limiting the food source is the best. Have an algae scrubber or cheato and watch how you feed your fish don't over feed.

 

[Anthony kolodziej]

why can't we pick more than 1 lol. Whenever I have something to deal with I put together a good plan and employ at least 3 options at once . Iused to run GFO , Carbon a turf scrubber , and my fuge plus all the snails , fish that could help . Now ...... only the fuge and turn on the scrubber when need be . Starry Blennies also eat GHA like crazy