Hair Algae Removal, the natural way!

[schwaggs]

I have been battling Hair Algae of several varieties for a long time. The problem started when I took several pounds or live rock from a friend that was covered with the stuff. I foolishly thought my system would eradicate it... I was wrong... I can never quite get rid of it but I manage to keep it under control. If I keep the GFO fresh, the HA will not grow but it will not go away.

The best way I have found to make it go away is the Sea Hare. An ugly bugger that loves to munch Hair Algae. It doesn't eat other nuisance algae that I can see but it loves the HA. My system consists of a 210 display, 90 refugium, 70 frag tank and 5 15 gallon holding tanks. I put him in one tank for a week or so and viola, the tank is clean. Once clean, I move him to the next tank to start the process again...

To illustrate this for everyone, I let one 15 gallon holding tank get especially covered in HA. I took some before pictures and a few pictures each day to illustrate his progress... Enjoy...

Day 1
Day 1 after manually removing as much HA as possible
Day 1 after cleaning closeup
Day 2 Closeup
Day 4
Day 7
Day 7 Closeup
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[ripped tide]

He's a good worker!

 

[peachyreef]

Just keep checking on him! If they die they kill everything!! Along as he has food though, he should keep doing an amazing job looks way way way better!

 

[schwaggs]

I have had several over the years, and none have nuked my tank when they died. I believe them nuking your tank to be an overblown risk. Like any relitivly large animal, I could see major problems if one died in small tank.

These are extremely sensitive to changes in salinity and mishandling at the wholesaler or lfs or at your home can do them in. They will be active for a few days after the abuse but die soon after. Only drip acclimate them over several hours, more if your salinity varies more that a point or two. Also, look for active specimens that have been at you lfs for a week or more.

 

[jef4y]

If I could get one that would eat my short red fuzzy algae I'd be all over it!