Green clumps of (hair?) Algae

[Trevor Robertson]

Okay I have problem with my tank, about 2-3 weeks ago I had noticed a small clump of algae on the sand of my tank, I did pull it out right away as I should have but a few days later after my wife was telling me it was looking really bad I went in at this time there were now two clumps about 1" big. Well I got most of it but when I was pulling it out with my fingers some small parts got away and they have now started new clumps so I have about 10 clumps of this ugly green algae on the bottom of my tank, I am a bit leary of just grabing it again and gettting 100 clumps and then having the full tank look like crap.

I do some several hermit crabs but no cleaner shrimp and I have 1 tang but nothing wants to eat the stuff.

Looking for suggestions.

Thanks

[martym]

Test the water to find out what is causing the algae, and correct the problem. How long has the tank been set up?

[Son Of Skyline]

I'm having the same problem in a couple spots on my sandbed also. My plan is to increase my cleanup crew (mostly hermits) and start changing 4gal of water every couple days until it hopefully goes away. I'll let u know if it works!

If anybody has any other suggestions we'd love to hear it

[MitchM]

Water changes won't solve nuisance algae problems. The algae is feeding off of excess nutrients in your system - it could be from source water, over feeding, or a buildup of excess nutrients in your system over time.

Have you done any water tests and made sure that you're not over feeding? How old is your set-up?

Mitch

[Trevor Robertson]

I don't think that I am over feeding as everything that I put in the tank is gone in a minute or so.

Everything else in the tank is doing just fine so I don't suspect anything going wrong. But I will do some tests tonight just to check as I will admit I have not done any in a little wile.

The other thing I was wondering about is that another post is talking about some new amonia in our tap water and that is what I use to top up my tank so mabie that is it?

[MitchM]

The excess ammonia and nusiance algae growth shouldn't be related.
You didn't mention how old your system is.
Can you see any buildup of detritus (crud) anywhere?

Mitch

[Trevor Robertson]

sorry my system is about 10 months old, and no I don't see any other 'crud' anyware.

Thanks for the amonia answer though

[MitchM]

I wonder if it is hair algae, then.
Any chance it could be a beneficial macro algae? Can you describe it, or post a pic?

I'm not an R/O expert, but I wonder if ammonia added to the water system could cause a carbon block in a filter to leach PO4... (stab in the dark..lol..)
Post your water tests when you get them, too. (both tank water and source water)

Mitch

[Trevor Robertson]

okay here are two pictures that I took of the green crap.

I also have tested my water today and Amonia is 0, Nitrite is 0, and PH is 8.1

Here are the shots.



I am thinking that I will just try to get as much out with my hands as I can but I am really worried about it spreading even more.

[props]

get yourself a fox face
he/she will chum it down in a few days
=o)