!#7# Saltwater Aquarium Nightmare - How to Survive a Hair Algae Outbreak

!±8± Saltwater Aquarium Nightmare - How to Survive a Hair Algae Outbreak

Not many problems are even worse, having a saltwater aquarium as a proliferation of algae and hair. As soon as a pillar in the tank, can be a real bear to get rid of. If not managed properly can take months and may be other problems such as loss of precious corals. I am against you, both to prevent and treat the cause.

Survival tips:

1 Get a large cleaning crew - you need help, spend the money and shares the tank with a lot of workersInvertebrates such as snails eat algae, crabs, emerald crabs and sea urchins. After correcting the population of these industrious invertebrates can help hair growth of algae in the first place. Because they are relatively short-lived, these invertebrates must be replaced about twice a year. And if you have an outbreak of filamentous algae, are an absolute must.

2 Raise the pH to 8.4 or 8.5 and keep it there - a higher pH value of preventing an outbreak of filamentous algaenot only stated, and is very useful when you start out and get even bigger.

3 Increase the movement of water in the tank - one of the best conditions for hair growth of algae is a tank with the movement of poor water quality. Strong water movement is one of the most important conditions in a saltwater aquarium health. Keeps organic matter and debris in the water column, where it can be removed from the strainer or skimmer exposed. It helps preventdebris of the new ability to collect on live rock or substrate. Strong movement of water also helps gas carbon dioxide, pH and promotes algae growth is suppressed.

4 Getting your phosphates and nitrates under control - only a few water quality parameters are important, are under the control of an outbreak of filamentous algae such as phosphates and nitrates. These nutrients are mainly fertilizers, fuel, algae hair growth. And if you want to avoid an outbreak of filamentous algae to get rid of, or you may need specialwill need to get under control.

Phosphates should ideally be less than or equal to 0.08 ppm (parts per million). And there are several ways to reduce phosphorus levels.

Using iron oxide chemical filter. The best way is to use this medium in a reactor or filter substrate fluidized bed. There should always be in use to avoid a proliferation of algae and hair, but is crucial if you struggle. Solution dose of lime water (calcium hydroxide) in the night. Lime has a very high pH value of 14,and help to maintain the pH of your aquarium and will fail and phosphates, so that the skimmer can remove it. Increase water changes. If the normal rate of change of water was 25% of the total system volume per month, then I would recommend doubling to 50% per month until the outbreak is under control filamentous algae. Flush frozen foods. If you thaw a frozen commercially prepared foods that are sold for aquarium fish salt water, you will see aSoup of darkness and dirt left behind. This soup is loaded with phosphates, nitrates and other nutrients that algae fuel the growth of hair. I recommended to pour thawed frozen products through a network of security (I use a network of brine shrimp) and then rinse the food with a little water aquarium. This is the removal of nutrients before adding the food for your aquarium Use water "Rhodes". This is short of water after reverse osmosis de-ionization resins has been filtered. This is the safestway to prevent the addition of phosphates and silicates, or other contaminants, to your aquarium. Use activated carbon to remove dissolved organics, which can help fuel hair algae growth

5. Jump in and help out - To help your algae-grazing invertebrates get the hair algae outbreak under control, you will need to help give them a jump start by manually removing as much of the hair algae as possible. This will need to be done at least once a week until the problem is resolved.

6. Make sure your protein skimmer is working at peak efficiency - Given that hair algae thrives on dissolved organics, a properly operating protein skimmer is going to be key to battling a hair algae outbreak. Instead of the once a week cleaning, I would recommend twice a week. Also, make sure that the air intake or venturi on your protein skimmer is not clogged or otherwise restricted.

In the end, the best approach is prevention. It may be a lot of work, but preventative maintenance is the cheapest work, and it is nothing compared to the frustrating struggle of fighting a full blown hair algae outbreak.