To control the macro-algae,

1) reduce or eliminate feeding to get rid of phosphates (having the eel
makes this tricky).
2) change any old flourescent lamps that shifted to the red spectrum over
time, or minimize the lighting period for a while.
3) crank up the protein skimmer to export phosphates and organics.
4) add "good" kinds of macro-algae to the tank to compete with the hair
algae for nutrients.
5) physically pull out as much as possible of the hair algae with tweezers.

the most effective - give away all the fish and eliminate feedings entirely
for a while.

People will often recommend blue legged hermits, tangs, snails, etc to
control hair algae, but in my experience these things don't work.

The water parameters look fine because the hair algae is taking up excess
nutrients before the test kit can detect it.

Dan
www.komaromi.com




wrote in message
oups.com...
I've got a big problem. I have 55 gallon tank with a bunch of live
rock, matel haylides, Red Sea skimmer (the big one), powerheads,etc.
The water parameters are fine. I've had this tank for 5 years with no
problems. I've had a Hippo and Powder Tang for about 3 years and they
took care of the algae. All was fine until -stupid me- introduced a
baby snowflake. He was fine when he was little, but about a month ago,
he killed both Tangs and a lawnmower blenny. He's about 1 1/2 feet long
and I feed him 3 times a week, so he isn't starving. Since Percy
killed the fish, my tank looks like a kelp forrest unless I pull it all
out. Are there any algae eating/bad tasting fish out there? I would
really appreciate any ideas.