easy way to remove algae?

I have lots of green hair-like algae growing on my live rock. Is there an
easy way to physically remove this algae?

"Brian" wrote in message
...
I have lots of green hair-like algae growing on my live rock. Is there an
easy way to physically remove this algae?


"Physically Remove" The only physically way is to use your hand and manually
pull it out.

General idea of GHA [courtesy of Marc] -
http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

CapFusion,...

You can, if your sump is lower than the main tank, get a 10'-12' length of
1/2" tubing and with a rubberband attach a leg of pantyhose to one end which
will sit in the sump. Start a siphon on this end and with the other end you
can vaccuum away to your heart's content. When done, just toss the
GHA-laden pantyhose.
Pretty simple.
Dan


"Brian" wrote in message
...
I have lots of green hair-like algae growing on my live rock. Is there an
easy way to physically remove this algae?

"DANorgard" wrote in message ...
You can, if your sump is lower than the main tank, get a 10'-12' length of
1/2" tubing and with a rubberband attach a leg of pantyhose to one end which
will sit in the sump. Start a siphon on this end and with the other end you
can vaccuum away to your heart's content. When done, just toss the
GHA-laden pantyhose.
Pretty simple.

Have you done this before ?
The algae is growing on the rock and does not let go
as easily to be sucked of with the hose...

Unfortunately I've done it several times. If its stuck to the rock you can
tape a stiff toothbrush at the opening of the tube. I bought one of those
hollow- handled dish scrubbers that you fill with soap and have bristles on
them. Drill a hole in the handle and insert the tube then drill a 1/2" hole
in the bristle base to let the water flow in.
Dan

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"DANorgard" wrote in message
...
You can, if your sump is lower than the main tank, get a 10'-12' length of
1/2" tubing and with a rubberband attach a leg of pantyhose to one end
which
will sit in the sump. Start a siphon on this end and with the other end
you
can vaccuum away to your heart's content. When done, just toss the
GHA-laden pantyhose.
Pretty simple.

Have you done this before ?
The algae is growing on the rock and does not let go
as easily to be sucked of with the hose...

"DANorgard" wrote in message
...
| Unfortunately I've done it several times. If its stuck to the rock
you can
| tape a stiff toothbrush at the opening of the tube. I bought one
of those
| hollow- handled dish scrubbers that you fill with soap and have
bristles on
| them. Drill a hole in the handle and insert the tube then drill a
1/2" hole
| in the bristle base to let the water flow in.


Oh, that's pretty cool. Noted for future project days.

"DANorgard" wrote in message ...
Unfortunately I've done it several times. If its stuck to the rock you can
tape a stiff toothbrush at the opening of the tube. I bought one of those
hollow- handled dish scrubbers that you fill with soap and have bristles on
them. Drill a hole in the handle and insert the tube then drill a 1/2" hole
in the bristle base to let the water flow in.

Interesting - I tried this with Derbesia and Bryopsis and it did not work.
I must have done it some wrong way... I noticed the algae holds to the rocks
to strongly to be sucked off. I was rather using wooden spatula split at
the end and I tried to wrap algae strands around the wooden stick - I was
making something like cotton swabs with algae hair...
Of course some of it was always left on the rocks so if you do not improve
water quality removing algae this way would be your weekly entertainment ;-)

My sump is 4ft lower than the tank, which produces a fair amount of
fall/suction. That takes care of the 'loose' stuff and the brush takes care
of 90% of the rest. I'm not claiming my method returns the LR to
pre-purchase cleanliness, but it does a fair job.
Dan


"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"DANorgard" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately I've done it several times. If its stuck to the rock you
can
tape a stiff toothbrush at the opening of the tube. I bought one of those
hollow- handled dish scrubbers that you fill with soap and have bristles
on
them. Drill a hole in the handle and insert the tube then drill a 1/2"
hole
in the bristle base to let the water flow in.

Interesting - I tried this with Derbesia and Bryopsis and it did not work.
I must have done it some wrong way... I noticed the algae holds to the rocks
to strongly to be sucked off. I was rather using wooden spatula split at
the end and I tried to wrap algae strands around the wooden stick - I was
making something like cotton swabs with algae hair...
Of course some of it was always left on the rocks so if you do not improve
water quality removing algae this way would be your weekly entertainment ;-)

1) High alkalinity
2) reduce lighting period for a few days
3) push the calcium levels up
4) I personally set up a canister filter and attached an old toothbrush to
the suction end, then I reached in, toothbrushed the algae which was sucked
into the canister filter (magnum 350).....it's been under control for 2
months now.....but tank age is a factor as well....it's just a natural part
of the cycle, especially if you don't use RO.DI water.

grunfeld in Detroit
"Brian" wrote in message
...
I have lots of green hair-like algae growing on my live rock. Is there an
easy way to physically remove this algae?

How high should the Alkalinity and Calsium be to help reduce the Algea ?