How do I kill off angle hair

Read this article:

http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

Marc


craig wrote:

What methods work?

I had an overfeeding problem that I believe is in check.

Water temps might be contributing 79F I trying to get down, pumps and
lighting are doing the heating from what I can tell.

1.3 yr tank

Some rocks I can try flipping upside down others have creatures on them
I thought of trying to cover rocks with black plastic using the puddy
that's used to sick rocks together, but to no avail. Thought I could kill
it by denying it light.

suggestions ?

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 07:32:10 +0000, Marc Levenson wrote:

Read this article:

http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

Marc

So far the you're the only one to respond. What's funny is that this is
the very same info I got on a simliar quest 8 or 9 months ago. It's hard
to believe that this is the prevailing method for dealing with angel hair,
pulling it my hand. I've been doing this while working on the water
quality. It's almost impossible getting if off some rocks this way. It can
grow in spots inaccessible to fingers.

The lighting is the next step, but the these lights were setup only last
Oct. I don't think that it's them.

I'm in ND and I can not believe that house hold ambient temps of 62-68f
are effecting the tank temps. It's got to be the two power pumps and the
protein skimmer creating the heat more likly the power pumps. One I just
upgraded to the capcity of the other. I think I have to find some that
promote that they run cool. The heater is now umplugged, although I'm sure
it was not kicking in with where I had it set to. Temps now down to about
77F/76F

I've tried concentrates of food grade calciium hydroxide using a large
hypodermic needle to apply, but only for the most persistant and
inaccessible spots. I'm not comfortable using it but I haven't noticed any
adverse effects.

If you go to Reefcentral.com, you'll find thousands of posts discussing how to
get rid of GHA.

If you get rid of the source that fuels it, and get rid of the majority of it
by hand, your clean up crew should be able to handle the last of it nicely.

Marc


craig wrote:

So far the you're the only one to respond. What's funny is that this is
the very same info I got on a simliar quest 8 or 9 months ago. It's hard
to believe that this is the prevailing method for dealing with angel hair,
pulling it my hand. I've been doing this while working on the water
quality. It's almost impossible getting if off some rocks this way. It can
grow in spots inaccessible to fingers.

The lighting is the next step, but the these lights were setup only last
Oct. I don't think that it's them.

I'm in ND and I can not believe that house hold ambient temps of 62-68f
are effecting the tank temps. It's got to be the two power pumps and the
protein skimmer creating the heat more likly the power pumps. One I just
upgraded to the capcity of the other. I think I have to find some that
promote that they run cool. The heater is now umplugged, although I'm sure
it was not kicking in with where I had it set to. Temps now down to about
77F/76F

I've tried concentrates of food grade calciium hydroxide using a large
hypodermic needle to apply, but only for the most persistant and
inaccessible spots. I'm not comfortable using it but I haven't noticed any
adverse effects.

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

I follow a strict water change every 2 weeks. I use distilled water. I add
Red Sea salt and maintain specific gravity of .023 to .0235 water temps at
78F. I'm trying to find a way to lower the temps know that I realize that
it's not my heater that's maintaining my water temps. This was a surprise
to me. I have two 1200 Maxi-jet pumps a Emperor 400 and SeaClone skimmer.

I havn't had 9 months of this problem. None months ago I had the problem
of Angle agae and took care of it. Two/3 months ago I got a Hawk fish in
addition to a yellow tank and a purple damsel. The Hawk didn't seem to be
able to compete with the other two fish for the food. In my attempts to
make sure he got fed I started getting too much food into the system. Bang
the Angle head took off again.

I've made adjustments in the feeding so that I'm pretty sure the Hawk is
getting enough. I'm back to maybe 3 days before the glass needs wiped
down.

I'd really like to get temps down to 73F or there abouts. I don't like
reducing the water flow in the tank. I'd appreciate recommendations.

The Emperor has two blue filters and one plastic with charcoal in them. I
do note that I use to usually find little shrimp in them when I rinsed
them/changed them. I don't seem them now. I wonder if I've lost some level
of biolgical balance. Or could it be that the Hawk fish has cleaned them
up?

I have a live sand substrata. I use to see the occassional miniscule red
worm but no longer sometimes in the sand.

I check water for nitrates and nitrites. The worst strip testing was maybe
in the range of 40 ( is that ppm ) for nitrates. I've never seen nitrites
becomming an issue. Most of the time nitrates are reading at about 30
(ppm).

I keep a clean skimmer pulling it apart about once every 3-4 months and
getting brushes down into it to clean out any accumulated scum. I say it's
scum it's not green but spots of stuff slowly start to show up. The top
collection cannister gets cleaned about every 3-4 days using a brush.

I've not had much luck trying to keep corals. I had some stag coral that
grew well for about 8 months then a water conditioning crisis were I was
adding coral growth chemicals that I went overboard with. Lost the coral
and havn't ventured back. I think its best if I avoid anything too exotic.

before responding to the issues, a few questions

why the low temp
why the low salinity
do you have any LR, if so est how much?


--
Richard Reynolds

before responding to the issues, a few questions

why the low temp
You understand I want a lower temp than 78F Why, because I thought this
would make it less condusive for growing angle hair..no? Then to I don't
like it that I've lost the ability to reduce the temps in the tank to the
lower ranges that I once kept to. When summer comes it will go above
normal, I don't have air conditioning in the house. Although we generally
don't have that many hot days in ND and my house is shaded by trees I do
have a few weeks when temps could not get way out of control that I worry
about
why the low salinity

I thought .023.5 - .024 was normal.. higher densities for Red Sea
conditions

do you have any LR, if so est how much?

what is LR.

I forgot to mention that I stuck a small isolation tank inside the
main tank.I put small piece of macro algae in it that I'm trying to
propogate. It's been two weeks and no growth. I isolated so that the tank
and dmasels do eat it up. I havn't been able to get more of it. My
thoughts are that it will consume the phospates that I figured the angle
hair has thrived on. I thought this macro algae would take off but it
hasn't

why the low temp
You understand I want a lower temp than 78F Why, because I thought this
would make it less condusive for growing angle hair..no?

marginally but yes, not the best fix though. when you are talking LOW 80's and high 70's
if you were 85-90 then temp should be the first thing to drop. I wouldnt run any cooler
than 78, I run most of my tanks near 80.

Then to I don't
like it that I've lost the ability to reduce the temps in the tank to the
lower ranges that I once kept to. When summer comes it will go above
normal, I don't have air conditioning in the house. Although we generally
don't have that many hot days in ND and my house is shaded by trees I do
have a few weeks when temps could not get way out of control that I worry
about

I live in SoCal, I know the drill well.

why the low salinity

I thought .023.5 - .024 was normal.. higher densities for Red Sea
conditions

yes but 1.024 to 1.026 is considered more average for a reef.


do you have any LR, if so est how much?
what is LR.

Live Rock

I forgot to mention that I stuck a small isolation tank inside the
main tank.I put small piece of macro algae in it that I'm trying to
propogate. It's been two weeks and no growth. I isolated so that the tank
and dmasels do eat it up. I havn't been able to get more of it. My
thoughts are that it will consume the phospates that I figured the angle
hair has thrived on. I thought this macro algae would take off but it
hasn't

refugiums dont work over night, and 30ppm nitrate is going to need manual lowering the
algae will help sustain a lower level, but will have to work so much harder to lower the
levels.



mainly I have to ask because I am not there, and I dont know your reasons, and I dont know
your tank. sometimes there are reasons for such things, one preditor tank I run is a warm
temperate tank and is kept much colder than my reefs you didnt say that you had that need.
I also just now realized I dont know how big is your tank???? and do you run bio wheels in
the emperor??
--
Richard Reynolds

"craig" wrote in message
news [snip]
I follow a strict water change every 2 weeks. I use distilled water. I add
Red Sea salt and maintain specific gravity of .023 to .0235 water temps at
78F. I'm trying to find a way to lower the temps know that I realize that
it's not my heater that's maintaining my water temps. This was a surprise
to me. I have two 1200 Maxi-jet pumps a Emperor 400 and SeaClone skimmer.

[/snip]
This is correct .023 - .0235?

[snip]
I'd really like to get temps down to 73F or there abouts. I don't like
reducing the water flow in the tank. I'd appreciate recommendations.

[/snip]
Is there specific reason why you want your tank temperature to be 73F?
I would say this kind low.

[snip]
The Emperor has two blue filters and one plastic with charcoal in them. I
do note that I use to usually find little shrimp in them when I rinsed
them/changed them. I don't seem them now. I wonder if I've lost some level
of biolgical balance. Or could it be that the Hawk fish has cleaned them
up?
[/snip]
You do not need charcoal or active carbon in SW tank. Unless you want to
remove chemical.

[snip]
I have a live sand substrata. I use to see the occassional miniscule red
worm but no longer sometimes in the sand.
[/snip]
What substrate do you have?
Do you have like a gravel or big size pebble?

[snip]
I keep a clean skimmer pulling it apart about once every 3-4 months and
getting brushes down into it to clean out any accumulated scum. I say it's
scum it's not green but spots of stuff slowly start to show up. The top
collection cannister gets cleaned about every 3-4 days using a brush.
[/snip]
Not scum? What color does it look like? Is it making foam? Does it smell?

[snip]
I've not had much luck trying to keep corals. I had some stag coral that
grew well for about 8 months then a water conditioning crisis were I was
adding coral growth chemicals that I went overboard with. Lost the coral
and havn't ventured back. I think its best if I avoid anything too exotic.
[/snip]
I would avoid those for now. You need to get your water parameter in better
condition or atleast stable first.
Get a good hold on how your tank run. When your tank mature and stable, then
get the coral that maybe support in your tank condition.

CapFusion,...

So far the you're the only one to respond. What's funny is that this is
the very same info I got on a simliar quest 8 or 9 months ago. It's hard
to believe that this is the prevailing method for dealing with angel hair,
pulling it my hand. I've been doing this while working on the water
quality. It's almost impossible getting if off some rocks this way. It can
grow in spots inaccessible to fingers.

you posted requesting help with hair algae, this question gets asked often, and in the 8
or 9 months you have been battling it the fix has not chnaged!!! you also didnt post the
results of the water tests you should have been doing, or what filters including skimmer
you have running and what media is in each one.

fix the water quality problems and the hair algae will go away on its own in time, removal
by hand helps significantly but you dont have to get it all.




--
Richard Reynolds

Craig,
You are not providing any specific or any water parameter except you are
having "Algae" problem. The only information that I notice is your water
temperature and what maybe contributing your heating issue. But again, you
did not provide the temperature that your tank is on. Then you state you
room amber temp [62-68F] but later you indicate you turn down your heater
to77-76F.

So far, I see you have two problem that you indicate but at the same time
provide half information regard the two problem.
1. Algae
2. Heating issue by pump

Next you indicate your have tried "Calium Hydroxide".
I have no comment on this part since I have no idea what is the cause yet to
your original problem.

Maybe you can try this link regarding Algae
http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

Algae require these few thing to grow or to thrive. Depending on the amount
it get.
Light [bad spectrium from shift from the bulb / lamp]
Nutrient - Either by food / underpower skimmate / dead spot
Overfeeding - Uneating food

And OR
Not enough janitorial cleanup crew [shrimp / crab / snail ..etc..]

Please provide the following:
Water parameter?
What tesk kit or brand?
What type of light fixture and how long you have the bulb / lamp?
What Protein Skimmer you are using and or pump with that PS?
What food you feeding or adding to your tank?
How big is your tank?
What critter you have in your tank?
How long you running your light?
What your mean of water filteration?
What type of water you put into your tank [tap / RO or [DI]]?

You say your tank started about 1.3years or about.
Do you have Live Rock and or Live Sand?
Did you cycle your LR and or LS?

CapFusion,...


"craig" wrote in message
news

So far the you're the only one to respond. What's funny is that this is
the very same info I got on a simliar quest 8 or 9 months ago. It's hard
to believe that this is the prevailing method for dealing with angel hair,
pulling it my hand. I've been doing this while working on the water
quality. It's almost impossible getting if off some rocks this way. It can
grow in spots inaccessible to fingers.

The lighting is the next step, but the these lights were setup only last
Oct. I don't think that it's them.

I'm in ND and I can not believe that house hold ambient temps of 62-68f
are effecting the tank temps. It's got to be the two power pumps and the
protein skimmer creating the heat more likly the power pumps. One I just
upgraded to the capcity of the other. I think I have to find some that
promote that they run cool. The heater is now umplugged, although I'm sure
it was not kicking in with where I had it set to. Temps now down to about
77F/76F

I've tried concentrates of food grade calciium hydroxide using a large
hypodermic needle to apply, but only for the most persistant and
inaccessible spots. I'm not comfortable using it but I haven't noticed any
adverse effects.