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Unread 08/19/2018, 05:29 PM   #2
Dan_P
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,432
A few random thoughts.

Algae can obtain nitrogen from sources other than nitrate and it might not be from the water column. Locally, enough phosphates and nitrogen compounds may be seeping from the substrate but not enough to accumulate to measure with hobby kits. I believe this is why increased circulation can help in some cases of cyanobacteria infestations. Never heard it working for hair algae eradication though. So, if you are happy with your circulation, consider using a turkey baster to “blow” water over the hair algae mats to see if they are accumulating detritus. They might be creating microenvironments of nutrient accumulation and feeding themselves or just choking out encrusting algae like coralline.

Dosing carbon, bacterial competition for nitrogen, seems like a reasonable approach, though you are getting close to the upper limit where bacteria floc start to appear. I don’t recall reading it as a sure cure for nuisance algae. Maybe continue dosing awhile longer, but watch your alkalinity. It might start creeping upwards.

Hair algae seems to be a great competitor for nutrients. Maybe it is time to get physical. Can you increase the grazers? Borrow a hundred snails for a month?can hou physically scrape any off?

Aren’t there chemical attacks with fluconazole or hydrogen peroxide?

You have a tough problem and seem to be doing all the right things.


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