Is green hair algae actually bad?

THEUNION1 · 02/12/2018, 02:37 AM

Seeing that I’m doing a planted tank. Would it be bad if I just allow green hair algae to grow?

Subsea · 02/12/2018, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEUNION1

Seeing that I’m doing a planted tank. Would it be bad if I just allow green hair algae to grow?

It depends on what you want to look at. Yes, it is easy to grow, it is invasive. It depends on your definition of bad.

What do you want your tank to look like? I am an avid gardener. When undesirables get in my garden, I weed them out. Eventually the weeds choke out the desirables.

THEUNION1 · 02/12/2018, 07:43 AM

I don’t mind the look of it so I was wondering if there’s any ILL effects by having it in a planted reef tank.

BonesCJ · 02/12/2018, 03:06 PM

I have a little here and there, the Macro's very nature helps keep micro algae like that under control.

Michael Hoaster · 02/14/2018, 12:01 AM

I can't think of any ill affects-just natural filtration, like any other algae. It does move nicely in the current. I remember not hating it when I had it. Why not keep it as long as you like it?

A mass die off could drop oxygen to a dangerous level for fish.

rsumner · 02/16/2018, 11:54 AM

I was away on a business trip for a few weeks and came back to a hair algae infestation in my small 20gal tank. While I don't particularly like it, I will say that my copepod population is booming which gives the fish nice little snacks all day.

Subsea · 02/16/2018, 05:51 PM

From a metabolic waste point of view, GHA is much higher with DOC waste than chaeto.

THEUNION1 · 02/17/2018, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subsea

From a metabolic waste point of view, GHA is much higher with DOC waste than chaeto.

Maybe i can try to control that via ozone and activated carbon...?

Really though, i should probably get rid of the hair algae just in case it becomes an issue for my fish and anemone.

One cool thing i noticed is there are leaves starting to grow in my sump where the hair algae has populated on a rock.

Subsea · 02/20/2018, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEUNION1

Maybe i can try to control that via ozone and activated carbon...?

Really though, i should probably get rid of the hair algae just in case it becomes an issue for my fish and anemone.

One cool thing i noticed is there are leaves starting to grow in my sump where the hair algae has populated on a rock.

From a chemistry point of view, the DOC released by corals is full of lipids & proteins while the DOC released by macro is full of carbohydrates, the reef equivalent of “junk food”.

IMO, GAC would help the most. However, I use UV on 90% of my set ups, except for 25 year old Jaubert 75G display with 30G mud cryptic sponge refugium

02/12/2018, 02:37 AM	#1
THEUNION1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CA Posts: 928	Is green hair algae actually bad? Seeing that I’m doing a planted tank. Would it be bad if I just allow green hair algae to grow?

02/12/2018, 03:06 PM	#4
BonesCJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 1,420	I have a little here and there, the Macro's very nature helps keep micro algae like that under control. __________________ Chris K. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon Green Garden O Macros

02/14/2018, 12:01 AM	#5
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I can't think of any ill affects-just natural filtration, like any other algae. It does move nicely in the current. I remember not hating it when I had it. Why not keep it as long as you like it? A mass die off could drop oxygen to a dangerous level for fish. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

02/16/2018, 05:51 PM	#7
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	From a metabolic waste point of view, GHA is much higher with DOC waste than chaeto. __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout

02/12/2018, 07:43 AM	#3
THEUNION1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CA Posts: 928	I don’t mind the look of it so I was wondering if there’s any ILL effects by having it in a planted reef tank.

02/16/2018, 11:54 AM	#6
rsumner Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 5	I was away on a business trip for a few weeks and came back to a hair algae infestation in my small 20gal tank. While I don't particularly like it, I will say that my copepod population is booming which gives the fish nice little snacks all day.