Alge eater

[mogurnda]

Herbivores are certainly part of the equation, but nutrients are important as well. Keep in mind that most herbivores don't like hair algae. My tang would rather starve than eat it.

Have you checked phosphate? Nitrate is often demonized, but phosphate can appear in many forms and seems to be more of a problem when I have had algae blooms.

Although I am loath to recommend chemical solutions to problems, you might try a bag of RowaPhos or PhosBan. I recommend these, because they are iron based; the alumina-based products irritate soft corals. Along with grazers, careful food control, water changes and scrubbing with a toothbrush, phosban has helped get my hair algae problem under control.

 

[Cat]

okay will have a look at that, I dont have a phospate testing kit so I dont know what my levels are like, Im gradually stocking and buying more equipment etc as I go along and I only have the basic tests for NO2 NO3 Ammonia KH and Ph at the mo. I am not adding anything to the water at the mo except photoplankton, although I will shortly be getting an all in one calcium iodine etc formula.
Will either of these chemicals kill of the algae that has already formed or just prevent it from forming in the future?

 

[mogurnda]

If you get phosphate levels below a certain point, the algae won't grow. It will probably not all die off immediately, though.

I would be inclined to skip the all-in-one supplement. Calcium and alkalinity additions need to be balanced (and measured), and it's probably best not to link iodine additions to them.