Hair algae and sea hare slug?

Question
Hello my name is Ray, I have 2 questions.
I have 4 saltwater tanks with live rock and sand! 2 of them. (A 90 gallon with fish, coral, live rock and live sand) and a (55 with fish, live rock, live sand) have green hair algae! My (40 gallon fish, live rock live sand) and I have a (20 that I use as a frag tank) Do not have this problem!! I only use RO water and do regular water changes! The 2 tanks in question are exposed to normal daylight via the windows during the day, and I run metal halides at night, Do you think this is the cause of the algae?

secondly I was told that a sea hare will help eat this type of algae! So I bought one. It appears to be going around and eating things around the rocks and glass, but not really going after the problem areas! tonight I actually watched it bury itself in the sand? Is this normal?? Or should I be concerned? I heard some sea hares will omit toxins if it dies in your tank.

Actually I will take any tips you have on this outbreak!!!

looking forward to any tips you can give me to help with this nuisance algae!

Thank You
Ray

Answer
Hey Ray,

Sorry for the delay in responding to you... My PC has been acting up lately


And YES, I do think natural sunlight is a big potential culprit to the algae issues..

Typically natural sunglight is a bit more yellow in the spectrum, then our aquarium lights, and will contribute to a lot of GREEN issues... (issues can be good or bad).. if you ahve green corals, they might grow faster)

But, between the spectrum issue, you are also having a longer 'light cycle' then your other two tanks...

so, the two tanks in question have more light... And with everything else being equal/the same, then it would be reasonable to think that the algae is caused by the natural light/windows


as for the sea slugs/hares, yes, they CAN cause issues, but RARELY do...

I find that folks that have this concern pretty much have not done thier homework and as a result have this insecurity...That insecurity will cause them continuing issues wihle they worry about all the 'hypothetical' problems

Typically, I would not reccomend getting sea hares for or rather to fix a problem.. I would suggest getting them cause they are cool as hell...

And like all other critters, you should plan on a tank and it's occupants and all that.. and if you want a sea hare, then put it on the list, and plan for other tank mates, and also plan on not getting some tank mates based on your compatibility requiremnts

Going back to how to fix your algae issue...

...

It would be reasonable to think that if you make the assumption that natural light is causeing the alage, that removing the natural lighting would fix the problem... If you can not remove the windows, or   Move the tanks, then hows about windo treatments.. BLINDS/SHADEs/DRAPES.. or even window film.. Like they use in cars...

ALSO,  you can cover the tank.  Either put in those funky plastic stuff that they sell for fresh water tanks... or you can use anything.. like aluminum foil, or cardboard...



If you want to try treating this 'natrually', then i suggest more turbo snails.  the larger the better... And everytime they move away from the algae, you pick them up, slap them cross side the head, and put them back on the clump of algae...

You keep moving them back every time...

They are your clean up crew, and they dont have the right to organize, so you can take away thier lunch breaks and make them work thru thier lunch breaks until the algae is gone...


heheheh

And yes, Im wierd that way, sometimes....(ok, a lot)




I also like emerald crabs, and sally lightfoot...


BUT, I also HATE CRABs


They are unpredictable... They eat anything they can...they will go after the easiest thing they can.. usually this means going after dead things... or dieing thing


I prefer snails whenever possible...


good luck and pleae keep me posted.

ALSO, please log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

There are lots more members there, and everyone can contribute and offer feedback and support to each other...


It is also easier to post pictures there... And there is a live chat box so you can chat live with me or anyone else who might be online at the same time

I look forward to seeing youthere...

Good luck


Bill