Alage identification

[Aidanwolf]

I have some hair alage in my tank but there is another type of alage in my tank that looks more like a green plant what kind of alage is it.

 

[Aidanwolf]

I belive that it is turf algae, I also read that it is hard to get rid of. They say bleach the rocks that it is on or turn of the lights for a couple of days. Any other suggestions?

 

[Oscar47f]

I would try and pick it out by hand and starve the algae with GFO and water changes. it takes a really long time to kill it with the lights turned off by itself so if you have coral its not an option.

 

[Aidanwolf]

Okay, what is GFO?

 

[Oscar47f]

Granular Ferric Oxide it'll take phosphates out of the water.

 

[Aidanwolf]

Okay thanks,my api phosphate test says there is not much phosphate,but i also heard that the api phosphate kit isnt very accurate.

 

[Aidanwolf]

I also have some active carbon in my filter system.

 

[Oscar47f]

Yes the API isn't terribly accurate but if its saying theres phosphate then its a concern because phosphates should be at as close to 0 ppm as possible. And the carbon is good unfortunately it doesn't help too much with phosphate.

 

[Aidanwolf]

Okay i will put the carbon under my filter floss and put the Granular Ferric Oxide into the stage that my carbon was in.

 

[Oscar47f]

That might get things going lol but the main part is up to you so you have to be diligent about picking it out by hand as much as you can and making sure nitrates and phosphates are close to 0 for the purpose of getting rid of the algae. reducing the amount of time the lights are on is good too probably 6-8 hours of light? maybe you can add a few scarlet hermits and some snails to try and help but don't rely on them completely. Good luck!

 

[Aidanwolf]

I have three snails and three hermit crabs, so i think i a am good there.

 

[Oscar47f]

How big is the tank? and what type of each do you have?

 

[Aidanwolf]

It is a 29 gallon coralife biocube. I am not sure if you mean filter media or not but i have filter floss, purigen and carbon.

 

[Oscar47f]

you could probably use more of a clean up crew but thats your call, once the phosphates are in check and all it should get better. Good luck man. Happy reefing!

 

[Aidanwolf]

Okay thanks