Epiphany about my tank today

[TheTangFuzz]

I did a tank move into my house about a month ago and I've been battling hair algae and some grape algae like crazy. I used new sand and couldn't figure out where the nutrients were coming from. Then today I realized I haven't seen my tuxedo urchin in about two weeks . Unfortunately I think he passed away and I'm thinking that's where the nutrient spike came from. Thoughts?

Look forward to hearing from everyone!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Could be. What’s your water parameters?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Very possible. On that note, do a good water change, Reduce white light intensity and owe it to your self tto get a bottle of liquid vibrant which will get rid of this for you.
Dose at 80% of bottle recommendation.

 

[TheTangFuzz]

Could be. What’s your water parameters?

Getting some false readings on nitrate. looks about 10-15 nitrate (red sea) 10.3 alk (hannah) 534 Calc (hannah). I only have a phosphate kit from API it reads zero but, there is algae so it's just getting eaten up.

 

[Vette67]

Look around. If you see one of these, you found your urchin.

 

[TheTangFuzz]

Very possible. On that note, do a good water change, Reduce white light intensity and owe it to your self tto get a bottle of liquid vibrant which will get rid of this for you.
Dose at 80% of bottle recommendation.

already on it! I started vibrant Saturday and have done 5 gallon water changes every few days where before I have been doing 5 a week. (46 gallon bowfront) I also have a comline 9004 skimmer that I have been running wet to pull more out since the issue started. I was feeding everyday at the apartment for like 6-7 months and things were great. I have since moved that to every other day and less than I was before hand. I'm also doing some manual removal periodically.

 

[TheTangFuzz]

Look around. If you see one of these, you found your urchin.

I'll look around if I can. I'm really betting my pistol shrimp has stolen the carcass and used it to block one of his many entrances to his cave. So it's probably buried. I didn't know they left a skeleton that's actually pretty cool if I find it.