Richmond
Well-Known Member
Good afternoon. I know this is a very well documented and very well discussed topic. I've read an absolute ton of threads and still have questions, so hoping for a little guidance.
First, I've had what I assume to be GHA for ~2 years. It comes, it goes, but it's always there. Lately it's been increasing in quantity, so I want to really get aggressive with dealing with it.
In the above photo you can see, it's basically taken over the entire back wall. It doesn't seem to be growing on any liverock. It does however grow on glass sometimes, and always some on the powerhead / return valves.
My tank is an IM 40 with an upgraded return, and a wave maker. I'm running GFO, carbo, an algae scrubber (useless), and a ghost skimmer (pretty decentish). I have an AWC that does a 1/2 gallon water change daily. I've run as much as 4 gallons per day daily for a week with no change.
Parameters:
Phosphate 0.00 PPB
Nitrate 0-0.01PPM
Alk 7.7dKH
Calcium 400 ppm
Mag 1400
salinity 1.026
pH 8.3
For the past 2-3 weeks my light has been running all blues, no white, 10% red/green, and 70% blue/royal. My light is maxspect ethereal that's a few years old.
In the past, I've tried a lot of different techniques for removal.
Manual removal daily, until there are no major occurances. Comes back within a few days, and is taking over again within a week or two.
Vodka dosing daily for a month. Minimal change.
10% daily water changes for a week. Minimal to no impact.
Reduced feeding, hoping maybe the algae was consuming all nutrients and that's why low test numbers. No impact
Increased feeding, because why not. No impact.
After more researched, I did the hydrogen peroxide test in a bowl. The algae didn't turn white after 24 hours in a 50/50 SW/H2O2 (3%) mix. So now, I'm wondering if it's GHA? I wouldn't think it's turf/bryopsis because of the appearance, but I'm not ruling out anything.
The algae is SUPER easy to remove. It will come out with just a turkey baster, in large clumps. The base where it's attached is somewhat matted, but it's very long and stringy as shown in the picture.
I'm currently waiting on an order of Vibrant that I will try for the first time. I'm looking for any information, advice, or input. Especially since the hydrogen peroxide test results were inconclusive / not helpful.
My other consideration, that I'm probably going to start today is adding encrusting / easy growing corals to the back wall in an effort to eliminate it's growth abilities. The GHA (?) doesn't seem to grow on any health corals at all, so considering doing some monti / cyphastrea / zoas / leptrastrea. Thoughts on this?
Please, for the love of God, help me.
First, I've had what I assume to be GHA for ~2 years. It comes, it goes, but it's always there. Lately it's been increasing in quantity, so I want to really get aggressive with dealing with it.
In the above photo you can see, it's basically taken over the entire back wall. It doesn't seem to be growing on any liverock. It does however grow on glass sometimes, and always some on the powerhead / return valves.
My tank is an IM 40 with an upgraded return, and a wave maker. I'm running GFO, carbo, an algae scrubber (useless), and a ghost skimmer (pretty decentish). I have an AWC that does a 1/2 gallon water change daily. I've run as much as 4 gallons per day daily for a week with no change.
Parameters:
Phosphate 0.00 PPB
Nitrate 0-0.01PPM
Alk 7.7dKH
Calcium 400 ppm
Mag 1400
salinity 1.026
pH 8.3
For the past 2-3 weeks my light has been running all blues, no white, 10% red/green, and 70% blue/royal. My light is maxspect ethereal that's a few years old.
In the past, I've tried a lot of different techniques for removal.
Manual removal daily, until there are no major occurances. Comes back within a few days, and is taking over again within a week or two.
Vodka dosing daily for a month. Minimal change.
10% daily water changes for a week. Minimal to no impact.
Reduced feeding, hoping maybe the algae was consuming all nutrients and that's why low test numbers. No impact
Increased feeding, because why not. No impact.
After more researched, I did the hydrogen peroxide test in a bowl. The algae didn't turn white after 24 hours in a 50/50 SW/H2O2 (3%) mix. So now, I'm wondering if it's GHA? I wouldn't think it's turf/bryopsis because of the appearance, but I'm not ruling out anything.
The algae is SUPER easy to remove. It will come out with just a turkey baster, in large clumps. The base where it's attached is somewhat matted, but it's very long and stringy as shown in the picture.
I'm currently waiting on an order of Vibrant that I will try for the first time. I'm looking for any information, advice, or input. Especially since the hydrogen peroxide test results were inconclusive / not helpful.
My other consideration, that I'm probably going to start today is adding encrusting / easy growing corals to the back wall in an effort to eliminate it's growth abilities. The GHA (?) doesn't seem to grow on any health corals at all, so considering doing some monti / cyphastrea / zoas / leptrastrea. Thoughts on this?
Please, for the love of God, help me.
