GHA ISSUE DIFFERENT THAN MOST!

[Pellegrino]

Hey guys so I've had my tank running for almost 3 years now. Never had algae issues, my current levels are as follows:
Pho4-0
Alk-8
Cal-450
Mag-1500
Tank Size: 40 gallon breeder w/ 20 gallon sump
Current situation hair algae dominating both sides of my tank all over the live rock. I have like 4 fish and a decent clean up crew and feed them every other day, I also use brightwell aminos almost daily along with oyster feast. I do 5 gallon water changes weekly along with my filter sock as well. I will not use chemicals to battle this issue as I've heard too many horror stories. So basically I am looking for a natural solution so I can remove this GHA. Also noticed I started getting red slime algae on the back of my sand bed, and on the live rock right under my gyre. Also taking rock out to dip them is not a solution either as all my sps are glued and have encrusted on my rocks. I do have a fuge not a big one but works, and gfo/carbon reactors as well. Most recent change I took out my 3 mp-10s and added 1 maxspect gyre 130. Also i have tried 2 sea hares both have deceased without eating any hair algae. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[brandon429]

If nobody responds be sure and check our chemical solution below in the big challenge thread. No horror stories only a bunch of good after pics. To go all natural it's simple, buy a bunch of clean up crew members and begin chasing po4 and no3 levels, even though you've reported them as OK. This is why people get into chemical cheats that simply stop your problem but it's not required. Keeping the full mass of algae in place and waiting X number of weeks for nutrient starving to work is more common. blending the two, target removal vs long term prevention, is often the clincher

 

[Wiz]

What is your nitrate level and what are you using to measure po4?
Slime and hair are usually high nutrients. Slime can also be exacerbated by poor flow in affected areas.

 

[Wiz]

If switching to the maxpect caused "dead spots" that could be the cau se of waste build up resulting in excess nutrients.

 

[malira]

You are getting Po4 at 0 because you HA using up so it isn't detected.

I used manual removal, putting less nutrient into toe tank, more nutrient export with water changes and turbo snails. Turbos are a mixed bag. Great for HA but hard on coral placement.

 

[dwebb1031]

I'm in a similar boat as you. tank is almost 3 with great Chem levels and Gha every where other than unsightlyness doesn't really bother me. I picked up a sea hare less than a week ago and he has already burnt through more than half of the gha that was in the tank. Everything low is done soon he'll need to move onto the higher up stuff. I have quite a it of coral and have seen him crawling over numerous piece and has not damaged any. My cbs loves him and follows him everywhere the fish don't seem to care one way or another.

 

[Wiz]

Nice tank!

I'm in a similar boat as you. tank is almost 3 with great Chem levels and Gha every where other than unsightlyness doesn't really bother me. I picked up a sea hare less than a week ago and he has already burnt through more than half of the gha that was in the tank. Everything low is done soon he'll need to move onto the higher up stuff. I have quite a it of coral and have seen him crawling over numerous piece and has not damaged any. My cbs loves him and follows him everywhere the fish don't seem to care one way or another.

 

[dwebb1031]

Thank you.

 

[Hunter S Thompson]

Here is a link to the challenge mentioned above: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef2reef-pest-algae-challenge-thread-hydrogen-peroxide.187042/

I'd say read through it before you rule it out. It's not always as simple as "lower your nutrient" or "hope CUC eats it all". The nutrient could be in the rock itself. Would you rather pull your rock, or just kill it? Maybe once it's dead the nutrients will start making it to your filtration.