Hair algae help

[RZ5T]

So I've been fighting hair algae for pretty much the whole time my tank finished its cycle. I would really appreciate any and all help on getting this cleared up. Please include "how to" tips when suggesting things. Thanks in advance.

The water parameters are:

P.H. - 7.87
Magnesium - 1470 ppm
Phosphates - 1.0 ppm
Calcium - 480 ppm
Alkalinity - 136 ppm
Nitrates - 5 ppm, but really hard for me to tell using the color chart.
Temp- 79.2

 

[brandon429]

I truly would

Kill the algae first so that its gone

Buy low range Hanna po4 checker and make po4 ideal by exporting all waste reserves if applicable and or using gfo to keep it in line. Its too high now

Make sure using zero Tds source water
Others wouldn't kill the algae off first, but just do the po4 control

They'd recommend you keep nitrates lower than 5-7 but not dead zero.

 

[CoralFreak_350]

How bad is bad? If you could post a picture that would be best so we could help identify how bad it really is. Also what are you feeding how often etc.... We need to know how much is going into the tank and what is your filtration like to help remove it. Also lighting schedule

 

[RZ5T]

Thanks man. I'm using the Hanna high range PO4 tester. I use rodi water that reads 0 ppm. I'm really having difficulty pinning down where the source of phosphates are coming from. I also ordered bellaphos but it states that too much can drop the p.h. So I've only added about 3/4 cup in a media bag. This is a 125 gallon with a 20 gallon sump.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Phosphates should be between .05-.03
Your going to need to run a GFO or Lanthanum product. GFO requires a reactor or sump with constant slow moving water. Lanthanum is a liquid product added to the water. I use SeaKlear.

 

[RZ5T]

I've attached a photo of the algae. For food I use cobalt aquatics marine omni flake and I use a pinch a day. For filtration all I'm using is the super reef octopus 3000 INT. I use t5 lighting. 2 blue plus kick on at 11 am and shut off at 9 pm. The other bulbs include 2 actinic, 1 purple plus and 1 coral plus that run from 12 pm to 8 pm.

 

[hybridazn]

If that reading of phosphate is correct you need to bring that down. Feed the fish a little less, run some gfo in a reactor for starters. Increase your clean up crew. Mexican turbo snails are absolute monsters at mowing down gha.

 

[RZ5T]

What gfo do you guys recommend?

 

[hybridazn]

High capacity gfo

 

[ngvu1]

Do you have any tangs in there to eat the algae off? I am not sure but the there are types of algae that looks like gha, but the yellow tangs or turbo snail would not eat because they die when eat that. I used to have that type of algae in my 28 gallon jbj. And I am sorry to say but this looks so much like what I had.....