Hair algae problem

[1fastrock]

Hello everyone. I’m looking for a little help with my tank. It is a year old and is a 90 gallon reef setup with 7 small fish in it. I have been doing everything I can to get rid of this hair algae but seem to not be able to get it under control. My nitrates are at 4.88 could that be the cause of my problem or is it something else?

 

[brmreefer]

Your NO3 (4.88 ppm) is at a good level. I personally stay at or below 5 ppm NO3.

A few things come to mind:

- Source water: Is it RODI. If "yes," then check the output TDS. Should be zero. If not zero, then change the filters.

- Phosphate (PO4) level: What is the system's PO4? Elevated PO4 levels will contribute to the issue.

- Manually remove what can be reached. Scale back any heavy feeding if this applies.

 

[Hermie]

pics?

 

[javisaman]

What type of lighting do you use?
Remove as much algae as possible, then measure the phosphate and nitrate the next day. You might not have enough competing with the algae.

 

[Jekyl]

I had the same problem in my 90 at around the same age. Lasted 2 or 3 months and then disappeared forever. Nitrates being at 5 is good but probably being consumed rapidly by the GHA. Skim wet, remove what you can during water changes using your siphon and a toothbrush. Have faith, it will go away.

 

[1fastrock]

Thanks got the replies everyone it’s encouraging to know there’s hope. I checked my tds and it said it has 6 coming in and 1 out so it’s probably time to change that out?

I am running 2 kessils in the tank and only have them in for like 5 hours I believe at minimal intensity. Is that too much. I can check the exact program I am running in the am.

I think they covered most of the questions. I am waiting for my Hanna test refills for phosphate them I’ll try to get a reading of that too

 

[javisaman]

Yea you need 0 TDS, while it's nearly impossible to know what's causing the reading > 0, it could be the cause of your algae problems. With the kessils, do you run a program that's white heavy?

 

[1fastrock]

My lights are 2 kessil a360 we and the schedule is

4:00: 20 color
20 intensity
6:00: 25 color
20 intensity
7:00: 25 color
25 intensity
Until 8:00 then the lights turn back off

 

[1fastrock]

Any thoughts on this lighting schedule

 

[Garf]

I can’t see any algae munchers. Have you got any?

 

[alysak6075]

An easy way to get it under control is to get a brown seahare. After its done eating all the HA just feed it nori sheets. I dont run a tank without one now.

 

[1fastrock]

Hey everyone. Still having this issue I added an urchin and a bunch of snails and hermit crabs. The light schedule stayed the same as well.

 

[Garf]

Hey everyone. Still having this issue I added an urchin and a bunch of snails and hermit crabs. The light schedule stayed the same as well.

Pull it out with your hands and get them elbows wet.