Help - critical - tank is in really bad shape

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

So, a couple of weeks ago my tank became seriously infested with algae. I discovered that my DI resin was shot. I replaced it and I'm now getting 0 TDS out of my system again. But I've manually removed pounds of algae and done water changes. The stuff grows back quickly like the plague. What is it? How do I make it stop? My po4 is currently .05

Dragon52 · Dec 17, 2018

There are some posts here about Vibrant, haven't had to use it so far on my tank.

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

Just read about it. Probably will pick some up.

I wish I knew what kind of algae it is. I wonder where the nutrients are now coming from to continue to fuel such growth

Dragon52 · Dec 17, 2018

Looks like Green hair Algae. How much are you feeding? You could also leave the lights off for a few days

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

Same amount as always, 3 cubes a day. 126g display.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 17, 2018

I’ve never seen that stuff before. Crazy.

#reefsquad.

Dragon52 · Dec 17, 2018

Jeremy Luke said:
Same amount as always, 3 cubes a day. 126g display.

What is your nitrate level?

code4 · Dec 17, 2018

Can you describe the texture of that algae? It does not look like the hair algae I had. Weird.

Shelley

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

saltyfilmfolks said:
I’ve never seen that stuff before. Crazy.

#reefsquad.

Me either. This is my third reef tank. I've never had anything like this. This tank has been up for almost 2 years. I've not had any issues. It's terrible.

I don't know what my nitrate level is. I haven't tested that since I cycled the tank. I guess I'll test it.

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

It's definitely not hair algae. It's grows in long, thin strands that are flat like leaves.

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

I'll try and get a closer shot of some

code4 · Dec 17, 2018

Jeremy Luke said:
It's definitely not hair algae. It's grows in long, thin strands that are flat like leaves.

I will be following. Interested in this stuff. Very weird.

Shelley

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

Jeremy Luke · Dec 17, 2018

It's like reef lettuce.

EmdeReef · Dec 17, 2018

Try googling caulerpa prolifera, sometimes the leaves will resemble ulva (sea lettuce) due to lights and nutrients. Also, it is one of the few species that will in fact grow like plague, even overnight. Is the algae you have attached to substrate or rocks or floating?

If you could grab one whole leaf and take pics outside tank would be a bit easier to ID.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 18, 2018

I’ve found no 100% match with a name.
But a few threads with 100% picture match.
Tuxedo urchin appearantly will wipe it out.

Jeremy Luke · Dec 18, 2018

saltyfilmfolks said:
I’ve found no 100% match with a name.
But a few threads with 100% picture match.
Tuxedo urchin appearantly will wipe it out.

I've got a tuxedo urchin there. There's literally pounds of the stuff. It's pretty loose laying in the sand bed. It pulls off the rock easily.

I'm going to do 25% water changes every other day for a week and continue to remove by hand.

Some one else recommended I basically tear down the tank and peroxide the rocks. I hope it doesnt come to that. I've got a few decent sized acro colonies on those rocks.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 18, 2018

Usually if you mow it down they keep it down.
I hope so.

stacksoner · Dec 18, 2018

This stuff sells @ $15 per golf ball sized pinch and thrives on nitrate and phosphate in your system.

https://www.algaebarn.com/shop/macroalgae/clean-sea-lettuce/

People have separate refugiums, which provide a controlled environment for macroalgae like this to exist and help keep the tank humming along.