Lighting Schedule question regarding algae growth

[Coral Kai]

Light: XR30 G2 about 10 inches above the water
Tank: WB Peninsula Mini 15
Testing Kit: Hanna for both Phosphate and Nitrate
Water: Rodi water with 0 TDS

I don't think I overfeed because i get 0.01 in Phosphate and 0 in the Nitrate (I think I'm doing the testing right). I have to keep vacuuming the hair algae off my sand and it keeps growing back at a pretty fast rate.

I do run a pretty long light schedule because I wake up early and sleep late. 7am - 11pm. I have recently changed this to 11am to 11pm

Any advice would be appreciated. I tossed away my petco supplements and will now be using Red Sea for Mag/Alk/Calcium. Hopefully my new lighting schedule also helps. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Impala67]

Down the lights big time. I would buy a timer to turn on your lights at 9am and shut them off at about 7:30 pm. Also is you can down the par about 5 to 10 percent for about 4 or 5 days. A good treatment before you vacuum take 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide and lightly put it on the tuffs of it I would turn off all pumps at this time. No more than 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide every 5 days.

 

[Impala67]

Very beautiful tank by the way.

 

[Coral Kai]

Down the lights big time. I would buy a timer to turn on your lights at 9am and shut them off at about 7:30 pm. Also is you can down the par about 5 to 10 percent for about 4 or 5 days. A good treatment before you vacuum take 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide and lightly put it on the tuffs of it I would turn off all pumps at this time. No more than 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide every 5 days.

Yeah I lowered my intensity...r u saying my current light schedule is still too much? Any suggestions on the hours I should do?

I'll try the lights 1st... too scared to dose hydrogen peroxide

 

[Impala67]

I agree hydrogen peroxide can be scary but is harmful to corals if kept under 1 ml. On the lighting schedule I would keep it no more than 10 hours a day. Also reduce the whites and greens algae loves those colors.

 

[minus9]

Your lighting schedule shouldn’t exceed 12hrs. 8 to 12hrs is a pretty good range, but it all depends on quality and intensity. You have nutrients, it’s just with your light schedule, you’re fueling the bad algae to grow and consume those nutrients before other organisms can utilize them. Also, add a few CUC to help with the algae while you reduce your light schedule.

 

[Coral Kai]

Your lighting schedule shouldn’t exceed 12hrs. 8 to 12hrs is a pretty good range, but it all depends on quality and intensity. You have nutrients, it’s just with your light schedule, you’re fueling the bad algae to grow and consume those nutrients before other organisms can utilize them. Also, add a few CUC to help with the algae while you reduce your light schedule.

thanks! yeah i will have to accept that i cant look at my tank at 7am and expect lights to be there at 10pm too...thanks!