Sudden Green Hair Algae Explosion

[Dom]

.08 ain’t the Po4 bro.

That number was yesterday. I'm testing again this evening to see if it is trending up. But generally speaking, a PO4 of .08 is something to be addressed... isn't it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That number was yesterday. I'm testing again this evening to see if it is trending up. But generally speaking, a PO4 of .08 is something to be addressed... isn't it?

No. It ain’t bad realativly. I’ve hit .25 more then once or twice. And had no algae or cyano in the display or explosion of anything.

 

[cracker]

Thanks Salty ! That was driving me crazy ! Ok I know from experience dry rock regardless where it was mined can grow HA like crazy.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks Salty ! That was driving me crazy ! Ok I know from experience dry rock regardless where it was mined can grow HA like crazy.

No worries. I’ve never had added dry rock explode stuff. Pretty weird. I’ve only gone slow additions too.
I have a pice if rock from a friend that is actually from the California coast. A fisherman friend actually pulled it out. It was dried too.
Hmm.

 

[WallyB]

Let see a photo of your Algae Explosion to see if it's really bad.

Here was my Algae Explosion (few years ago)....Happened very quickly.

Wasn't mined rock, but Live Rock (killed) and then restarted.

Before and During the Bloom my Phosphates were 0.00. (since the Algae was consuming the Phosphates)

I have two theories why it happened. (Notice the Sand didn't get the Algae)

-> Rock Leaching Phosphates and Nutrients (all caused by over feeding, fish, and corals over a period of time before the bloom kicked in)
-> and Too much RED Color Light turned up on LED lighting (Algae Accelerator)

I plucked, and plucked, the Algae [inside tank] but could not keep up.

Eventually I did what one posted said above. Remove rocks, scrubbed, rinsed, soaked, scrubbed, re-soaked, and put back.

Things got much next Round...few months later, (SAME ROCKS.... newly arranged after put back)

Just want to give you hope you can get thru this.

 

[WallyB]

That number was yesterday. I'm testing again this evening to see if it is trending up. But generally speaking, a PO4 of .08 is something to be addressed... isn't it?

Don't worry much about your Phosphates (0.08 is great, and during Algae bloom your reading will be inaccurate anyway)

Just let your NEW rocks age (after you scrub and rinse the GHA off). You may need a few passes (don't let it get out of control)
Whatever you do.....Don't reuse the rinse/scrub water in your tank.

It takes time for New DEAD Rocks to mature. ANY KIND OF New DEAD Rock.

I currently have a tank where P=0.95 and N=50, and I have no Green Hair Algae. So N&P are a factor but not a guarantee for Green Hair Algae. (Certain additives like Aminos, coral foods are)

I recently bought a NEW piece of CaribSea Shapes rock and it started to get slimy BROWN (While the older rocks were fine)

Really yucky brown that stood out since it was the only piece in a mature tank (Other rocks were older/mature and coralline covered), my N=15, P=0.25 in the Tank.

I took it out since I couldn't watch it get so brown (amongst other mature rocks that were not brown but purple)

Put the New CaribSea Rock for 4 weeks in a bucket with powerhead, airstone, and water changes and it cleared up.
But at soon as I put it back in the tank (exposed to lights again) it started same brown algae bloom.

But 2nd time it cleared up really fast.
And it's my favourite rock now.

(Top left piece) Still not as mature as the other rocks, but no longer brown...Coraline slowly build up.

By the way, same rocks as I posted in previous post (with Green Hair Algae Bloom), but years later in a new tank started a few months ago.

Algae, Cyano, is part of a tank maturing. Happens to more people than will admit it.

I HATE.......but don't fear Cyano (it clears up)
This is the worst I've ever had (just before the Green Hair Algae Bloom).

but I do worry about Green Hair Algae getting out of control. (since it was a nightmare for me)

New rocks, New Sand (dead or alive) just are more Algae Prone (since dead, leaching, or curing) and take time to cycle to maturity (to clear up).

All the best with your Algae Battle, you are not the only one.

 

[Dom]

Let see a photo of your Algae Explosion to see if it's really bad.

Here was my Algae Explosion (few years ago)....Happened very quickly.

Wasn't mined rock, but Live Rock (killed) and then restarted.

Just want to give you hope you can get thru this.

Wow... that is a LOT of algae. Perhaps I didn't have an explosion! LOL

I have GHA, but it is NOTHING like what you have going on here.

I know this will self correct over time.

As I mentioned previously, there are a pair of tomato clowns in the tank. Generally speaking, clown fish are very hearty and will weather the storm causing this problem... whatever it is.

I've been doing weekly 25% water changes, reduced feeding, and only keep the light on long enough to wake them and feed them. I also have a 36watt UV sterilizer running.

Patience is our friend in this hobby.

 

[WallyB]

I kind of thought you didn't have an Explosion.

When things settle down/stabilize, you should consider something that I did to help me control future algae.
A little Algae Control help for your 15 Gallon setup (rocks/glass).
One small snail (Trochus are my favorites) and my best algae pruner (a TINY emerald crab). The crab may be too much if you don't have any visible algae.