ugh.... ALGAE! Please help

[gemini9]

Where could this phosphate be coming from? I'm somewhat of a light feeder, of only once per day and I don't overfeed. I use RODI water that tests clear for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and phosphates. Maybe it's my brand of food? I use Omega One Marine Flakes with Garlic and occasionally I'll throw in few Wardleys Shrimp Pellets for my crabs and nassarius, as they go after it like they are starving. Should I change my fish food?

 

[kilo5147]

Following

 

[Reefing Madness]

Did you use bought dry rock for your system?

 

[NanaReefer]

How bad are the phosphates? Numbers are always nice to have so we can better help you. Prepared foods always contain phosphates.

 

[gemini9]

In responding to ReefingMadness, I first set up my aquarium about 8 months ago. At the time, I used dry rock from BRS and as a result of my noobness, I did not clean the rock before adding it into my aquarium. You may remember my battle with nitrates for the longest time due to the die off from the rock. But given that has been 8 months ago, wouldn't it be safe to assume that all the phosphate from the dry rock has been eliminated by now?

To Answer NanaReefer, I have trouble reading the Phosphate test from API, but it looks to be about .25 maybe.

 

[sponge]

I remember going threw all that . Pulling off algae from rocks . Putting rocks in sealed bins for months with no lights.Doing unbelievable amounts of water changes ;but it would not go away.I wasted all that time . The very best natural algae remover, even from the rocks ;was a pencil urchin for me .

 

[kilo5147]

Coral safe reef safe?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Dry Rock can't have die off from it, if we are talking about BRS Dry Rock, and not dry live rock. And Dry Rock can and will leach phosphates into the tank for a very long time, if you don't remove it first.

 

[kilo5147]

What all phosphate remover can I put in a media bag and put in my sump

 

[sponge]

Coral safe reef safe?

The pencil urchin can be a bulldozer to frags that are just placed on rocks. It was worth the hassle of picking up loose frags. Compared to looking at an algae bloom,that made the Hudson River look nicer than my tank at that time.

 

[kilo5147]

They will eat ur coral?

 

[NanaReefer]

Dry Rock can't have die off from it, if we are talking about BRS Dry Rock, and not dry live rock. And Dry Rock can and will leach phosphates into the tank for a very long time, if you don't remove it first.

Been using BRS dry rock for 5yrs. NEVER had it leach phosphates. Your statement is unproven! Please consult BRS

 

[Nano man]

Natural approach

When my tank had hair algae I used to pull it off by hand and cutdown light cycle. Also the addition of trochus snails and scarlet hermit crabs were quite beneficial.
Hope that helps!

 

[bobstir]

you may also want to double check the water you get from your LFS -- to rule out bad source water. You never know

 

[reef916]

To remove hair algae sea hare is the best solution.