Ugly phase, hair algae problem or both?

[MacieKnis]

Hi everyone,
I know I definitely have an hair algae problem. My questions is, is some of it part of the new ugly phase as well?
My tank still isn’t reading Ammonia, Nitrates etc, so can I clean the tank if it isn’t ready for a water change? Or at least syphon the sand? Or should I continue to wait it out?
I transferred as much cycled water and rock with the live bacteria that I could. So I’m not sure what I should do. Clean it if it isn’t cycled? Or let it be and continue to let algae grow?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

If you watch the algae grow and do nothing, it will only get worse. Do you have any snails, hermits, aka clean up crew in the tank ?

Are you over feeding ? Have any test kit for phosphate and nitrate? High phosphate causes algae

 

[MacieKnis]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

If you watch the algae grow and do nothing, it will only get worse. Do you have any snails, hermits, aka clean up crew in the tank ?

Are you over feeding ? Have any test kit for phosphate and nitrate? High phosphate causes algae

I have 0 Nitrates
Phosphate is between .5 - 1.0
My CUC - two Turbo snails, 1 coral banded shrimp, 3 hermits, 1 conch, 1 Sally lightfoot crab. I’ve been using a toothbrush to brush off the extra long hair algae. Just wasn’t sure what else I can do, or is it just part of the phase?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

.5 - 1.0 ppm is high phosphate. This is the part we call husbandry. Do you have corals in the tank? I’d get a GFO reactor and SLOWLY bring down phosphate .

 

[MacieKnis]

.5 - 1.0 ppm is high phosphate. This is the part we call husbandry. Do you have corals in the tank? I’d get a GFO reactor and SLOWLY bring down phosphate .

I have a toadstool and hammer coral. What GFO do you recommend?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I like Rowaphos , but there is plenty to choose from that works equally well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone,
I know I definitely have an hair algae problem. My questions is, is some of it part of the new ugly phase as well?
My tank still isn’t reading Ammonia, Nitrates etc, so can I clean the tank if it isn’t ready for a water change? Or at least syphon the sand? Or should I continue to wait it out?
I transferred as much cycled water and rock with the live bacteria that I could. So I’m not sure what I should do. Clean it if it isn’t cycled? Or let it be and continue to let algae grow?

You have surface and hair algae and I dont suspect po4 elevated as I do the tank at or near a window- would this be correct?
Additionally the intensity of white seems a little bright and can be reduced with slight increase in Blue. If you are running red or green - reduce to under 5% as it promotes algae
Add some cleaners such as snails:
Astrea
cerith
nerite
cerith

Pin cushion urchin

A few Carribean blue leg hermits

 

[MacieKnis]

I like Rowaphos , but there is plenty to choose from that works equally well.

If I use this, will it lower phos too fast?

 

[MacieKnis]

You have surface and hair algae and I dont suspect po4 elevated as I do the tank at or near a window- would this be correct?
Additionally the intensity of white seems a little bright and can be reduced with slight increase in Blue. If you are running red or green - reduce to under 5% as it promotes algae
Add some cleaners such as snails:
Astrea
cerith
nerite
cerith

Pin cushion urchin

A few Carribean blue leg hermits

Po4 tested at .5- 1.0 which I learned is quite high.. whites are on at 25% blues are at 80%. No red or greens.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Po4 tested at .5- 1.0 which I learned is quite high.. whites are on at 25% blues are at 80%. No red or greens.

Reduce white to 20% (for now) and that is a bit high. . . . . . Is tank at or near a window?
For Phos- ChemiPure Elite will slowly reduce po4 and keep it in check

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

If I use this, will it lower phos too fast?

You want to start slow and test often. Once you get a feel of how much GFO to use , you can then dial it in to your desired number

 

[MacieKnis]

Reduce white to 20% (for now) and that is a bit high. . . . . . Is tank at or near a window?
For Phos- ChemiPure Elite will slowly reduce po4 and keep it in check

It is near a window, it doesn’t get much direct light. However I did order curtains and I’m waiting to install them. I think that should help as well. Will the ChemiPure Elite eliminate the po4? What Phosphate test kit do you recommend?

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is near a window, it doesn’t get much direct light. However I did order curtains and I’m waiting to install them. I think that should help as well. Will the ChemiPure Elite eliminate the po4? What Phosphate test kit do you recommend?

Its not the direct light and as suspected- its the UV that will penetrate blinds and shades and some curtains. Black paper against the side that faces the window will reduce algae issue drastically

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

so can I clean the tank if it isn’t ready for a water change?

I think you have the wrong idea about water changes... and cleaning the tank.

 

[MacieKnis]

I think you have the wrong idea about water changes... and cleaning the tank.

I’m all ears!