Help with this algae!!!!

[beamer]

Got this hair like algae growing and this other weird algae growing on my rocks. I've never had this before in any of my tanks. It's been up for about 3 months and lights are only on for 6 hours. It keeps growing and I wanna know how to get rid of it before it gets worse!

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af108/sajr08/aaeff99a.jpg

[BSJF]

Increase flow in the tank. Check your nitrate and phosphate levels. If your bulbs are old, replace them.

Do you have macro algae growing? Is it doubling in size every 2-4 weeks? If not, get a stronger light on it. The macro algae will use the nutrients that this crap depends on.

[Inland Reef]

How often do you do water changes & what %?

I've been dealing with some GHA & bryopsis.
I had old bulbs, so replaced those. Hand removed what algae I could, increased the frequency & higher volume water changes (2x per week & 20ish % volume). It's done wonders and my algae problems are almost solved.

Hope that helps a bit.

[LuckySingh]

u got to lower ur nutrients.......check ur light bulbs aswell if old replace em...

[ErikH]

I agree on the flow aspect. I have seen that stuff in lower flow areas before.

[beamer]

Lights are only two months old. I noticed that it does only happen in tank with low flow areas... Water change was done about two weeks ago and I need to do another one. How do I remove phosphate and nutrients?

[BSJF]

Remove nitrates and phosphates with water changes. If that isn't enough, you can use a phospate remover pad if you have a place to put it. Don't add any extra chemicals to the water, and use a basic salt like Intant Ocean. Pro salts add extra nutrients you don't need right now.

[beamer]

What about bionic? I use that.

[FireWater]

How much? Do you dose Mag with the B-ioinc? What are your Calc, Alk, and Mag levels? Do you NEED to be dosing as much as you are?

I have found that frequent smaller changes help to reduce the need to dose as much. Also you will need to up the water change in both frequency and amount for at least a little while to get a head. Also, do you blow off your rocks with a turkey baster or anything while doing changes or at any other time? I have found that helps as well to avoid detritus and stuff from settling as bad which can cause algae in those areas.

[BSJF]

Yip, turkey baster is your friend. I doubt you need to dose with bionic. If the tank is only likely stocked with corals, you don't need it.

[beamer]

I so use a turkey baster but my fan blows all my sand and detritus and sand all over the place so it just lands back on my rocks... I haven't checked my levels and I guess I have to do water changes once a week now... At least until the tank clears up. And why shouldn't I use bionic?

[beamer]

Ok so I did a water change of ten gallons. How dten should I be doing my water changes for this algae to go away? And can I use water that you buy for drinking like at h.e.b and stuff? Like the machines that dispense water?

[FireWater]

It may take a while to get a head of it. Just keep up with regular changes. If you are talking about the water at the dispensers then yes, but I would test it prior to using any of it. Sometimes you get lucky with the quality and sometimes you don't.

The b-ionic question. If your tank is not using it then you don't need to dose it. Dosing too much of anything can cause issues. Regular testing of the water will give you an answer if your tank needs adjustment to calcium and alkalinity issues. I have in my own experience found that if I did small regular changes (I do two 3 gallon changes per week on my 30g) I have no need to add any extra supplements to the water.

[Chaz the Impaler]

Also, have you tried introducing some Macro algae to compete with the slime?

I have some dragon's breath if you would like some, just let me know.

[beamer]

Where can I place this macro algae since I have a canister filter

[grouch]

All of the above to cure your reason for the algee in the first place. Mexican Turbos will eat the hair algee and bryopsis as well. If your corals are not secure though they will knock them around, they are like bulldozers, I put 1 per 20 gal and they get a handle on it quick.

[Chaz the Impaler]

Many Macro algae can be kept directly in the main tank as they are ornamental.

+1 on Turbosnails also, but use sparingly or they starve.

[beamer]

Oh ok cool I'll try all this and let You guys know how it going!