Nuisance algae id/help please

[klwheat]

OK...so this stuff has been in the tank for a couple of months now. At first I thought it was just a hair algae and treated it as such. However, once I pulled the rocks out to scrub them a bit, this stuff is a bit weird. It has a "root system" of some sort going on. I scrub the algae with a toothbrush, but then I have to get tweezers out to pull the "roots" off the rock...they splay along the rock from patch to patch. Not sure exactly what it is or what to do about it.
As far as tank parameters (since that was my first question too):
Nitrates 0.25-0.75
Phos 0.02-0.04
Mag 1220
Calc 430
KH 7.7-8.2
(last several readings range using red sea tests for all).
Any suggestions? TIA!
271082710927110

[alton]

Set up a Phosban reactor, just don't use too much

[klwheat]

i've used phosban before (I believe that was the brand). I'm out at the moment, but ordering more. Any idea how much gfo to start with for a 90 gallon system? I was never able to get below 0.04 or so with the phosban and it didn't seem to last very long before it was exhausted.

[Dkray944]

Does it look like this?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3468+490+659&pcatid=659

[klwheat]

Not really Dkray...it's more "fluffy" if that makes any sense.

[klwheat]

Picked up some of Thrive's phosphate remover to use while I'm waiting on the gfo...small dosing of course. Has anyone used it?

[alton]

Sorry I forgot and switched from Phosban to Rowaphos, it is much stronger. 250ml for 300, when I went to my second 250 I noticed my coralline disappearing so I stopped

[Zoofan]

Do you have anything in the tank that seems to eat it?

[klwheat]

Nothing seems to touch it. Have snails of various sorts, hermit crabs, an urchin, a bristle tooth tang...they all ignore it. Tried a sea hare but he didn't go for it either. Added a couple of emerald crabs today and one seemed like he might be eating it...will have to wait and see.

[Noob]

Think i have the same algae stuff in my tank.
I pull as much as possible with my weekly water changes.
I was thinking it was hair algae.
I used to have it bad but once I started vacuuming my sand it decreased a bit.
I have also tried phosgaurd and the phospahte pad but they dont seem to have any positive effect.

[Dean]

I bet a One Spot Foxface would keep it mowed down.

[klwheat]

i actually had a one spot foxface, but it ate a brain I used to have...haven't been brave enough to try again.

[Dean]

Eek! The one I had was a model citizen. You just never know.

[klwheat]

May end up giving it a try...but I think that'll be a last resort...lol

[Troy Valentine]

What type of Phosphate kit are you using? I have a Hanna total phosphorus kit I can test your water with to get a more accurate reading. .20 and .40 is very high for a reef tank. Have you notice your SPS or LPS growth stunted? With PO4 levels that high it will usually retard calcification.

[klwheat]

Troy, thanks for catching that. I went back an edited the initial post for accuracy. It's a red sea test kit. It's actually 0.02-0.04ppm normally - although this week after I was gone for 10 days, it's up to 0.08 as my wife was feeding a bit more and I'm out of GFO.
Water change soon anyway...but don't think that small bump is affecting this algae as I've been battling it for a couple of months now. Just added my first Thrive phosphate remover to the ATO water yesterday since it was in stock locally and not the GFO figured I'd give it a try. I'll test in a couple of days and see if it's making any difference.

[StevenSeas]

Larry, the thrive phosphate remover is extremely effective ime. It is lanthum chloride, which will chemically bond and stay bonded with phosphates untill your skimmer, or filter socks remove it from the system. The number one thing with that product is go slow, I believe a few years back they changed their dosing recommendations to reflect this and have you add it via ato water. Otherwise it does quickly bind all phosphates but in doing so it drains the dissolved O2 of the system. But if you add it via the ato there should be no concerns.

Ps we need to go diving sometime...

[klwheat]

Ok...update on the thrive...1/2 capful in 2.5 gallon ato that lasts right about 48 hours. 48 hours later, phosphates reading between 0-0.02. Pretty effective apparently. Let's see if it makes a dent in this stuff. No apparent effect on corals or fish at this point. Oh yea, and Steven...we definitely need to go dive!

[12_Egg_Omelette]

Chemical removes of phosphates like that scares me, I'm usually pretty aggressive but in a small tank like mine. I'm a water change first kinda guy. I'm holding a loaded gun, glad to see it's been working well for you though. I haven't heard much on thrive but I'm glad someone on here has. It's recently peaked my interest a couple times.

[klwheat]

ok...day 5 of the thrive phosphate remover...1/2 capful in 2.5 gallon ato that empties approx every 48 hours. So...phosphates still 0.02 or less (kinda tough to tell if it's 0.02 or just 0). Can't tell if its having any impact on that nasty green stuff yet :(
Only side effect I've noticed so far is that my goni doesn't seem to be very happy. Now, that said, I've also just added in the CGOC corals and dropped the lights initially and will be bringing them back up slowly for 2 weeks. No idea of the culprit...but gonna have to keep a close eye on that goni.