Red And Green Hair Algae?

[Shelby]

How do I get rid of red and green hair algae on my live rock? There is nothing else in the tank except a couple of tiny feather dusters.

 

[-Nemo-]

What is your phosphate and nitRATe reading? How long do you leave the light on for?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

As above, the main cause of algae is high phosphates along with high nitrates. I have found that most marine nuisance algae growth is triggered by either ammonia or phosphate (though nitrate needs to be there too).

If I remember correctly this is a fairly new setup so it will go through a few stages of algae growth as things settle down. Best thing to do is check all your water stats (including phosphate). If phosphates and nitrates are high then regular water changes and the use of phosphate removal media will help.

In the short term try removing as much as you can by hand. What kind of cuc do you have as well?

 

[Shelby]

Ammonia 0
dkh 9 possibly 10. 9 is more greenish I think
Phosphate .25
calcium 360


I don't think my phosphates are bad really but then I don't know what is good either! there is nothing for CUC yet. I would like some ideas on that if possible? I don't want to buy a whole "pack" of them like a lot of places online sell. I just want to get a few things here and there as I don't want anything to die due to lack of food. I'm going to have to add some more "live" rock to try to liven up the rock I have which is mostly dead except for the algae issue and 3 or 4 tiny little feather dusters.

 

[seffieuk]

Shelby, dont worry, we all get these things - your tank hasn't finished its cycle yet, so panic not

Seffie x

 

[Shelby]

My water stats haven't changed in awhile but I just added a new peice of live rock. I was a little irked at the guy I bought it from as he made sure there were no hitchhikers I was kind of looking forward to see what was in there. And he wouldn't let me put it in a bucket with some of the water. He bagged it instead. So I guess I'll have to see what happens with that.

The algae is so short at the moment I can't get ahold of it but it is spreading like crazy. I would like to be able to get rid of it before it takes over.