PO4 less than 0.03, still have nuisance algae.

[rekian]

Just tested my tank PO4, is less than 0.03 but seem like nuisance algae is still growing. Still cycling the tank, 3 weeks old now.

Attached a picture, is that hair algae?

Currently on the 24w white T5 during the day and 2 x 24W blue T5 during the night. The light routine okay?

Dosing dry bacteria from henry initially (2 weeks), now dosing microlift special blend.

Was using NSW, now toping up with saltwater mix.

Any advise?

[Gouldian]

Hi,

Beside the usual issues such as do not stock too fast especially during cycling, do not overfeed, use RO/DI or Distilled water and addPO4 remover; you may want to read the articles below that will answer why you PO4 reading is low.

http://www.algone.com/articles/technical-aquarium-information/aquarium-phosphate

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

Hope that helps.

[rekian]

If nuisance algae is still growing? what can be the contributing factors?

[Gouldian]

LRs may be leaching phosphate, its part of cycling.

For me, I will torment the hair algae until the are totally gone. Besides through above, I will continously brush them off.

[Aldrick]

May i know for the hair algae if we brush it off will it spread to other part of tank??I am currently having hair algae problem at the top part of live rocks but i use pluck with no gd result.

[dachkie]

get the vaccum from gemsurf, i cleaned my rocks milky white , i was having the same issues, 0 no3 0 po4

[rekian]

get the vaccum from gemsurf, i cleaned my rocks milky white , i was having the same issues, 0 no3 0 po4

Vacuum the hair algae out? Izzit strong enough? Do you think is advisable to throw in cheato to compete for nutrient? I should only add in live stock or coral after the hair algae problem is gone right? Can add in cleaner crew after I am sure the ammonia and nitrite is 0?

[Gouldian]

May i know for the hair algae if we brush it off will it spread to other part of tank??I am currently having hair algae problem at the top part of live rocks but i use pluck with no gd result.

I have never encounter that, as I usually off the pumps and wavemaker, brush them off and siphon them out.

[rekian]

May i know for the hair algae if we brush it off will it spread to other part of tank??I am currently having hair algae problem at the top part of live rocks but i use pluck with no gd result.

I think it does, The live rock with hair algae is near my wavemaker. Second week onward I can see rock along the wave path seem to be getting it.

[Aldrick]

Thanks Bros for the info,Any idea how to stop the hair algae?

[Guest]

How old is your light tube?. If it is used too long and you didn't change it, the change in light spectrum will cause algae growth as well.

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[Aldrick]

My lights is 7months old and recently i have change 2tubes of new ati blueplus.Right now the hair algae only grow from the top part n whatever corals i put there soon will get cover by them also

[rekian]

My T5 is 3 month old but changing to LED soon.

[sherman]

Do water change every other day.

Plug out those long hair algae.

Run phos remover or use Good Bye PO4.

And keep some cleanup crew like turbo snail , abalone and \

sea urchin.

I have the same issue 6 months ago

[sherman]

What test kit you using?

My Salifert kit tell me zero also.

[peacemaker]

Algae X from Fauna Marin works for me, but more importantly, solve the problem by the root cause, which is the source for nutrients.

[rekian]

Using salifert kit. Tank still cycling, no live stock at all. I am dosing PO4. Doing water change tml with saltwater mix. Currently is NSW.

Can't seem to upload photo. Got some upload error 500

[sherman]

If you can afford get Hanna tester for PO4 measurement and Red Sea professional series tester for NO3 measurement

[finind]

waiting for the astro snail to help me out ... turbo snail day dream all the way

phosguard cum rowaphos running in fluidizer still cannot keep the alage at bay ... jin jialat

only 2 fish and target feed few pallet once a day ..... gods knows what happen

[brojj]

0 does bot mean it is really 0. Get another brand of test kit to check, one that can test lower range. D&D or hana checker. U will be surprised by the reading. Had that happen to me too, last time.

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[rekian]

waiting for the astro snail to help me out ... turbo snail day dream all the way

phosguard cum rowaphos running in fluidizer still cannot keep the alage at bay ... jin jialat

only 2 fish and target feed few pallet once a day ..... gods knows what happen

My turbo snail also day dreaming!!! If they still don't do work gonna throw them into the sea.

0 does bot mean it is really 0. Get another brand of test kit to check, one that can test lower range. D&D or hana checker. U will be surprised by the reading. Had that happen to me too, last time.

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where can get hana checker?

[Greenmariner]

waiting for the astro snail to help me out ... turbo snail day dream all the way

phosguard cum rowaphos running in fluidizer still cannot keep the alage at bay ... jin jialat

only 2 fish and target feed few pallet once a day ..... gods knows what happen

I find that the best snails are cowry snails. They are very effective in shearing off hair algae from live rocks. The sheared rock will looked white again. But these cowries cost $5 apiece & the only consistent source is Coral Farm.

[finind]

bought 3 astrea snails from ah beng last weekend and 2 hermit crab from AM few days ago

thanks to these felle .... mange to clean up the rock mostly except one bunch of greeny which seems a bit different from hair algae

astrea seems more effective this time

what to feed them if algae run low?

[rainmalawi]

I find that the best snails are cowry snails. They are very effective in shearing off hair algae from live rocks. The sheared rock will looked white again. But these cowries cost $5 apiece & the only consistent source is Coral Farm.

I will look out for cowry snails then. My turbo snails may not be eating the clumps of algae which is appearing here and there in my tank. Glass also start to have bits of algae growing now.