Hair algae but low nitartes & phosphates

fishkeeprian · 04/12/2018, 05:25 AM

Hello,

My nitrates in my holding/QT are undetectable (salifert test kit) and my phosphates test at .006ppm (Hanna Low range Phosphorus tester).

I have a fair amount of hair algae on the back wall of my tank, and along one side, so is it this algae that is probably consuming all my nutrients?

I am worried as I have some corals I am qting in there and I don't want to hit problems with an ultra-low nutrient tank.

I do feed the tank every day with reef roids, it is mixed with a couple of chalices, sps and zoas.

Should I start removing the algae so it stops absorbing all the nutrients, and then what? I have no fish in their and only have four small turbo snails.

With the above parameters where should, I pitch the big 3 parameters i.e Alk, mag 7 calcium so I don't cause any issues with my corals.

Advice is welcome thanks.

sde1500 · 04/12/2018, 06:52 AM

Try a little manual removal. And just aim for the suggested params. Roughly 8 dkh, 420 calcium and 1350 mag. Likely the daily coral feeding is what fuels the algae growth as well.

fishkeeprian · 04/12/2018, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

Try a little manual removal. And just aim for the suggested params. Roughly 8 dkh, 420 calcium and 1350 mag. Likely the daily coral feeding is what fuels the algae growth as well.

Tbh I don't mind the algae I just don't want it to be consuming all my nutrients and it out competing my corals.

hegeh · 04/12/2018, 08:11 AM

Im having the same issue. Having ats/fuge help abit. Still monitoring mine

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

bertoni · 04/12/2018, 08:47 PM

I'd consider harvesting some of the alga, as suggested, and reducing the feeding might be appropriate, too.

This article covers all the water parameters:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Alkalinity in the 7-11 dKH range, calcium around 400 ppm, and magnesium around 1270 ppm should be fine. ±50 ppm on the calcium and alkalinity should be acceptable.

RobZilla04 · 04/13/2018, 04:30 AM

An abundance of hair algae is a sure sign of excess Nitrates/Phosphates. The test results are giving false low results because the algae is consuming them so quickly. Figure out if you are adding them through excessive feeding and/or poor husbandry.

Water changes will be the best/fastest way to quickly reduce them.

ClownNut · 04/13/2018, 06:09 AM

hair algae are very basic algae, they can use nutrient very effectively. the reason you have low reading because the fact the hair algae use up the nutrient in the water column.

Scubajoe1 · 04/17/2018, 08:45 PM

Throw in a lawnmower blenny. Let it feast

FullBoreReefer · 04/17/2018, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubajoe1

Throw in a lawnmower blenny. Let it feast

Eh. I’d correct the issue first before a bandaid.

idan555 · 04/17/2018, 10:17 PM

I have the same problem. I'm adding algae scrubber now. I hope it'll help

clevername · 04/19/2018, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullBoreReefer

Eh. I’d correct the issue first before a bandaid.

I have the same thing going on with my tank. Been overfeeding way too long.

Everyone is right, false low reading and no export.

Personally i dimmed the lights 50%, doing 30% - 50% weekly water changes (small tank) and bought a phosphate reactor.

The phosphate reactor (IMO) is the best addon. This will strip the water column of PO4 and keep it there. REMEMBER, when you starve out alges (lights off) your releasing all the nutrients BACK into the water. You need to constantly be removing them.

I also ordered Reef Vibrant (which you can do your own research on)

04/12/2018, 05:25 AM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Hair algae but low nitartes & phosphates Hello, My nitrates in my holding/QT are undetectable (salifert test kit) and my phosphates test at .006ppm (Hanna Low range Phosphorus tester). I have a fair amount of hair algae on the back wall of my tank, and along one side, so is it this algae that is probably consuming all my nutrients? I am worried as I have some corals I am qting in there and I don't want to hit problems with an ultra-low nutrient tank. I do feed the tank every day with reef roids, it is mixed with a couple of chalices, sps and zoas. Should I start removing the algae so it stops absorbing all the nutrients, and then what? I have no fish in their and only have four small turbo snails. With the above parameters where should, I pitch the big 3 parameters i.e Alk, mag 7 calcium so I don't cause any issues with my corals. Advice is welcome thanks. __________________ If in doubt ask!

04/12/2018, 06:52 AM	#2
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Try a little manual removal. And just aim for the suggested params. Roughly 8 dkh, 420 calcium and 1350 mag. Likely the daily coral feeding is what fuels the algae growth as well. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

04/12/2018, 08:47 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd consider harvesting some of the alga, as suggested, and reducing the feeding might be appropriate, too. This article covers all the water parameters: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm Alkalinity in the 7-11 dKH range, calcium around 400 ppm, and magnesium around 1270 ppm should be fine. ±50 ppm on the calcium and alkalinity should be acceptable. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/13/2018, 04:30 AM	#6
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	An abundance of hair algae is a sure sign of excess Nitrates/Phosphates. The test results are giving false low results because the algae is consuming them so quickly. Figure out if you are adding them through excessive feeding and/or poor husbandry. Water changes will be the best/fastest way to quickly reduce them. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/13/2018, 06:09 AM	#7
ClownNut Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,859	hair algae are very basic algae, they can use nutrient very effectively. the reason you have low reading because the fact the hair algae use up the nutrient in the water column. __________________ Dont let me know where u lived if u have a nice pair of clownfish in ur tank!^_^ Clown kidnaper^_^ Current Tank Info: 300DD, SM200/RD3,ATI 60-8X80+4X75, 2 Sea Sweep & 4X6105 & 6208

04/12/2018, 08:11 AM	#4
hegeh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 223	Im having the same issue. Having ats/fuge help abit. Still monitoring mine Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

04/17/2018, 08:45 PM	#8
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	Throw in a lawnmower blenny. Let it feast __________________ Scubajoe 180 Gallon reef tank with coast to coast Herbie overflow. 60 Gallon sump with 9" filter sock. 36" lifereef skimmer, activated carbon filter. Emperor Aquatics 40W UV Sterilizer Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reed tank, coast to coast overflow, herbie overflow. Life reef sump and 36" life reef skimmer, GHL Doser 2, Neptune Apex reef controller, Auto topoff, Spectrapure RO system with a Tunze RO controller. activated carbon and no more GFO.

04/17/2018, 10:17 PM	#10
idan555 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 174	I have the same problem. I'm adding algae scrubber now. I hope it'll help