Carpet like algae covering live rocks

[crav]

My tank has a type of algae (similar to gha or turf from an ATS) covering all of the live rock. I tried cleaning some patches to see what happened, and it came back. My tank doesn`t have high nutrients, there`s an ATS running (produces about 1 to 2 fist sized balls of algae after 2 to 3 weeks).

My only solution is to increase light intensity on ATS to try and outcompete the algae on the rocks. I`ve already lowered white lights on display, leaving almost blue only lights. The fixture is a Maxspect Razor.

Anyone with similar experiences that has any idea of the cause?

 

[andrewey]

Unfortunately, given the level of algae, the nutrient (nitrates/phosphates) readings won't tell you much- they're measuring these values in the water column, but much of it is currently contained in the mass of the algae. Therefore, it's impossible to say what your nutrient levels were before this started, which is often the culprit of a hair algae explosion. There's a lot of ways to skin this cat, but I'm going to suggest you watch this video as to a primer of the different techniques for tackling your hair algae problem.

 

[kaceyo]

My tank has a type of algae (similar to gha or turf from an ATS) covering all of the live rock. I tried cleaning some patches to see what happened, and it came back. My tank doesn`t have high nutrients, there`s an ATS running (produces about 1 to 2 fist sized balls of algae after 2 to 3 weeks).

My only solution is to increase light intensity on ATS to try and outcompete the algae on the rocks. I`ve already lowered white lights on display, leaving almost blue only lights. The fixture is a Maxspect Razor.

Anyone with similar experiences that has any idea of the cause?

Pics or vid?

 

[crav]

You can see it here on the base of the hammer (I had the lights out, so it's closed):
also its on the rock (with pieces of sand attached. The coral on the left I had just cleaned with a toothbrush, that's why it's plug is white.

 

[crav]

more pics:

The spots where there's coralline are the spots where I cleaned with a toothbrush:

It was covering this GSP (you can see it on the side of the plug):

Basically it's a dark green fuzzy carpet...It doesn't get long at all, but covers anything that it can. SPS and LPS seem fine, but GSP and carpet green corals were affected. It also grew on the flesh of a spaghetti leather coral, near it's base.

 

[crav]

Pics or vid?

Pics uploaded above.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Does it float if you blow it off the rocks?

 

[fcmatt]

Where did your rock come from? I feel some rock people buy are just loaded with phos and stuff that cause a tank to be crazy for a long long time.

That is why the sheer majority of rock I have must be at least 15 years old. I know it. I trust it. And then i just buy 1 or 2 small pieces to seed it from diff places. Big difference in how my tank reacts in the early stages compared to when I was a rookie 20 odd years ago.

 

[crav]

Where did your rock come from? I feel some rock people buy are just loaded with phos and stuff that cause a tank to be crazy for a long long time.

That is why the sheer majority of rock I have must be at least 15 years old. I know it. I trust it. And then i just buy 1 or 2 small pieces to seed it from diff places. Big difference in how my tank reacts in the early stages compared to when I was a rookie 20 odd years ago.

I bought it from a LFS. It was dry rock.
My tank is 2 years old at this stage - still got frags because growth has been slow, lost a lot of coral to light changes, and I don`t have money to buy corals. Where I live, there`s no such thing as giving frags or selling them cheap, everyone wants to charge LFS prices for frags.

 

[crav]

Does it float if you blow it off the rocks?

Doesn`t blow off the rocks...has to be scrubbed with a toothbrush, much like GHA or turf.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Well I use a turkey baster every 2 to 3 days when he regrows, then suck out with said turkey baster, it seems to help but not prevent it.

 

[Palegic]

Did you ever figure this out. I have the same issue. Fuzzy green algae taking over the tank, and smothering corals. wont grow longer than 1/8". It covers may glass within a week. When I scrape it off it makes a mess and grows elsewhere

 

[SneaksMcdoogle]

Did you ever figure this out. I have the same issue. Fuzzy green algae taking over the tank, and smothering corals. wont grow longer than 1/8". It covers may glass within a week. When I scrape it off it makes a mess and grows elsewhere

Me also, but I started with dry rock and ocean direct

 

[nano reef]

Does it look like this? I have reado many algae posts and have nevr seen anyone talk about this or ever saw a pic of it.

Its in both of my tanks. Its very dense and short. Reminds me of a well trimmed hedge! LOL

 

[Roatan Reef]

Toothbrush, scrape, rub and clean, then do a water change...with power heads off...get a fine micron filter net and collect as much free floating algae as possible....rinse and repeat until you get it under control.

 

[crav]

I increased light in the refugium and ats, and waited. Try to separate corals from the rock, use a stand. If there's algae on the base of the corals, scrub it off.

 

[nano reef]

Are you guys speaking to me? crav does this look like your algae. I think Ihave more pics to add. It nothing like gha or anything with a fuzzy or slimy feel. Its very dense and short to the rock and grows like a hege. No kidding. It rough on your hands when you touch it,

I dont have a fine micro net but I could use a filter sock. I assuming you saying if it lands somewhere it will start to grow there!

My rocks arent attached and neither are any corals so I could take them out one by one.

I am just scared if I leave any it will start to grow back and I want to start attaching frags and corals germanely.

I tried peroxide and it just laughed at it!