Clear hairy/stringy algae

[rweeks42]

Hi everyone I am struggling with this stringy/hairy algae on my rocks. I have fought Dino’s and cyano before but this looks different. It is almost clear and not as web like as say Dino’s or cyano can be. My nutrients have recently increased due to me being out of town and coming home to a well fed elegance coral with 4 dead snails shells next to it (only 40Gal so 1 snail death increases nitrates by 5-10ppm). My phosphates read .04 and nitrates 27ppm. I have always struggled with that lopsided imbalance. Corals are happy and the algea has not affected them yet. Dosing microbacter 7 and half recommended vibrant dosing. Here are some pictures

 

[monti mike]

Hi everyone I am struggling with this stringy/hairy algae on my rocks. I have fought Dino’s and cyano before but this looks different. It is almost clear and not as web like as say Dino’s or cyano can be. My nutrients have recently increased due to me being out of town and coming home to a well fed elegance coral with 4 dead snails shells next to it (only 40Gal so 1 snail death increases nitrates by 5-10ppm). My phosphates read .04 and nitrates 27ppm. I have always struggled with that lopsided imbalance. Corals are happy and the algea has not affected them yet. Dosing microbacter 7 and half recommended vibrant dosing. Here are some pictures

I’m not sure what it is but it seems pretty common on tanks with dry rock. I had the same fuzz and it goes away over time.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its bacteria that is stagnant. I assume you have very little to no water movement on lower tank area. Increase flow or direct downwards without stirring up the sandbed. Hydrogen peroxide and /or Vibrant liquid will break this up. You can also loosen with a firm toothbrush. Siphon what becomes loose.

 

[rweeks42]

I’m not sure what it is but it seems pretty common on tanks with dry rock. I had the same fuzz and it goes away over time.

Okay good. I just wanted to make sure I’m not about to fight a new war like Dino’s or cyano. Neither is fun and delayed coraline algea growth by 3-4 months. Finally starting to see coraline spots at the 7 month mark. I will keep an eye on it. Hopefully my young baby tang finds a taste for it.

 

[rweeks42]

Its bacteria that is stagnant. I assume you have very little to no water movement on lower tank area. Increase flow or direct downwards without stirring up the sandbed. Hydrogen peroxide and /or Vibrant liquid will break this up. You can also loosen with a firm toothbrush. Siphon what becomes loose.

I have two mp10s running at 40-50% I will try and lower them some. I use thick sand bed rubble. Try and mix up with weekly water change but I will add a smaller pump to point down at the sand bed.