GHA in 15 gallon nano

[kobe6710]

Greetings all,

I have a 4 month old 15 gallon reef nano that’s been battling GHA for the past 2 months. I have cleanup crew of 10 snails (cerith/astraea/turbo/bumblebee/margarita), 3 hermits, 1 conch, 1 tuxedo urchin, 1 pistol shrimp and 1 peppermint shrimp

The algae does seem to be slowing down recently and I have a tailspot blenny who picks at it. I was wondering if there are any other fish compatible with my aquarium that would also consume the algae. I am also considering dosing Vibrant as I’ve heard the product is less aggressive than ReefFlux, would this be a good decision?

My fish stock is just one clown and the blenny. Also curious if another urchin would be a good idea. Thanks in advance

Ammonia/nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Phosphate: .10ppm
(I have chemipure blue in media chamber)
Salinity: 1.025 SG
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 9.0 dKH
Magnesium: 1400ppm
Calcium: 460ppm

 

[Lavey29]

This is normal for a 4 month tank. Cut white lights, use blue and uv only for 3 weeks. Daily manual removal. Raise magnesium to 1500. GHA phase lasts for 3 or 4 months.

 

[kobe6710]

This is normal for a 4 month tank. Cut white lights, use blue and uv only for 3 weeks. Daily manual removal. Raise magnesium to 1500. GHA phase lasts for 3 or 4 months.

I currently have AFR and RedSeaAB+ for dosing. I did read algae does not like high magnesium, how would I go about raising magnesium without an alk spike?

 

[Lavey29]

I currently have AFR and RedSeaAB+ for dosing. I did read algae does not like high magnesium, how would I go about raising magnesium without an alk spike?

I wouldn't use AB plus during GHA phase. Just weekly water changes and manual removal so your cleaners can catch up. Just get a magnesium supplement and dose a small amount weekly till it raises to 1500. Magnesium is the buffer for alk and calcium. The only time it really seems to affect those is if the level is very low. 1500 won't change alk at all.

 

[cdemoss01]

I have dealt with gha my ENTIRE time reefing.. until now. Heres what I did:
Weekly rock scrubs
Water changes
Reefcleaners order.
These three things can drastically change your gha experience, you should manage your levels such as p04 n04 etc. DO NOT dose vibrant it is very bad for your tank. Fluconazole is a bit better when it comes to what your actually dosing. There is already a lot of CUC in here so expanding may not be your best option.

 

[cdemoss01]

I wouldn't use AB plus during GHA phase. Just weekly water changes and manual removal so your cleaners can catch up. Just get a magnesium supplement and dose a small amount weekly till it raises to 1500.

For a magnesium supplement I recommend Reef Elixir. Comes from Europe

 

[Lavey29]

For a magnesium supplement I recommend Reef Elixir. Comes from Europe

I use red sea magnesium weekly.

 

[cdemoss01]

I use red sea magnesium weekly.

This works too!

 

[kobe6710]

I use red sea magnesium weekly.

This works too!

Awesome thank you will look into both

 

[kobe6710]

I currently have AFR and RedSeaAB+ for dosing. I did read algae does not like high magnesium, how would I go about raising magnesium without an alk spike?

I wouldn't use AB plus during GHA phase. Just weekly water changes and manual removal so your cleaners can catch up. Just get a magnesium supplement and dose a small amount weekly till it raises to 1500. Magnesium is the buffer for alk and calcium. The only time it really seems to affect those is if the level is very low. 1500 won't change alk at all.

Yes I’ve almost completely cut back on it. I dose 2ml about once a week when nitrates drop below 5ppm

Should I just leave it alone if nitrates fall below 5ppm?

I also spot feed my coral Benereef every other day

 

[kobe6710]

I have dealt with gha my ENTIRE time reefing.. until now. Heres what I did:
Weekly rock scrubs
Water changes
Reefcleaners order.
These three things can drastically change your gha experience, you should manage your levels such as p04 n04 etc. DO NOT dose vibrant it is very bad for your tank. Fluconazole is a bit better when it comes to what your actually dosing. There is already a lot of CUC in here so expanding may not be your best option.

Okay thank you understood. I’ve heard of possible reduced uptake of calcium and alkalinity with the dosing of fluconazole, have you had any experience with this?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What are you testing parameters with? When I had gha issues in my tank, my nitrates were much higher than yours.
As others have stated. Rock scrubbing water changes and staying on top of CUC in your tank are some of the best ways to get rid of it

 

[Lavey29]

Yes I’ve almost completely cut back on it. I dose 2ml about once a week when nitrates drop below 5ppm

Should I just leave it alone if nitrates fall below 5ppm?

I also spot feed my coral Benereef every other day

Nitrates can be increased with more frozen feeding. When my tank was young in had to double dose neophos and neonitro for multiple months before I got measurable numbers. Don't use any harsh chemicals like vibrant or flucanzole. You will destroy your emerging biome and set yourself way back. GHA is normal in a 4 to 8 month tank.

 

[kobe6710]

Yes I’ve almost completely cut back on it. I dose 2ml about once a week when nitrates drop below 5ppm

Should I just leave it alone if nitrates fall below 5ppm?

I also spot feed my coral Benereef every other day

Nitrates can be increased with more frozen feeding. When my tank was young in had to double dose neophos and neonitro for multiple months before I got measurable numbers. Don't use any harsh chemicals like vibrant or flucanzole. You will destroy your emerging biome and set yourself way back. GHA is normal in a 4 to 8 month tank.

I think you’re right going to stay away from the chemicals, thanks for the help!

 

[kobe6710]

What are you testing parameters with? When I had gha issues in my tank, my nitrates were much higher than yours.
As others have stated. Rock scrubbing water changes and staying on top of CUC in your tank are some of the best ways to get rid of it

Salifert, however I have API for phosphate (worst purchase ever) so needless to say I’m currently looking for a Hanna on sale or for resale

 

[kobe6710]

What are you testing parameters with? When I had gha issues in my tank, my nitrates were much higher than yours.
As others have stated. Rock scrubbing water changes and staying on top of CUC in your tank are some of the best ways to get rid of it

I should add nitrates are usually 20ppm and came down significantly from 30-40ppm when the bloom started

I’ve recently been seeing lower than 10ppm over the past couple weeks, hopefully a good sign as algae does seem to be slowing down