Tank growth

[90rr]

hi guys need help new to SW tanks
Tank has been fine for about 10 months and today I see this now what is it growing on the rock

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Looks like gha.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I think softail is right. Time to whip out a tooth brush and scrape it down.

 

[90rr]

Sorry what is gha ?

 

[Salt1972]

Sorry what is gha ?

Green Hair Algae - hit it with a toothbrush. It'll come back fast. What are your Nitrate and Phosphate levels?

 

[90rr]

This was before a water change last week ammonia did drop after

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

That's actually pretty good. You've got excess nutrients somewhere that the algae is consuming. Personally, I'd scrape it with a toothbrush when it shows up but I know a lot of people aren't fans of that. Try to feed a bit less or lessen your lights if it doesn't go away.

 

[Salt1972]

There are many here more capable than I am, but your noted parameters look good. My experience is that GHA (and all algae) are more dependent / responsive to Phosphate levels. I suspect you might find that your PO4 is elevated.

 

[90rr]

Thank you guys I will try the toothbrush Way and see if it comes back if it does how do I test/control
Po4

 

[90rr]

I’m feeding once a day frozen mysis cube and my two prime had settings are listed

 

[Salt1972]

Thank you guys I will try the toothbrush Way and see if it comes back if it does how do I test/control
Po4

There are PO4/Phosphate Tests. We use a Hanna Low Range. There are many methods to control PO4, but GFO seems to be most common and what we use. Currently, we just put it in a mesh bag in a high flow area in the sump, but a lot people use it in a reactor.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

10 months and just now experiencing GHA is pretty good. How big is your tank and what do you have in it?

 

[90rr]

90 gallon plus sump and 4 fish a few small corals and live rock

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Cuc? What kind of fish and what size?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Under my signature is a link to a build thread, you could start a build thread and post some pics of your tank if you like. You can post your water tests and track the growth of your system. Then when something gets whacky it will be easier to track down what's going on with your system and you get a cool banner under your name. You don't have to do this but it might help you down the road. :)

 

[90rr]

Clown,blue tang ,black and white heniochus and yellow tang all small to medium size and three snails and 5 crabs

 

[90rr]

Fish store did not have a tester but they said this may help what do you think

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Are you fish consuming that entire block of mysis in 3 to 4 minutes?

 

[90rr]

Yes it looks like they eat it all

 

[mta_morrow]

I would recommend scrubbing as well.

Shut off all flow and siphon out what’s removed so that is doesn’t decompose and dump the nutrients right back into the tank and fuel more algae growth.