Updated pics - Added a GFO reactor and spot treated HA with 3% peroxide
Updated pics - Added a GFO reactor and spot treated HA with 3% peroxide
I had a battle with some nuisance hair algae (HA). I tried to reduce feedings, reduce photo-period, increased water changes...none of these adjustments made a difference, even with key params measuring nitrates 0, nitrates 0, calc 420, alk 8dkh, mag 1280. The only param that seemed to continue to rise was phosphate which went from 0.08 to 0.36. The chaeto in the fuge didn't seem to be growing much either. The phosphate levels have been trending up over time due to increased bioload and feeding. The higher phosphate levels created an environment for the algae to get seeded. Before I ended up with hairy rock, I did some research here on RC and did two things:
1. Got a TLF150 GFO reactor (used off CL), with Continuum Aquatics Reef-Basis Captiv Phos Fe Granular Ferric Oxide GFO Phosphate. After 5 days, my phosphate levels are at 0.08 from 0.36. My goal is to get the levels down to around 0.03ppm. I filled the reactor to about 4 inches high with the media. Picture below of the reactor in my sump. I've run out of real estate for anything else in the sump! The polyp extension on my green and pink birds nest and zoas has never been better. If your nitrate levels are low, GFO is the way to go. If your battling both N and P, then it might be worthwhile evaluating dosing vodka/vinegar if you can identify the underlying causes of these nutrients.
2. Took my live rock that was affected with HA, and removed it from my tank, spot treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide, rinsed, and put back in my tank. There's a big thread on this in RC. Works great if you can remove the affected rock. The algae turns white within a few hours, and becomes easy to remove. I'm pretty much algae free now. Because I treated outside the tank, my chaeto and other macroalgae were not affected. Highly recommend this spot treatment approach if you are at your wit's end with nuisance algae.
Updated pics, taken when my LED's are both running 100% B/W.