Algae...

[Zucker26]

My first real attempt at a reef tank, a 29gal, has been set up for about 6 months now. Some of the LR I used had a small amount of hair algae on it when I began the setup, but I figured it wasn't a big deal and it would die off during the cycling. Well, 6 months later, the algae is still on two of the rocks. It has probably doubled in the 6 months that the tank has been set up, but it seems to stay isolated on the two rocks it started on.

My values are Ca=380-440ppm, dKh=8-10, nitrates=0, nitrites=0, temp=80 (don't want to break down and buy a Mg test). I feed formula 1 and 2 alternating daily, 5ml marine snow once a week, and cyclopees occasionally (even fish need a treat now and then). Lighting is 150W HQI + 2x65W PCs. 12hrs with PCs, 11hrs with HQI.

Below are some pictures of the algae. Blue legs don't seem to eat it, nor do any snails I'v tried. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of this stuff?

 

[risika67]

In my 20g I had that problem. The rest of the tank was perfectly fine, the one rock however looked like a yard Kinda curious to find out why!

 

[Zucker26]

Anything? It looks like hair algae, but has anyone ever had it confined to one or two rocks?

 

[Salamander]

Tested for Phospates? It could be that those two rocks are leaching phosphate or that's just where algae had previously been previously established. A GFO (granular ferric oxide) reactor may help. They're pretty cheap and easy to run. There are quite a few brands of media that you can use: Phosban, Rowaphos, DR. F&S GFO, Two Part's GFO and others.

 

[Zucker26]

Unfortunately I don't have the ability to add any reactors because my space is extremely limited. I'll look into any DIY methods of running Phosban or Rowaphos; thanks for the advice!