Green Hair Algae on sandbed

[Reefdiver77]

I do not have any on corals or live rock, but pull up pieces daily out of my sand. Well established 30 gal with 10 gal sump. 2 Koralia PH. Led 120 Blueline Pendant for lighting. On 8 hours a day. Nitrates were 10 but now they are 2. All other testing values spot on. Doing 8 gal water change every 10-14 days made with ro/di filtered water with TDS of 0 and emptying protein skimmer every other day as well as dosing algaefix every third day. No algae on glass. As far as CUC, I have blue legged hermits, nacirrius, and several other snails. I bought 6 trochus because I was told they ate the hair algae off the sandbed, but apparently these 6 are picky eaters. I have a refugium section in my sump with chaeto. I also clean the foam in my sump between the fuge section and section for return pump weekly. I have 2 five year old clowns and a 5 year old blue spotted watchman goby. I feed only daily and small amounts at that. All corals and live stock are thriving. Any suggestions for getting rid of this nuisance?

 

[stlcard]

did you test for phosphates? algae feed off them, if you have algae you have phosphates. you say "well established" meaning you have a mature tank of 2+yrs? is the sand the same age?

 

[stlcard]

generally speaking, adding stuff, to remove other stuff from your water is not advised. Its easier to manage it naturally with your chaeto and water changes.
id stop dosing algaefix. ive seen (personal experience) and heard, it doesnt really help, and or continues to add to the issue. Keep going on water changes, maybe a little more frequent until you notice a change. add

 

[nck1992]

You can replace sand bed. Make sections and replace a section at a time.

 

[OneReef]

Diamond sleeper goby.

 

[Reefdiver77]

This tank has been up and going over 2 years. The sand is the same age. Phosphates are testing zero. Some of my liverock is from a tank I had up and going for 6+ years. I have actually bought another bag of sand. It is not like the GHA is thick or anything and most people would not notice it, but I do. Before I increased the water changes and emptying the skimmer on a more routine basis, there was algae on the glass that I removed with the magfloat, but I never have to scrape the glass anymore. That is a good thing and I feel like I am heading in the right direction. May have to get Dave at BSL to order me a diamond sleeper, Jay. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.