Hair algae problem

[sandstorm1221]

I've been having a hair algae problem for the past few months. Over those few months I've taken corrective measures to battle the algae. I made sure my skimmer was clean and efficent, changed my water once a week (10%) as normal. Added new lights. Made sure my RO/DI filters were clean and changed and even added an additional DI filter from kent as my stock one would not get TDS down low enough (thats been about 4 months ago now). All my tests which are done weekly and bi weekly depending on what I am testing for are all well with in thier relevant ranges. This includes calcium, mag, phosphate, and all the norms. SG is a steady 1.025-1.026. PH is 8.2-8.0.

After doing some reseach I found that It could be my lace rock. Tank has been established for about a year and 3 months. Could it be my lace rock is leeching iron into the tank? Any other ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks

Jim

 

[03LightningSVT]

What brand phosphate test kit are you testing with? Salifert? Is this a FOWLR setup? More often than not excess nitrates and phosphate are the main causes of hair algae. You could be over-feeding the fish. Do you have a macro-algae like Cheato in your sump/refugium? Macro-algae will help absorb nitrates, phosphate and iron.

 

[sandstorm1221]

I am using salifert test kits. I do not have chaeto in my sump, nor the room to put it, although Ive thought about it. I feed my fish on a every other day basis, but only as much as they can eat in a minute or two.