hair algea

[aquablast]

Well it took 3 months but it finally showed up. First I had a mild outbreak of datoms and now hair algea. It seems to grow exactly where the diatoms were. Nitrate tests 0 on 2 different kits and so does phosphate, but from what I read phosphate pretty much always tests 0 because the algea is using it up. I have about 75 Lbs of rock in 75 gal. tank and 12 astrea snails. The rock was Fiji dry rock that I cycled in garbage can with raw shrimp, pump and heater for 2 months. When amonia, nitrite and nitrate went to 0 I setup the tank. I have a protien skimmer in sump, use RODI water, do 7% weekly water change and have cheato in refugium. The ball of cheato tripled in size in about 3 weeks. Bioload is light with 2 fire fish, 2 small clowns and a couple soft corals which are all doing fine. Feed once daily and only as much as they will eat in a couple minutes.
I just ordered a GFO reactor from BRS, but is there anything else I should be doing and how long will this phase last?

 

[unclejed2]

The reactor is a key part of the puzzle to erradicate the Green Hair. What is your light cycle (num. of hours)?

 

[aquablast]

lights run from about 11:30am to 7:30pm. six 54w t5 bulbs. I have it about 15" above tank.

 

[unclejed2]

lights run from about 11:30am to 7:30pm. six 54w t5 bulbs. I have it about 15" above tank.

Well, that is a short enough light cycle. Just chalk it up to part of the complete cycle. The reactor will take probably 2-3 weeks to have the desired effect and then the hair will slowly die off. I would advise adding a Poly pad after you add the reactor to help with any die off from the algae.

 

[aquablast]

forgive the rockie question but where does one put a poly pad. Thanks for the response

 

[unclejed2]

forgive the rockie question but where does one put a poly pad. Thanks for the response

Any place the water can pass through it steadily i.e. drip tray in a sump (most effecient), standing on edge in the first chamber of sump, in the over flow (built-in type) etc.