well you have algae.... so you have phosphates.... no need for a test kit to prove what you can see. Algae is sometimes so good at consuming phosphates that you cant even get a reading because the Algae is leaching it so quickly. I have a few posts on my tank build that I explained what I did when I had a outbreak. Its not that complicated to take care of but it needs a bit of elbow grease.
-Make sure you use RO/DI water with 0PPM and 0 phos ( get a Hanna : HI713 Phosphate Low Range Checker )
- get a GFO reactor with good quality media ( I use PO4X4 and I LOVE IT )
- when you do a water change get a very low stream siphon and pull the algae and make sure it gets sucked in to the waste water. You can manually remove it , brush it with a tooth brush
- Get some good snails!! big turbo's are the best. Get a bunch and return them to the LFS for credits after they had a good meal.
You can also drain your water - do your water change and then remove the rocks from the display and scrub them with a bigger brush in your old water before placing them in the tank again. This is what I think did the most good for my outbreak. with time you will feel the algae getting weaker , easier to pull and brush off... this is a sign that phosphates are on the low and you are winning the battle !! My next option if nothing would of work would of been a tip I have seen on
Melevsreef on youtube He used Blue Life Phosphate Rx to bind the Phosphate that can then be exported with water change and skimming. This will help make the algae weak so you can remove it easier.
Hope this helps , Happy reefing :beachbum:
