Help cure my staghorn that has a small hair algae symptom

[seldin]

I have a 55 gallon reef that has a small bio load. I have MH/T5 lighting. In addition, I do not have a hair algae problem.

However, I have a staghorn sps that has a small area, where it looks like "hair algae" is growing on it. I scrubbed it with a tooth brush a number of times, and the "hair algae" symptom comes back. The rest of the coral is fine.

In the far past, I had the same problem on a sps every once in a while.

Today, I figured out, that this is probably not "hair algae" because it only occurs, on a small section of this one specific sps and only in an exact area.

Now, in the past, this symptom happened a couple of times. Since I could not cure it, I used in the past, cut out this section, and I think it worked, but I am not sure.

Do you know what this problem is and how to fix it. Since it is an sps, it not like I like to snip out the bad piece. I would rather dip coral into something, etc., to kill problem, etc.

My parms are ph 8.3, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, calcium 450, salt 1.025, magnesium 1400, phosphate 0. Tests are with Salifert test kits.

I also have cheato in my sump that does not grow, even thought light is on at night. I also use a phosban reactor.

I have plenty of live rock and a 3-4 inch sand bed.

I definitely, don't have an algae problem. Ohterwise, tank looks good.

Thank you,

- Larry

 

[Litter Box]

Are you sure it's hair algae? It may be bryopsis. If it is, then this is an easy fix.

The best way to tell is by looking closely at each strand. If each strand has filaments/branches coming off it, then you have bryopsis. If that's the case, raise your Mag levels and be done with it.

If it's hair algae, some turbos might do the trick.

Good luck
Jason

 

[seldin]

Jason,

I am not saying it is hair algae, just looks like it. With "hair" on a small section of the sps and no where else in tank. I tried using a tooth brush on that section and "hair" comes back.

I was hoping, maybe there is some kind of "dip" etc., I could apply to the affected area.
I was thinking maybe it's a known condition on SPS that sometimes happens and was hoping for a solution or a dip, etc. for it.

Thank you,

 

[Litter Box]

Is the growth green?

Are you able to post a picture?

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

CoralRX is supposed to get rid of fillimented algae and It worked allright for a couple zoa colonies with bryopsis i had

 

[seldin]

Guys,

Growth is like a green or dirty brown. I am thinking that with a tooth brush, I am not scraping it off. Yesterday, I took the section off that was bad and then made it a frag and used a razor to scrap that section. I will see how that does.

Concept is hoping that I took enough off the good piece that no more is left on good section. 2nd concept is to try the razor blade.

Next, I will try the Coral RX.

I am gathering from you guys, that the "look of hair algae", is not a common symptom to SPS in trouble.

Thank you,

 

[JMalone81]

No pics?

 

[MrKite24]

If you already cut it off then just throw the piece away that has the problem. The main colony should grow back in no time.

 

[seldin]

In the past, I tried to save the damaged piece after tooth brush and the "hair" always came back. This time, with the razor blade, we will see.

Yes, if does not come back on frag plug, it will be thrown out.

Sorry, no pics as I cut damaged piece out and scraped frag.

Thank you,