small rock with algae

[Sgchick]

Hi, I have a small rock with algae on it. Can I take the rock out scrub it off and add it right back in? Thanks

 

[Rover88]

You can, yes.

What kind of algae is important to know. Keep in mind when live rock is transferred around it can spend days out of water. So long as you don't use any harsh chemicals or leave it long enough to completely dry out you won't harm the bacteria in it that make it live.

 

[Sgchick]

Great! Thanks...It looks like hair algae.

 

[billdogg]

After manual removal, if you carefully pour some H202 (hydrogen peroxide) on the affected area it will take care of the remaining bits that have grown into the rock. Give it a quick rinse in a bowl of tank water after about 15-20 seconds and return it to the tank.

Is this a new setup? generally speaking, hair algae growth is a sign of higher than normal nutrient levels, specifically Nitrates and Phosphates. If it is on just that one rock, it could very well be that the offending rock is leaching PO4 and therefore giving the HA a place to grow.

 

[mcgyvr]

If I'm taking a rock out because it has some algae on it I do it during a water change and use 50% old tank water and 50% peroxide and scrub/soak it for 10-15 minutes..
It will be white again and all algae will be gone..

 

[Sgchick]

After manual removal, if you carefully pour some H202 (hydrogen peroxide) on the affected area it will take care of the remaining bits that have grown into the rock. Give it a quick rinse in a bowl of tank water after about 15-20 seconds and return it to the tank.

Thanks, I'll try that!

Is this a new setup? generally speaking, hair algae growth is a sign of higher than normal nutrient levels, specifically Nitrates and Phosphates. If it is on just that one rock, it could very well be that the offending rock is leaching PO4 and therefore giving the HA a place to grow.

No, not a new setup...29 biocube that started as reef, then a FOWLR tank for a couple years and back to a reef tank for the last 3 months or so. The tank has been running since 2013. I suspect high nutrient levels. Might try some Go in a media bag.

 

[Sgchick]

haha...GFO

 

[Sgchick]

If I'm taking a rock out because it has some algae on it I do it during a water change and use 50% old tank water and 50% peroxide and scrub/soak it for 10-15 minutes..
It will be white again and all algae will be gone..

Thanks..I'm definitely going to try that.

 

[mcgyvr]

I suspect high nutrient levels. Might try some Go in a media bag.

Don't "suspect"... test (get phosphate and nitrate test kits)..
You can do more harm with GFO when its not needed.. so make sure you test for phosphates first before doing the GFO..
A minor amount of algae should be expected in a tank and not a reason to use GFO at all either..

 

[jayball]

Don't "suspect"... test (get phosphate and nitrate test kits)..
You can do more harm with GFO when its not needed.. so make sure you test for phosphates first before doing the GFO..
A minor amount of algae should be expected in a tank and not a reason to use GFO at all either..

X2 There have been many on here, myself included, that have unbalanced their tanks by being overly aggressive with GFO. In many cases that is how Dinoflagellates take hold. (strip phosphate leads to no microalgae, leads to no microfauna that keeps dino's in check, leads to a dino bloom and lots of work to fix it.)