Tonga grows too much algae. Should I toss it?

[oakengineer]

I've got a tonga rock with about a million branches that I have a real problem with hair algae with. Every other rock in the tank is spotless besides this one. I think its because nothing in my tank can eat off of it because of all of the crevices. Is this kind of rock just a bad idea? I know most people blame algae on chemistry, but I think mine is actually very good.

Inhabitants:
3 hermits
2 turbos
8 astras
2 clowns
1 Kole tang
1 dottyback

65 gal
SG 1.024
nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0

 

[swhobbie1]

I have a lot of tonga live rock. It does not look like that. That looks like a dead coral. Dead coral will definitely grow GHA IMO.

 

[oakengineer]

I thought live rock was usually dead coral.

 

[kurt_n]

Live rock is more or less dead coral, but not recently dead - if that makes sense. Live rock will look more or less like rock, but will be calcium carbonate based - at one time it *was* coral.

But that picture isn't "Tonga Rock". Tonga rock normally refers to rock that looks like tree branches, that are about 2"-3" in diameter. That picture looks like fairly recently dead coral... probably pocilipora or stylophora. And a fairly big colony, at that.

As far as the algae... rock without a coraline coating will normally grow algae easier/quicker than rock with coraline. And that's what I'm seeing in that picture. Tanks with algae issues will often show low nitrates and phosphates, as the algae is sucking it out of the tank as quick as it goes in. Regardless of the rock type, an algae issue is a nutrient issue.

 

[Sk8r]

It'll leach out phosphate for a while, but if you have phosphate remediation like a GFO, no problem. When it runs out of phosphate it won't grow algae any longer. ALL limestone is old coral.. Just real old. And limestone tends to leach out phosphate for a while. I use old coral rubble with no problem. Had a monster hammer that I had to frag repeatedly, and its leavings were real good for structure and braces.

 

[uncleL]

I have a piece just like that I took it out and beached it....it will clear up soon. Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[oakengineer]

Yes I have been using RODI.

 

[wom001]

+1 on the GFO idea there is some extra phosphate somewhere that is causing the algae to grow there. What kind of flow do you have in this area?

 

[whosurcaddie]

Take it out and give the rock a peroxide bath.