worsening hair algae

[fishorcutbait]

What's the best way to clear up hair algae? My tank, about 2.5 months old, is getting more and more. Some is purple and stringy and other areas are green and thick hair. One of my astrea is even covered with long hair!! It's bizarre. Only on a few of the rocks, but spreading. I have about 4 astrea as clean up crew.
The tank is an aquapod 12 with MH sunpod, on about 11 hours a day. I could cut back on the time, if people suggest. I use only distilled water. ammonia, nitrites, nitrates all zero. Livestock is one small clown. Only three soft coral, and they seem to be (very slowly) growing OK.
I feed one flake per day to the little clown. Water change 1 gallon per week.

some Pics of the problem:

 

[Carlos]

First, cut back on the MH if you only have soft corals. Do 8 hrs a day for now. Second, test your water for phosphates. Distilled water still might have phosphates in there. It is better to go to your LFS and get RO/DI water (if possible) or purchase your own unit as it is something you will use regardless of the tank size. Third, make sure you do your water changes at least once a week religiously.

Remember, your tank is only 2.5 months old so hair algae is normal and expected at this stage. It will eventually go away on its own provided that you do regular husbandry.

Carlos

 

[Swanwillow]

with that much algae, it'll test 0
The reason your testing 0 for nitrates, is cause its being taken up so quickly by the HA. How often are you feeding the tank, and what are you feeding it?
what is your bioload like?

 

[joeychitwood]

It's a young tank, so the problem may improve over time. If not, do a search here on RC for threads discussing raising the magnesium level to eliminate HA. Many people are having success doing so.