[landonb16]

So it started about 3 months ago and it keeps getting worst and worst. I have tried many things an i just can not seem to get rid of it. here are two pictures of it


Pic 1 link...



Pic 2 link...

here are some specs on my tank:
- 72 gallon saltwater tank w/20 gallon sump
- animals: yellow tang, blue hippo tang, 2 engineer gobies, serpent star, various snails and hermit crabs
- over 50 pounds of live rock
- skimmer
- lots of flow, 1600 gph
- water changes done with ro/di
- temp ~80
- lights 4 50/50 vho's
- nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all 0
- has been up for over 2 years

Any ideas on how to get rid of it and what it is called, i think it is green hair algea.

Thanks, Landon

[felix5747]

try to pick up a lawnmower blenny and pick it out wil siphoning water for a water change

[CSeaSee]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!!!

You have a nutrient problem... Somewhere, somehow, you are either putting in way too many "nutrients," or you aren't removing them well enough. Do a search and you'll find a lot of threads devoted to this particular problem. Your tests all show 0 because the hair algae is acting like a sponge, soaking up all the nutrients.

[smpolyp]

With any tank that has algae probles it is best to stop and check what has been the nutrient or food to create any algae?
First is to test your ro/di make up water with a good tds meter.(Double checking with another meter is best) Be honest if the meter does not read 0-2, have it double checked. If your water is over 2 ppm you have a start on your algae. Keep looking most problems are not with just one thing.
Next look at food that has been feed to the tank and how much.
Most people over feed. I do and most everyone I have seen does too.
Then over all look at anything that has made it into the tank. Is it organic, is it alive or dead, what is it?
With all that info just remember you must remove the organic load that has stored. Water changes,carbon,skimming,removers,ect.

[Reefland]

You might consider reading through these articles. It is hard to tell without a closer picture but you might have Bryopsis.
Nuisance Algae in the Reef Aquarium - Part I
Nuisance Algae in the Reef Aquarium - Part II
Nuisance Algae in the Reef Aquarium - Part III

[Frogfish]

While I believe that you want the best water source possible to use in your tank. As far as I know TDS really doesn't have anything to do with algae growth does it? Total Dissolved Solids is not what algae thrives on. Everything I have heard about algae points to phosphate and nitrates. While these MAY be the dissolved solids there are lots of other compounds that register on a TDS meter.

So... use the best water you can, but IMO a reading of 2+ on a TDS doesn't mean you will have algae

[reef_obsessed]

Quick question Landon,
Is your tank in a room near a window? I had a tank setup with algea that looked just like that and I found it to be that for a period of time it was exposed to direct/semi direct sunlight. I made a shade for the tank (wifey and I couldn't agree on curtains)and voila, no more algea.