Should I be afraid of this...

[ClownMan]

Have had my tank set up for about a year and had no major algae problems, recently I have started to see green "fuzz" or moss like, on the top of my live rock which is closest to the light...is this normal?

My light stays on about 10 hr a day and this is the first time I have seen anything like this...

Thanks for your input.

 

[Hara]

How long has it been since you changed out the bulbs?

 

[seaham358]

No algae in a tank is good IMO. Some easier to control then others. Could be the beginning of hair algae. how is your water quality? readings. NO3, PO4

 

[ClownMan]

Never changed the bulbs...and what is hair algae? I haven't heard of it...its not bad is it?

Water quality is all good...can't remember the specifics but nothing off the charts.

thanks

 

[Hara]

Bulbs get "old" and are not as "strong" (for want of the correct term) and need to be replaced at least once per year, some even more frequently than that. One of the results of old bulbs is algae growth.

 

[Hara]

and what is hair algae?

A very troublesome nuisance algae. It can be quite frustrating to deal with as
not many things will eat it and it spreads quite quickly. Most often you have
to just yank it out by hand and make sure you cure whatever the source of it
is...nutrient content, lighting, etc.