Hair algae problem

[adw77380]

My tank was alittle over a year old when it had to be disassembled and moved to another location. The entire set up is the same except location and did a complete water change (easier to move). It has been set-up for about 2 months now.

Problem: Green hair algae :x

Just in case the profile doesn't show what I have in my tank:

Tank: 72G SW, CC substrate, wet/dry, bio-balls, three-pass protein skimmer, about 125 lbs LR.
Fish and Invertibrates: numerous different types of hermit crabs. Had snails until last two weeks (you'll understand why next), small porcupine puffer, 1 domino damsel, 2 3-stripe damsels, 2 4-stripe damsels, 1 medium clarkii clown, and 1 undilated trigger (about size of clown).

My levels: Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 0-5ppm, ph 8.2, alk 1.021. Temp 82-83.

I have scrubbed every inch of LR 2 weeks ago, and it is much better. . .but I would like to prevent it from spreading again.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[phases99]

Did your tank recycle after the move? If so, you could be going through a typical algae bloom cycle. Are you using tap water for topoffs/changes? Do your bulbs need changing? Unfortunately your tank inhabitants will not allow snails, they did a job on mine.

 

[adw77380]

I would say the tank cycled. . . the levels peaked and then returned. Had the normal algae, but then was really bad. Bulbs are 3 months old at the most. Have 2 10Ks and 1 acetic 03. One ballast is broken so down to 3 (those bulbs are hard to remove, pull and it broke). Unfortunately, didn't have RO unit and used tap water (I was against it, friend set it up).

I was thinking maybe phosphates? I bought the Kent Phosphate Sponge, but haven't used it yet. Anyone use that and have good results? What about circulation, I have the main pump and then a small power head on one side (just added that after scrubbing the rock)? Also, since I don't have a RO unit, would bottled water work? My roommate and I used that on our last tank and we never had blooms or any problems with algae? And one more thing about what I read on the forum, the bio-balls. . .could I get rid of those since I have LR?

Thanks

 

[phases99]

You can do a phosphate test on your tap water. The sponge may help but not solve the problem. Don't use bottled water, check if your LFS sells water or save up for a RO or DI unit. Also, 1 small PH in a 72g is not enough. You should be pushing 10x-20x tank volume per hr. Good Luck

 

[adw77380]

Agreed

Thank you.

I will be adding 2 more PHs this weekend. . . can you imagine, my friend who had this before me just had the main pump . Gosh, guess I get to call around since we don't have any LFS besides Petco within 20 miles. Sad, really.