phosphate and hair algae confusion

[sansouci01]

Ok..
So, I'm starting to get a little bit of green hair algae on my rocks. I talk to the guy at my LFS and he tells me that I probably have high phosphates or high nitrates and that is contributing to my hair algae problem. SO..I test my phosphates and nitrates and they test 0ppm. I think...what else could it be...THEN..I read that the hair algae could be consuming the nitrates and phosphates giving you a false 0ppm reading..So...what can I do ? Is there something I can use to lower the possible invisible phosphate problem ?

 

[Sniperhank]

There are a handful of things you can do to keep low phosphates/nitrates. Make sure you use to/di water and feed minimally. This will prevent them from entering the tank as much as possible.

 

[sansouci01]

My question is, does having hair algae mean you definitely have high nitrate/phosphates ? I do top offs with ro/di water and do 25% water changes weekly using my LFS salt water. I have a protein skimmer and feed every other day. My tank is fairly new...about 3 months

 

[Sniperhank]

It means there is something feeding it. The water coming from your LFS might not have 0 TDS, it is an unknown at this point.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

What's your stock list and how much do you feed?

 

[sansouci01]

I have two clowns and two chromis. I just tested the ro/di water that I use for top offs from my LFS and it tested 5 TDS. Would that be enough to cause a hair algae problem ?

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

And how much do you feed them? Any inverts or clean up crew?

 

[sansouci01]

I feed every other day. I have an assortment of snails ( about 5 or 6 ), a peppermint shrimp, and a serpent star.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

I mean the amount of food. Every other day is great, but if you're over feeding it's no bueno...

 

[Sniperhank]

Could be. Still an unknown what is in there since it tests for all disolved solids. This is why we aim for 0 and re-add the elements we want in our tanks with a good salt mix. Is this a bad outbreak?

 

[sansouci01]

As for food, I feed them sinking pellets. Just a few sprinkles. They eat most all of it in just a few minutes. As for the outbreak, not too bad. Just a few spots here and there but I've seen pictures of the algae that is so thick, you can hardly see the rocks. That's why I want to take care of it before it gets worse.

 

[Sniperhank]

I would assume that it is coming from the water then for the most part, as it sounds like you are feeding sparingly. I would either ask your LFS when the last time they changed their fitlers/resin as you are getting a TDS reading or invest in an RO/DI of your own.

 

[sansouci01]

Investing in a ro/di unit is on my list. It's just a 20 gallon tank so 5 gallons premixed at my LFS a week is sooo easy. Friday is my water change day so I'll ask them about the TDS reading and see what they say...Thanks