Long Hair Algae/Bubble Algae help?

[Sheni Angel]

I have a 125 gallon Reef Tank that was set up 5 mths ago. I have recently (within a couple mths) noticed Long Hair Algae and it has now gone into patches all throughout the reef. I think it is ugly, but have also read this is not good, and along with that.... there are millions of tiny bubbles on it and around the patches, bubble algae? I have been pulling out handfuls with each waterchange.

I have a Phosban Reactor (if that means anything for this) and Protein Skimmer, good current movement. I try to do a 10% waterchange every week, but more so been every 10 days. Readings come out good, although Nitrates have tested about 15. I am trying not to overfeed, but not sure what that is exactly. I feed a couple times a day for 3 minutes.?

Please help with tips on battling this...any advice is helpful, thanks!

~Sheni

[Pete1399]

You only need to feed once a day. Less food is better than too much. Sounds like everything else is ok IMO. You could also get an emerald crab to help with the algae problem. Your nitrates should be at 0 which suggests either over feeding or overstocking. Give your tank some more time as well. You may find that if you just cut back on feeding that your algae problem goes away within the first year of your tank going up.

[PatMayo]

The emeralds will not do squat in my opinion. Your trouble is most likely caused from too many nutrients in the tank. You have to export more. What kind of protein skimmer do you have and is it pulling nice dark crap out of the tank?

Here is what I would do. If you do not have any corals in the tank I would reduce the lighting to almost nothing. If all you have is fish and crustaceans you do not need the light.

I would also start doing at least 15 % water changes weekly. I would run RowaPhos in the reactor and change it out every 2 weeks without fail. Get the 250 ml size and run the whole thing in the reactor. Change it every two weeks.

As well if you do not have macro algae in your sump I would get some right way and grow it. There are really good lights for growing macro algae. I will give you a link.

As well I will give you a link for several threads that will help.

I can tell you that you have several things you need to eliminate. Nutrients and phosphates. The Rowaphos and macro algae will eliminate the phosphates and silica and other stuff. The macro algae and skimmer will really help with the nutrients. Reduce lights considerably as I mentioned earlier. If you do all these things I would venture to guess that in 2 months your tank would be clean as a whistle.

At the same time make sure your alkalinity, calcium and magnesium are at the correct levels. I will give you a link for that as well. And most of all make sure you are using RO/DI water with zero TDS.

Here are the links.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page...ctors/1P381651

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=147010

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

This thread is a great one to read as well. It will teach you a lot. Spend some time in the chemistry forum as well.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848

Regards,

Pat