Purple turf algae outbreak

reefenthusiast · 05-15-2008, 11:08 PM

My tank has been slowly overtaken by a purple turf like algae. My nitrates are <5ppm and no detectable phosphates. I have an algae blenny, a foxface, and a blue tang but none seem to be eating it. The only thing that I can think of that might be causing it to grow is that I have a TON of light. 500 watts of HQI over a 40 gallon breeder! The sps love it but so does the algae.

Any suggestions anyone?

**CarmieJo** · 05-16-2008, 12:32 AM

Although your nutrients are low it is possible, perhaps even likely, that they are being locked up in the algae. What is your source water? How often and what do you feed? What is your maintenance routine? How old are your bulbs?

veriann · 05-16-2008, 01:26 AM

lol, i love that stuff, get some bubbles under it your tank becomes a moving jumping castle..lol Your turkey baster is your friend here, keep up with the removal in any fashion you can.

reefenthusiast · 05-20-2008, 02:01 AM

Sorry I took so long to respond but finals are killing me.

Carmie- It may be possible that some nutrient are being locked up in the algae as I am using an RODI but the source water running through it is pretty bad so the lowest I can get my tds is around 8. Also, because of school my maintenance has been a little delayed only doing a 10% every 2-3 weeks. The lights are about 9 months old but I've heard HQIs can last up to 18 months.

Veriann- I'm not sure we're talking about the same kind of algae here as there is no way any will come off using a baster. Not even trying to hand pick it works. It is like an astro turf that only comes off the rocks about an 1/8".

Has anybody dealt with this stuff before?