Help with GHA!!!

I have been bothered recently with GHA.... I finally got rid of cyano and now the GHA is sprouting up all over the place. I took almost all of my rocks out and scrubbed the algae off with a toothbrush.... Then a few choice words later, I had my aquarium re-scaped . Not even a week later, it seems to be coming back. I have never really had too much of a problem with it before. All specs look good and no real changes have been made recently. I have a 5 stage mako RO/DI unit that I used to fill my tank and make water for a little over a year. Could it be the cartridges need to be replaced? My TDS still is at or around 0. I'm just really frustrated and I dont want to buy new cartridges if that wont help. Thanks for any advice...

 

Are your bulbs old?what are your phosphates and nitrates?overfeeding? I would suggest checking those and adding a phosphate reactor.
Worst case if nothing works you could "cook" the live rock if it is full of phosphates.

 

Phosphate and Nitrate do not have noticeable readings. Bulbs < 3 months. Feeding the same amount. What do you mean cook the rock? What is a good type of Phosphate reactor?

 

Amazon.com: Poly Reactor Multi Media Reator: Kitchen & Dining
i like this reactor and it comes with a pump.

what kind of food are you feed? How much of it? what kind of fish do you have?

 

Sounds like you have been having a heck of a time with algae...first cyano and now hair algae.
Keeping excess nutrients out of the aquarium water is one key element in eliminating algae. There are many things that can add excess nutrients into your tank like some commercial foods which may contain undesirable things like nitrates, phosphates etc and overfeeding the tank is also another factor. Using a phosphate remover, RO/DI water, a good tank clean up crew ie. hermit crabs and snails and a high quality salt with no NO3, phosphates etc like Tropic Marin or similar good quality salt should really help bring the algae under control.

 

How old is the tank?
if it's under 6 months it could be just the normal algae cycle. you may want to invest in a few large snails to keep it under control.

J

 

I have looked at all the usual suspects, nitrates, overfeeding, etc. Nothing ever shows up on the tests. It almost feels useless to test the water. I have heard the algae grows and fuels the growth. So feeding might be an issue. However, I have never had this problem before. I think I might look into the phosphate reactor..... something has gotta give.... I hate this crap. I am just trying to figure out if I should get new cartridges for my RO/DI, because it is still reading 0 TDS. Could it just be inaccurate. Thanks for the responses

 

have things that will eat the algae...do regular water changes. do you have a fuge w macro algae? i went through some gha a month ago. a toothbrush works very well on it the algae almost dissolves when you scrub it. when u do a water change siphon the water into a bucket...take the gha covered rocks out and scrub em down in the water it works good im almost free of it now just left some for the snails.

 

Got this crap again...bad

After taking most of my rocks out and scrubbing the GHA off for the third time, its coming back again. I have reduced my feeding even more. MH are only on for 6 hours. I got new bulbs and the phosphate reactor that was suggested, nothing seems to work. The reactor did not seem to have any effect. No significant changes have been made in the last 8 months. I had no problems with it for the first six months. All readings are still ok. Any ideas? I am about ready to throw this tank out. As much as I love pulling all my rocks out to rescape the @#%$@ aquarium, this stuff makes me want to get out of the hobby. Other life in the aquarium is also flourishing (fish and corals growing looking good). I am uploading a video to youtube to see (Ill put the link on when it finishes) LMK what you think about the rock stacking. I think I am getting a bit better with all the practice.;D Thanks!

PH - 8.2
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - no noticeable reading (color looks like 0)

 

I will give you an opinion if you are willing to listen...It will be alot of typing
I have been in your shoes!!