More (still) GHA threads

Still fighting green hair on my brain (heh).

I don't mind it so much on the zoa's (where it came in, I'm sure). They don't care and if it stayed there no big deal, but it's seated onto the spines of the reb lobo. I've tried picking or brushing it off, but that irritates to coral, and it stays receded- which means the GHA has a day to grow unimpeded and comes back worse than before.

I hate dosing, but is Algae-X my only option here?

 

First, need to find out whats feeding the GHA. What are your Po4 and No3 levels? You can get a Po4 reactor, which is cheap to buy(MD has it for $31.99 + the media) and a coil denitrator(which Tangster has it on sale for $50.00, I think) unless you wan to make it yourself. Do you have enough flow where the GHA is growing? Are your bulbs old? A WC will/would help also. Luna

 

I don't have a phosphate test kit (it's on the list), but NO3 is 0 and I do 10% weekly water changes. The lights are less than a month old, 150W MH and 130W actinic PC. I can't vouch for the bubls as they came with the fixture.
The flow is "moderate" as the brain doesn't react well to direct flow. There is also lingering cyano slime that I've dosed for a few times with some success, but keeps coming back.

 

Does your LFS do free water tests? Ask them to test for Po4 while your waiting for your kit. Luna

 

I've asked, they only test the "normal" stuff, same kit as mine. SG, NO2, NO3, Alk, NH4, pH.

 

Try another LFS, mine tests for all that plus po4. How about a friend? Or a friend of a friend. Luna

 

Ding, Ding, Ding ! We have a winner ! Just my opinion. Time to replace bulbs for starters after you test your phosphates. :-/

 

But this was an issue with the old lights (with new bulbs).
Also, when we buy these bulbs, there's no way of knowing how long they've been on the shelf. IMO the ones that come with the fixtures are identical to what I get in the store- not talking about special orders or anything.

So assuming it's not lights and the PO4 is normal, how do I treat my coral? I'm thinking of getting a QT a d dropping it in with Algae-X and Red Slime remover.

 

have you tried a shrimp, tang, or sea hair?

 

My peppermint completely ignores it. The little hermits sometimes help a bit, but not much. Tank is too small for a tang, and I'm not sure about a sea hare. I don't know much about them.