Dirty Live Rock

So, my tank is cycled and i'm starting reef. For about 2 weeks the live rock i have was beautiful after the tank cycled. It seems now that it is getting hairy again. I have two Turbo Snails that are getting lazy. Why am i having such a hard time keeping the rock attractive looking? any suggestions?

 

do you have a pic of said algae? What are your nitrate and phosphate levels? What type of filtration do you run and do you have a nutrient export system such as a turf scrubber, fuge with macro algae, or GFO reactor? Did you conduct a water change after the cycle? Are you using tap water or RO/DI water for water changes and top offs. Is your tank getting direct sunlight? In a reef tank, your live rock will eventually be covered in Caroline algae but first we need to find out what is causing this unwanted algae to grow.

 

My nitrate and phsphate levels are all normal. I have a portein skimmer. I conduct water changes often even though i have the protein skimmer. i use RO water for changes because i have corals. There is no sunlight.... I'm waiting to see coraline algaeeeee... thats the purple hardish algae correct? I'm not sure whats causing the "hairy look".... what do u think???

 

It could be diatoms, its normal for a new tank they will go away just give it time. My tank had it for a like two weeks.

 

yeah i had this outbreak of diatomes before when it was first cycling... i did add two new clown fish... but i'm not sure if this is aiding in the outbreak of algae that doesnt make since. maybe my snails will start working and clean up the house.... eeh it's so ugly i hate it:-/