hair algea caused by sponge on return inlet?

hello all again
well i have a question and i hope someone on here has a good answer....
on my return pump (magna 950) i have a sponge filter that is over the inlet, this sponge is 3" x 5" x 8"
would this be a possible cause to my hair algea problem?
iv noticed many a critters living in it and would it be better to just let it be unprotected?
all other perams are where they need to be (and i do check everything)
some test are twice weekly others once a week

 

How often are you cleaning the sponge filters?

 

You are going to have to clean the sponge frequently to rid the sponge of collected detritus etc. and to allow the pump to function effectively and efficiently!

 

well i think i havent been doing to well on the cleaning lol
i think in the last 6 months i have cleaned it twice,

do i really need it on there in the first place?

 

Nope And if you don't clean it regularly, leaving it on there will do more harm than good.