Lots of algae

I started using tropic marin elimi phos about three weeks ago, now my phosphate level is at 0.

 

Id like to see new pictures of you tank now you have done some manual removal
bet it looks better

your list sounds good to me

Steve

 

Ok heres some updated snaps of the tank after weeding...i also moved a rather wobbly rock.

Just for comparison, a shot of the tank before the outbreak:
FTS just now after manual removal:
As you can see..its not much better...the algae on the glass you see is actually on the back so im not worried about that...this really is just a bad pic:-/
One of the few hermits i have left:

 

Its a good start Timewire I can see the massive field that was on the sand front and right has gone now

just extra comment from me - I can only see one source of water movement in your tank, the return pipe top left hand side?
I dont see any additional P heads or Koralia type flow creators?
lack of water circulation creates dead spots in the tank that waste builds up in and gives you the parameter issues the algae require to thrive

so thus far

Reduce or do not use lighting until problem solved
reduce PO4 and Nitrates - take away the food
increase flow, to prevent dead spots where future wastes can accumulate

Steve

 

nice lawn your algae problem is so bad its starting to look cool lol

you need to shave that green afro and start using some RO/DI water

 

WOW serious Bryopsis--IMO looking at the tank--It does not look very old, nor does it look like there is alot in there yet...If it were mine I would remove the fish and keep them in a temp home. Nuke the rocks and tank and start over with new live sand. Bryopsis is nothing to mess with and it is still early (ASK TANGSTER ABOUT BRYOPSIS). JMO..

 

haha yea if only i could get anything else to grow that fast. And yea steve the only flow in there as of now is the dual-nozzled return pipe but that will be fixed hopefully this weekend, this is the powerhead im planning to get(maybe 2 ive been meaning to ask someone) :Hydor Koralia Circulation Pump/Powerhead UL
I hear the koralias are good products. Only reason i havent done anything about it as of yet is my limited funds being a 17 yearold dishwasher . Thanks again!

 

yes there has only been water in the tank for about a month or so and yeah ive thought about taking the fish out and cleaning everything but the problem is i would not have a single place to put the fish aside from paying the lfs to babysit them and thats also about a 15 mile drive. I'm going to try to fix the phosphate issue i think i have and if that doesn't work i'll have to resort to drastic measures:-X Also the fish don't seem to be affected whatsoever; they swim around peacefully and my 4 stripe has even grow about a centimeter...

 

Just buy a 10 gallon tank and put an airstone in it--It will only take an afternoon to complete this--I just dont think you can totally erradicate this completely--and I think you are headed for some real headaches down the road. Algae will not bother your fish, But it will keep taking over your tank. Especially that kind. See what others opinions are now that they know the age of your tank. Good Luck!!!