Question on GHA

Is it normal for gha to grow in small patches rather than a massive outbrake? I've seen some tanks that have been overrun by this algae but mine is just growing in very small patches. Is this normal at the beginning?

 

very normal IME
if you keep the nutrients low, Nitrates and Phosphates then the algae may spring up on a piece of rock , but only spreads when conditions are very good (very bad from our perspective) whilst its like this, is the ideal stage to deal with it, if you have a Phosphate reactor, maybe time to renew the media, and at same time try and remove the patches you have off the rocks, before it does start to spread

Steve

 

I agree with Steve here. Small patches are normal to start with and can of course explode rather rapidly if tank conditions are not improved. I too would suggest that you pull what you can, RO/DI water changes & evap replacement, test for Phosphates and Nitrates and also vacuum any detritus from your sand and rocks. It’s also been suggested on this web site that certain salt mixes contain ammonia and phosphates – might want to test your make up water.

 

Ok, i'm still going through my cycle and as of last night my nitrates are at .20. I don't have a phosphate reactor. If I don't have an underwater vacume is it ok if I just reach in and pull it off the rocks? I wish I could get some CUC to take care if it, but I don't think I can

 

It's ok to remove it by hand, but befour you do this you will want to get a bucket of fresh water to wash off your hands every time you remove the gha that way you will not be putting the gha back into your dt.

 

ok, i think i'll try to do it later today, i think the long pieces will be kind of easy to pluck, but the shorter ones a bit harder

 

Just remember to dip your hands in the fresh water to remove any gha that's still on your hands and fingers

 

hi puffer... this is kind of typical for end of cycle...

i had the same thing...

sounds like it's time to add your CuC and let them handle this.

you know where to go, right? reefcleaners.org

 

yea i plan to order the majority from reefcleaners, but right now if i have to, i'll by some 1 dollar snails from the lfs until i get my credit card down to be able to afford the rest of the crew. Would the cuc be able to handle my parameters right now, they've been doing a lot of swinging, the only test that's been at 0 now is the nitrite

 

they can handle the nitrate swings.

ammonia no. nitrite... maybe.