skimmer or media reacter

Hi!I've been in the hobby for about half a year and have been surfing 3reef for a few months.This is my first post.I have already switched a tank(from 3 gal to 10 gal),so far so good.
I recently got my first sps coral,all i can say is that it is not dying:-/.I really hope it can grow.I bought a test kit,and found out that i have phosphate problem.I don't know if this is the reason for the poor growth.I also have a terrible hair algea problem(they're every where,walls, the filter, rocks, even on the skeleton of my candycane coral.I'm thinking of improving filtration,but i don't know what to get,a skimmer or a media reactor(most likely running carbon and gfo) from bulk reef supply.My parents think that i spend to much on my 10 gal, and are afraid that the supplies i buy now may be useless in the future.
My equipment: 10gal glass tank; ac50 hob filter; rapid led light; 50watt heater; and some random pump as wavemaker.
I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN GIVE ME ADVICE ON CHOOSING WHICH ONE.
THANKS

 

10 g is pretty hard to start out with ! Do you have a sump? Fuge? Honestly I would go with both, but it's probably going to be hard to fit all of that without a sump. Any fish? Also how high ate the nitrates (nitrates=lots of algae) and how are your other levels? Nitrates are usually caused by detritus left around and/or over feeding.

 

I don't have a fuge, but i have a small area in my tank that is used as a fuge(i have chaeto)
I have two fish a clown and a bluefin damsel.
NITRATES ARE BETWEEN 0 AND 5.
PHOSPHATES ARE ABOUT 0.25.
CALCIUM, ~430

 

When did you cycle?

 

+1 on when did you cycle, +1 on having a sump/refu. what are you using to top off? phosphate (and probably the cause of your GHA growth) may come from your tap water if that is what you are using. get a RO device it worth it. now all this said 10g is very limiting there is not much you can do and well my friend this hobby is expensive. goodluck!

should you give up may i suggest you turn that 10g into a happy betta tank, they are hardy easy and awesome fish.

 

Yes, phosphates will stunt the growth of SPS corals.

I would suggest a nano skimmer like the Hydor Slim Skim Nano, and hang media bags inside the HOB filter with GAC and GFO.

 

I think you should get both I would run BioPellets instead of carbon, they are more effective, and get a good nano skimmer since you have fish.

Maybe you don't have enough trace elements? not enough magnesium? unstable alkalinity/ph?

 

I would suggest not buying any equipment. With a tank your size, simple water changes should be plenty. You can easily do like 30% water changes weekly if you wanted to because of your tanks volume, this will also eliminate the need for dosing because the salt will replensih all the needed elements. Any equipment you buy will be for a ten gallon tank and probably will be useless because as almost everyone in the hobby, the tanks will only get bigger. Just keep up with water changes, don't over feed, have good circulation and wait till you get a bigger tank before investing in expensive equipment. Take that money and start saving for a nice future set up. You hob filter should be enough for mechanical and carbon.

 

Two months ago,for a month.

 

I am using rodi water to top off.I get the water from the LFS.