Green algae problem, I think?

[tanner86]

I recently bought a 29gal oceanic bio cube to transfer all my fish and coral into from my wall hanging tank. The new tank did not cycle before the move because I had to take the wall tank down to make room for my new 140gal tank. I would have cycled the new tank, but the 140gal was a snap decision from and man who was selling his entire system at a price I couldn't refuse. Anyway, the bio cube has gone through the diatom stage without incident and is now onto the green algae stage. This algae has grown slightly on my two leathers and they seem quite unhappy. Is there anything I can do? Maybe wash it off or just let the tank cycle? Any help would be appreciated.
Water parameters:
ammonia-0
nitrate- >12.5 and <25
nitrite- <.3
ph-7.8
phosphate-0.25
salinity-1.025

I just ordered new filters for my R/O and am assuming this is what is driving the higher phosphate and possibly nitrates. The chemical tests on 4-27-06, everything was perfect.

Also, my sixline wrasse is harrassing my feather duster. Should I lay my feather duster all the way in the sand rather than up against a rock? Maybe the wrasse would be less likely to go after the feather duster.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Well you NO3 is too high for a reef tank but that should not effect your leather too badly. What people do no fail to see is that the algae is eating up the very things you are testing for. I would say you were in better shape if you had algae and your test levels were testing 0, at least you know that most of anything in the tank is already getting eaten, so the problems can not get much worse. As it stands now, with 12.5-25 NO3 and .25 PO4 left over after your algae has eaten, there is alot left for alot more algae.

Green algae is a wade range of algae out there... What type of green algae is it?

If it were me, I would: 1) get your new filters ASAP, 2) get something in there that will eat your algae depending on what type of algae it is, 3) remove as much of it as I could by hand to see if your leathers improve.

The thing you do not do is add something in a bottle to "remove" algae.

 

[tanner86]

The algae is a light, almost neon green algae. I have not added any chemicals to get rid of the algae, I know it has to cycle. I am heading to Marine Fish now to pick up some saltwater and do an immediate water change until my filters get in. I am hoping this will reduce the phosphate and nitrate levels.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

What does the structure of the algae look like?!?

Here, use this for a visual cue:

 

[tanner86]

I was going to send you a pic of the algae, but can't figure out how to. The algae is not slimey looking, but when I wiped it off the leathers it was very slimey. I know it's not hair algae. It looks matted on the rock. Thousands of tiny speckled pieces all clumped together. If you look close the algae does not form a nice solid film over the rocks. I hope this helps. If you know how to attach a pic please advise. Thanks