29 Gal Bio cube Reef

Question
Hello David,
I have 25 lbs of Florida reef rock that was cured in this tank for about a year. The rock was beautiful when it arrived but after curring has lost just about all it color. everything now has pretty much stabilized but it took along time for Nitrates to get to a maximum of 20ppm. A aquipure nitrate filter was added underneath, also an 25lb of crushed aragonite. I'm still doing weekly water changes and can never seam to go below 20ppm Nitrates and the Hardness is through the roof over 121. Every other test is in range. Is that harmful? I wanted to try getting some color back into the rock using Purple UP and it didn't fair to well with some feather dusters and hermits? All a keep getting is a green grass like algae over everything including snails?

Answer
Hi Robert,

From what you've explained, it sounds like you are experiencing what many hobbyists have gone through... an outbreak of hair algae. Try excessive protein skimming, to drastically lower the nutrient levels and DOC levels (Dissolved Organic Compounds) in your aquarium. If you don't already have a good protein skimmer, then I would highly recommend to get one.

To help find the source of the problem, (regarding having an outbreak of hair algae and regarding having high nitrate levels), take a good look at your fish foods, one or two of them may contain high levels of phosphates and silicates, which is used by the hair algae to fuel it's growth. Make sure not to overfeed... this is the number cause of hair algae outbreaks.

Regarding the live rock, it will eventually with time regain it's former beauty as the aquarium ages, and as you get a grip on the hair algae outbreak.

Regarding doing water changes, make sure you are using reverse osmosis water, or reverse osmosis deionized water, this water has been excessively filtered, which removes any leftover contaminants and nutrients that are typically found in home tap water.

Regarding the CaribSea Purple Up, it's a good product, however it does not need to be used everyday or excessively. I'd recommend to cut back on its use. Perhaps use it once a week, or 3 times a month, this will supply sufficient calcium to your aquarium.

I wish you the best of luck with all your future saltwater aquarium endeavors.