What is this and what can I do to rid it.

[zatchyvsalt]

I have this algae growing all over my rock work. Please see pic below. I also included my lighting schedule in case anyone has any better recommendations.

I would like to rid the algae naturally if possible, currently I have 2 hippo tangs, 1 Cole tang, and 1 gem tang and a lawnmower blenny to try and combat it. The blenny and Cole seem to be the ones to pick at the rock work the most but cant really keep up with the algae. What CUC do you recommend or possible sea urchins or anything else for that matter.

Also lights sit about 9 inches above surface of water, should I raise the lights a few inches?

Parameters:
170 Gallon display
4 Redsea LED 90’s
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
PH: 8.2
KH: 9
Cal: 500
Salinity: 1.025
Phosphate: .05
Mag: 1410

Appreciate it.

 

[TX_REEF]

tuxedo urchins may help, or a sea hare. Trochus snails and small hermits will also help keep it at bay in early stages once you have it under control. At that growth density, some manual removal may be warranted as well.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

tuxedo urchins may help, or a sea hare. Trochus snails and small hermits will also help keep it at bay in early stages once you have it under control. At that growth density, some manual removal may be warranted as well.

So would you say hair algae is what it is?

 

[TX_REEF]

So would you say hair algae is what it is?

if it's hair algae, you should see your tangs picking at it. If not, it may be turf algae which generally requires manual removal.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Tooth brush, hard work and patience. Turn the white light down. Tank looks young started with dry rock. It's par for the course and normal.