[73stang]

yes for the most part. Let me explain actions/thoughts to date. I am aware that I need to reduce the nitrates/phosphates in the tank.

When I test for these I essentially get 0 readings. The thought is that the algae is at a point where it is using up the available nitrates. In otherwords, it is a nice green carpet, but it is not growing more as it has reached the point of using up the available nutrients. Hope this makes sense...

the skimmer I have is an older C-6 that was running fine on my old tank, a 480 gallon (my first saltwater tank, lol). I moved last year and in the process upgraded to a 840 gal tank. Same skimmer. I dont think the skimmer was adequate. After unsecessfully fighting the algae for about 6 months with snails and the like, I finally broke down and spent the money to retrofitt/upgrade the skimmer two weeks ago. Seems to be much improved now.

I have seens some loss of algae since upgrading the skimmer. My thoughts are that I am not fully utilizing the skimmer's capabilites yet as the nutrients I want to get out are tied up in the algae. By physical removal of the algea, I reduce the overall algae in the tank. In theory the balance of nutrients will be shifted to allow more algae to grow, but since I now have the larger skimmer going it should be able to remove the "free" nutrients now to help prevent more algae growth. Slowly tippiing the balance back to a near algae free system.

That is the hope at least. I have tested my make up water and get 0 nitrates/phosphates also, use DI/RO. Also do a 75-100 gal water change weekly right now also.

Heard that the older lights may ahve a shift in spectrum whcih can benefit algae growth, so changing those out now.

All in the battle of the hair algae.

ack, too much typing...