Hair algae on the brain

[Static]

I have a red open brain (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi) that has some green hair algae growing on part of the flesh. It probably covers about 1/10th of the outer ring. Is there a good way to remove it, or should I let it be? I was thinking about starving the algae of light, by covering the brain with an opaque container, but don't know if this would harm the brain.

I don't have much algea anywhere else in the tank, and I think that the brain had this algea on it when I bought it, and the algea has grown since it's been in my tank (about 1 week).

[martym]

I would think that hair algea on a brain would be a sign of a unhealthy coral. Check you water parameters. What kind of lighting do you have. Does the brain open at all to feed?

[danny zubot]

I agree, algae shouldn't even grow on the fleshy part. Is there any skeletal areas showing where the algae is growing?

[Salinity Now]

How old is your tank

[Static]

My tank is only about a month old

Last time I tested was tuesday
amo <0.1
PH 8.5
Nitrate 7
Nitrite 0.2
calcium 440
sg 1.025
KH 120
Temp 81
PO4 0.25

I'll test again tomorrow morning.

there is one small part of skeleton showing, where there is no algae growing. It was showing within 1 day of bing in my tank, but has not grown since. I can not see under the algae, but it apears that the algae is growing right on the flesh, I can see flesh where the algae is thin. The brain deflates sometimes to a point where you can see the outline of the skeleton clearly.

How do you know when it is ready to be fed, does it have feeder tentacles like a candy cane?

My tank is a 20 gal, with a 130 wat coralife pc, a coralife super skimmer (65), and one additional power head that is 200gph. I currently hosts 8 hermits, 6 snails and one yellow tailed blue damsel (1.5" long). I currently feed the damsel once per day.

I think I probably need more flow

I beleive I have an unhealthy coral, what should I do?

[Static]

Todays test results

amo <0.1
Nitrite <0.1
Nitrate 5
PH 8.5
Temp 81
SG 1.025

[Ruth]

I hate to tell you this but I think your tank is still cycling and I'm afraid that brain probably does not have much of a chance. One month is really early to try to introduce corals into a tank. When I set up mine I waited a good 5 months before I put anything other than live rock, sand and fish in there and even the fish did not go in for 2 months. Who knows though maybe you will be lucky and have it survive. My experience with brains is that you do not have to target feed them as they get most of their needs met through the water column and light. I would wait before adding anything else until both you ammonia and nitrite are reading 0 and your nitrate is below 10. Good luck.