Help!! I dont think slime algae and polyps mix!!!

[clayton]

I have recently aquired a lovely colony of green star polyps. They are growing at a rate of about 10-20% a month in surface area. The polyps are on a columnar rock, The polyps originated on the top of the column and are now spreading down the sides. I have 1 38w actinic, 2 10,000k 30w daylight tubes, 1 20,000k 30w daylight tube and 1 38w triton (I will be adding another actinic this weekend). The polyps are placed very close to the top of the tank. Up until a couple of days ago the polyps were doing brilliantly but then some black slime algae appeared on the top. All the water conditions are good, nitrite = 0, nitrate = 0, pH = 8.3. The tank is new and therefore may still contain some phosphates and nutrients from the tap water that are aiding the slime algae. Appart from 1 or 2 other small spots in the tank that are not spreading, there is no other slime algae and it is by far the worst on the top of the polyps.
The algae is not spreading down the sides of the rock column and over the polyps that are growing there, it is only present on the top. I am currently removing the algae on a daily basis but it shows no sign of letting up. The polyps on the top of the rock are starting to suffer.
My dilemma is this: Do I move the rock to a darker area in an attempt to lose the algae and risk not giving the polyps enough light or do I leave it where it is and hope that the algae eventually receeds. It is possible that the algae is drawing nutrients from the rock or the polyp casing.
I am aware that green star polyps do not need as much light as other polyps but what would you say the minimum is??
What do you think? Do I move it to a darker area or try something else. Any experience on this one would be great!!

 

[krazzydart]

It does not really matter where you put it because it will not matter ..... I too am currently battleing this delema of black slime ...... I have asked how to rid this stuff and no one really knows..... My fish place told me to do a quick rinse under a cool fresh water bath.... I did on some of my rock and the slime seamed to rinse right off.... the corals and everything seemed to be doing ok now..... but the slime is still preasent........

 

[kass]

I would see if moving them to a stronger current would help. Sometimes detritus settles on them and grows algae. Algae grows from nutrients. Find the source.

 

[clayton]

Well I moved it to a darker spot and the polyps themselves increased their expanded size. The polyps are mostly able to push through the algae during the day and almost every night I carefully list off the slime algae with a wooden splint. The colony is doing excellently and now spreading at a rate of up to 3mm a day around the edges.
I recently removed the Triton in an attempt to combat the slime algae - it did no good, but the polyps are looking even healthier without the red end of the spectrum.