Problem Solved? Or at least identified?

[jjboods]

Upon further inspection, it seems that one of my kids(I assume) put something in my sump.
At this point it is unrecognizable other than a lump of RUSTING METAL!!!!!!!
This cannot be good for the tank, that I am sure. But...could this be the cause of the hair algae that I have been fighting?

 

[russianspy]

Depending on the metal yes, Metals contain phosphates, or at least one kind does, I can't say for sure but I know its a fact

 

[rbmount]

After removing, I would do some water changes also.

 

[jjboods]

The phosphates in the tank tested at zero. Either it's releasing something else or my phosphate test kit is shot.

 

[jjboods]

Water changes are on the menu!