I didn't realize that I had 2 light leaks into my res. I fixed one, problem continued, I discovered and fixed the other.
I got the GSE powder, first I had to take my plants out of the reservoir and rinse them well under the kitchen spray nozzle because the brown stuff was so thick. I was able to rinse it off, and underneath, the off-white roots were all still there. I mixed the GSE in with my nutrients, but it would have killed hygroguard, so I didn't add that. And the problem didn't come back. GSE is commonly used in ponds and suchlike for keeping down the algae. I learned a lot through the experience.