Alage Growth

[codytbuckner]

I have this alage growing that is getting worse. I clean it up and it comes back worse than before. Can someone identify it? The lights make it look purple but it's a red/brown color.

 

[chowwil]

How old is the tank. Looks like new tank. Normal for new tanks until the tank fully establish.

 

[codytbuckner]

How old is the tank. Looks like new tank. Normal for new tanks until the tank fully establish.

The tank is about 45 days old. What is it and how long will it last?

 

[lapin]

That looks like Cyano on the Sand. Not good but will pass if you turn down your lights, vac it up, and get something else to use up the nutrients its living on

 

[codytbuckner]

That looks like Cyano on the Sand. Not good but will pass if you turn down your lights, vac it up, and get something else to use up the nutrients its living on

How do I lower the nutrients?

 

[lapin]

How do I lower the nutrients?

You can change water more often. Vacuum the sand bed more. Grow macro algae in your sump (chaeto and ulva are easy). Get an Algae Turf Scrubber. Oh and lastly feed less. If you cant feed less then use live or frozen food instead of flakes and pellets.

 

[Ubergroover]

First make sure you have a reliable test kit. Find out if your no3 and po4 levels are high. Make sure ammonia is zero. If high, do a weekly water change. There are many ways to control things. Depending on your experience. However the basics always win. Cyano is a result of nutrients out of balance. Also if your LFS sells cured live rock buy some. It is your filter. However, a mature tank takes more or less a year. When your tank matures you will know it. Be patient as success in this hobby is rewarded in the long term.