Algae ID help

[scottyitsk]

Please help!

nitrates 5ppm
Struggling to raise po4 but dosed neophos

600 gallon system

snotty, blows right off.... light brown and filamentous

 

[Dan_P]

Please help!

nitrates 5ppm
Struggling to raise po4 but dosed neophos

600 gallon system

snotty, blows right off.... light brown and filamentous

This looks white. Could this be bacteria? Algae are typically colored.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Please help!

nitrates 5ppm
Struggling to raise po4 but dosed neophos

600 gallon system

snotty, blows right off.... light brown and filamentous

Its a condition known as Chrysophytes which has a cottony appearance which is cellulose and thrives in in low nutrient environments. Raising nitrates and performing a 3-5 day blackout will defeat it. Best removal is to remove rock and place in a container of tank water and scrub off with a firm toothbrush or automotive detail brush and even some 3% peroxide and return to tank while reducing white light intensity.
You can add snails such as chiton, ninja star, astrea as well as pitho crabs to help prevent regrowth.

 

[scottyitsk]

Thank you so much for the reply! I was thinking it was that myself after hours of researching last night!

I will do the black out, I got my nitrates to 5 -7 ppm. Phosphates still 0 after full bottle of neophos. Ordered some trisodium phosphate today. I will do a wrapped tank blackout and try to get some of the listed cleaners you suggested.

I have heard that fluconzole works too very well.

taking rocks out of tank is not possible. 500 gallon tank and whole reef is cemented and acrylic rodded together :/