Algae ID

[jman]

Hi guys
I have a little problem and not sure how to take care of it. I had a few small spots of this algae then after a 20% water change it has exploded. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[James M]

Looks like cyano. Your tank looks new so part of the ugly stage

 

[Snookin]

Agree with the tank looking new and it’s probably cyano and an ugly phase. What are your Nitrates and Phosphates? If they are 0 or very low this can cause cyano. Doesn’t look like you have many corals so I would recommend just holding off on water changes and monitor your nutrients. Your tank looks too clean and new.

 

[jman]

Yes my tank is less than a year old. Is there anything I need to do to keep this under control?

 

[Snookin]

Yes my tank is less than a year old. Is there anything I need to do to keep this under control?

Just blow them off with a turkey baster and maybe increase flow. But patience and make sure your nutrients aren’t too low. Bacteria like cyano thrive in low nutrient environments.

 

[jman]

Ok thanks I only have a anomine and a toadstool leather. I have a clown fish, yellow tang, and a lawnmower blenny. I also have some blue legged crabs and snails but all but 1 of my snails died.

 

[Snookin]

Snails died because they have nothing to eat. Your tank looks new and too clean. Leather looks bleached out too. Are you running GFO?

 

[jman]

M

Just blow them off with a turkey baster and maybe increase flow. But patience and make sure your nutrients aren’t too low. Bacteria like cyano thrive in low nutrient environments.

My nitrates are .50 and my phosphate are .25

 

[Snookin]

.50 is low for nitrates
.25 is too high for phosphate

 

[jman]

Snails died because they have nothing to eat. Your tank looks new and too clean. Leather looks bleached out too. Are you running GFO?

No should I be? My levels are staying pretty low.

 

[Snookin]

No should I be? My levels are staying pretty low.

I don’t like to run GFO. I was thinking you may be stripping nutrients from water column if you were running GFO.

 

[Snookin]

M

My nitrates are .50 and my phosphate are .25

What test kits are you using?

 

[jman]

Sorry its API and my nitrates are 5.0 not .50

 

[Snookin]

API are terrible and inaccurate. You should look at replacing those.

 

[jman]

I have been reading that a lot. What do you recommend?

 

[Snookin]

Salifert for nitrates
Hanna for phosphate

 

[jman]

Thanks alot I will look into this.