Algae ID?

[AquariumDani]

Hello,

I have new growth of algae. It's dark red and there is some green on the rocks.

What do I add to my tank to get rid of this (and how many - I have a 20G) and what is it?? Also there are spots everywhere? See photo

 

[Instigate]

Why get rid of it? Let the rocks mature imo.

 

[sghera64]

Hello,

I have new growth of algae. It's dark red and there is some green on the rocks.

What do I add to my tank to get rid of this (and how many - I have a 20G) and what is it?? Also there are spots everywhere? See photo

I suspect that is coralline algae. It’s a good sign and it is good stuff.

 

[AquariumDani]

Why get rid of it? Let the rocks mature imo.

I assumed it was hair algae beginning and cyano

 

[sghera64]

I assumed it was hair algae beginning and cyano

It’s hard to tell from the photo which patches you are concerned about. It you touch it with something, does it slough off easily or not. Cyano comes off just by hitting it with a stream of water from a pump or turkey baster.

 

[AquariumDani]

I suspect that is coralline algae. It’s a good sign and it is good stuff.

Do you know what the green might be?

 

[AquariumDani]

It’s hard to tell from the photo which patches you are concerned about. It you touch it with something, does it slough off easily or not. Cyano comes off just by hitting it with a stream of water from a pump or turkey baster.

No, it does not come off easily.

 

[sghera64]

Do you know what the green might be?

This looks like a very new setup. I’d say you about to see hair algae as part of the ugly phase.

 

[AquariumDani]

It

This looks like a very new setup. I’d say you about to see hair algae as part of the ugly phase.

It is a very new tank set up. Do you have suggestions on what to put in the tank to get rid of hair algae?

 

[Instigate]

It

It is a very new tank set up. Do you have suggestions on what to put in the tank to get rid of hair algae?

I would leave it be. What I see there is normal maturation of rock. It's going to grow green or brown algae before it starts to grow coraline algae. If it starts to grow a lot you could add Trochus snails to keep it mowed down or just scrub it yourself with a toothbrush. But it would be purely for aesthetics. Algae isn't a bad thing, your rocks just don't have the biodiversity built up yet to be out-competing the so called "ugly" algaes with other things. Just keep up with your normal good husbandry practices and it will fall in line eventually.

 

[sghera64]

I would leave it be. What I see there is normal maturation of rock. It's going to grow green or brown algae before it starts to grow coraline algae. If it starts to grow a lot you could add Trochus snails to keep it mowed down or just scrub it yourself with a toothbrush. But it would be purely for aesthetics. Algae isn't a bad thing, your rocks just don't have the biodiversity built up yet to be out-competing the so called "ugly" algaes with other things. Just keep up with your normal good husbandry practices and it will fall in line eventually.

+1

Takes 2 to 4 months depending on what is in the rock, sand your water change volumes and herbivores in the tank. Having a macro refugium after month 3 can help as well as a good skimmer.

 

[Matt Carden]

This is my ugly stage after 4 months.

 

[Wolf89]

Its precursor to coraline, it's a good sign. You dont really get rid of it. Hermits might help though

 

[AquariumDani]

That’s good to hear. I won’t get rid of it then, thanks for the help!