algae identification and help

HippoMonstrosity · Jun 17, 2019

I'm having trouble with some sort of algae growth that is very worrying. it is copper colored and primarily on my sand. The concerning thing is I will turn my sand and withing 2-3 hours, the algae has already started to reappear. My nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all near undetectable. My phosphates are higher, but I have stuff in there that has been steadily lowering it. Is this diatoms? Is there a way to permanently stop this?

Tank is a 13.5 gal nano. Corals, 3 small fish, anemone, clean up crew.

As a side note, my protein filter stopped filling up? could this be related?

Idoc · Jun 17, 2019

Can you obtain pictures of the algae on the sand? Do you have access to a microscope?

HippoMonstrosity · Jun 17, 2019

Here's a picture. I might, but it's doubtful my work would have one I could use.

HippoMonstrosity · Jun 17, 2019

this picture was less than 3 hours after I turned the sand manually

Salty Lemon · Jun 17, 2019

How long have you had your tank set up? If it is new, it sounds like the start of diatoms -- which usually start showing up after your tanks cycles. But Idoc was right. We need to see photos for proper documentation.

EDIT: I was typing this up as you were posting your photos.

Salty Lemon · Jun 17, 2019

Does the algae peel off and do bubbles show up on them after awhile? Or is it brown and kind of dusty?

HippoMonstrosity · Jun 17, 2019

My tanks is a bit newer (~2 mo.), but my rock, sand and water was from a friend’s so it should have been pretty well established from the get go. It seems pretty dusty and brown. almost like rust. Never seen any bubbles and it doesn’t peel off like a normal algae.

Salty Lemon · Jun 17, 2019

Cycling isn't the problem. Diatoms generally show up after your tank goes through the cycling process. You have officially graduated too "the ugly stage" of having a new tank. You will be battling diatoms and various algae over the next few months (maybe a year), until you tank becomes established. We have a nuisance algae forum topic which might have some threads and information for you on there. But I'm including a sticky thread from that forum. Diatoms are mentioned on here. Also...if you hop into the search section and type in "ugly stage" you will see tons of threads come up. No one enjoys this part of reefing. You are not alone.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...atic-algae-and-the-means-to-control-it.87351/