Algae--in over my head

[guysgal1993]

Hello. I'm new to reef2reef--long time lurker, first-time question. My tank has been up and running for almost 2 years (100-gallon mixed reef). Parameters last taken 7/14/23: temp 78.1, alk. 11.2, salinity 1.025, amon 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0.3, phosphate 0.03. My issue is dusty "algae" covering sand and rock surfaces. I went on vacation for 1 week. I chose to underfeed while away having my son only feed Nori, and 1 cube a day--and the regular dose of all-for-reef. Previously, almost 6 months I battled an awful GHA problem with I tackled and beat by doing water changes, changing lighting (removing red and reducing whites to almost nothing), adding a GFO reactor, and scrubbing surfaces with H2O2. Whatever "algae" this is its not GHA. Anywho, I'm still doing the water changes (bi-weekly 10%), running the GFO, and reduced lighting.The advice I'm reading swings so much and I just don't know what to do. Diatoms, as I understand it, are a new tank issue and not bright green--so I'm leaning not diatoms. Dinos--well I have no idea. I can tell you there are no bubbles in the "algae", not stringy, no slimy...just dusty bright green. I clean it out with every water change and in a day or two it's back. It might be silicate related??? Our water line had a break in it, right after my RODI system was totally contaminated--and I replaced all filters and media (TDS are reading 0 or 3 depending on how long I run the sytem). I am thinking about getting a UV sterilizer, although I have no idea where to place it, and I hate to spend $400 on one if I don't need it. Maybe Rowphos is the way to go...or maybe just buy a ton of copepods. I'm at a loss. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[X-37B]

Pics would help.

 

[TheSheff]

Hello. I'm new to reef2reef--long time lurker, first-time question. My tank has been up and running for almost 2 years (100-gallon mixed reef). Parameters last taken 7/14/23: temp 78.1, alk. 11.2, salinity 1.025, amon 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0.3, phosphate 0.03. My issue is dusty "algae" covering sand and rock surfaces. I went on vacation for 1 week. I chose to underfeed while away having my son only feed Nori, and 1 cube a day--and the regular dose of all-for-reef. Previously, almost 6 months I battled an awful GHA problem with I tackled and beat by doing water changes, changing lighting (removing red and reducing whites to almost nothing), adding a GFO reactor, and scrubbing surfaces with H2O2. Whatever "algae" this is its not GHA. Anywho, I'm still doing the water changes (bi-weekly 10%), running the GFO, and reduced lighting.The advice I'm reading swings so much and I just don't know what to do. Diatoms, as I understand it, are a new tank issue and not bright green--so I'm leaning not diatoms. Dinos--well I have no idea. I can tell you there are no bubbles in the "algae", not stringy, no slimy...just dusty bright green. I clean it out with every water change and in a day or two it's back. It might be silicate related??? Our water line had a break in it, right after my RODI system was totally contaminated--and I replaced all filters and media (TDS are reading 0 or 3 depending on how long I run the sytem). I am thinking about getting a UV sterilizer, although I have no idea where to place it, and I hate to spend $400 on one if I don't need it. Maybe Rowphos is the way to go...or maybe just buy a ton of copepods. I'm at a loss. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think the best first step is for you to take a picture of it. Your parameters dont look terrible and nothing is bottomed out.

 

[Dburr1014]

Reef Cleaners

A good guide to identify most of the nuisance algae that plagues the hobby. Complete with pictures and suggested treatments

www.reefcleaners.org

Sounds like micro algae.
Mag float is your friend.

 

[guysgal1993]

I think the best first step is for you to take a picture of it. Your parameters dont look terrible and nothing is bottomed out.

As soon as the lights come on I'll post a pic.

 

[KrisReef]

Until the lights come on, I just wanted to say that if you’re in over your head you are doing it wrong. I would encourage you to get a mask and snorkel if you intend to keep at this. It’s a lot more fun when you can keep your eyes open under water.

Seriously, I hope we can help find a truly useful solution for this situation, mine is probably not going to be it.

 

[guysgal1993]

Reef Cleaners

A good guide to identify most of the nuisance algae that plagues the hobby. Complete with pictures and suggested treatments

www.reefcleaners.org

Sounds like micro algae.
Mag float is your friend.

Oddly enough it's not on the glass. It's on the sand, and rock surfaces. This is what makes me think diatoms BUT the color is a bright green, and my tank is established. Another factor that may or may not affect whatever is going on is my live rock--after multiple tanks using actual LIVE ROCK for this particular tank I went with LifeRock(looks great but I can't say I like it much). My concern is could it be leaching sometime into my water???

 

[guysgal1993]

These are my thoughts on tackling it today...
Do a 10 gallon water change. Take out my GFO, siphon out as much of this stuff as possible. Add chemiclean (following directions). In 48 hrs do another water change 20%.
Order the Triple DI Saver to add to my RODI--my gut is telling me the issue is from my water source (drought conditions water is pretty ugly from the tap, and that water main break release so much trash into the water lines).

should I continue with GFO or maybe ROWPHOS???
and I believe a UV sterilizer may be something I should consider--I just hate spending the money???

 

[vetteguy53081]

is the tank at or near a window?
What snails do you have and how many ?
Are you using any tap water even for top-off?
What is tank temperature?

 

[kevgib67]

Google green Cyanobacteria and see if it is a match. Not a lot to go on until you get a picture after lights go on.

 

[guysgal1993]

The light just came on. 1st pic is the sand bed. 2nd pic is to show rock surfaces. Dusty and will just wipe off.

 

[guysgal1993]

is the tank at or near a window?
What snails do you have and how many ?
Are you using any tap water even for top-off?
What is tank temperature?

No windows by the tank.
Chiller running, the tank is a constant 78.1
RODI water (4 stage) for top-off and to use to mix my saltwater (using Red Sea Coral Pro)
4 Mexican turbo (recently added), then a mixture of Nerite/cerith snails. A mixture of blue and scarlet hermit crabs of varying sizes. I add CUC about every 3 to 6 months--no more than 5 at a time. One brittle star that I've had for at least 3 years now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

No windows by the tank.
Chiller running, the tank is a constant 78.1
RODI water (4 stage) for top-off and to use to mix my saltwater (using Red Sea Coral Pro)
4 Mexican turbo (recently added), then a mixture of Nerite/cerith snails. A mixture of blue and scarlet hermit crabs of varying sizes. I add CUC about every 3 to 6 months--no more than 5 at a time. One brittle star that I've had for at least 3 years now.

Gret- you have that portion covered. This substance appears to be cyano opposed to algae and can be green, yellow, purple, red and even brown.
If correct (as I see pics on smaller screen) - some causes can be:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

Often, short period blackouts can help reduce this and even stop its reproduction in addition to adding liquid bacteria such as MicroBacter 7 at 1.5ml per 10 gallons for 7 days

 

[coraler07]

I use this thing I use thing called like dr Tim’s, it is an absolute godsend. I used to have a ton of algae, all gone overnight. Would totally suggest.

 

[Dburr1014]

Looks like cyanobacteria

 

[guysgal1993]

Just treated with chemiclean. I've got Microbacter 7 on its way here.
Fingers-crossed this works.
Thanks everyone...will post updates.

 

[guysgal1993]

Until the lights come on, I just wanted to say that if you’re in over your head you are doing it wrong. I would encourage you to get a mask and snorkel if you intend to keep at this. It’s a lot more fun when you can keep your eyes open under water.

Seriously, I hope we can help find a truly useful solution for this situation, mine is probably not going to be it.

Man, my kids are going to think I'm super weird when I break-out my scuba gear to enjoy my aquarium...lol.

 

[guysgal1993]

***Update.

Two rounds of Chemiclean and the tank is looking so much better--Thanks all for the advice.
I've also been dosing Microbacter7 and added Galaxy Pods.
Continuing with the weekly 20% water changes.