brown fuzzy stuff

[CubanHogFish]

Hi can anyone identify what we see here in this pic my tank has been up and running for 11 weeks ive gone trough a diatom bloom already so i can rule that out on this one its not dusty like. its more of fuzzy type and also the pink/purple that's growing on the rock. originally it as dry rock.

 

[CubanHogFish]

here is another pic

 

[Breakthecycle2]

It's cyano.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

It's cyano bacteria.

 

[KJ]

Diatom.

 

[Oceansize]

Cyano. In my case, it is an indication that nitrates and /or natural sunlight are on the high side. I hate cyano, but I want to keep some level of nitrates in my tank to support coral growth, so I've been living with it until very recently.

I use a canister filter instead of a sump and that canister includes a UV lamp. The UV Lamp stopped working years ago back when the tank was freshwater and I never bothered to replace the bulb until just last week. My rockwork and sand are now absolutely clear of any cyano despite a nitrate level above 15 ppm. Usually, nitrates this high in my tank would mean everything is covered in cyano. But not any more.

The point being I am now a believer in using UV to kill cyano without needing to keep nitrates at zero, which would cause my tank to suffer from sterile tank syndrome.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Diatom.

Its not. Thats cyano. Mine looked exactly the same.

 

[KJ]

A Simple Guide To Common Problematic Algae And The Means To Control It..

 

[KJ]

DIATOMS:

Diatoms are just a natural things that happens in a new aquarium and will normally will subside with in a few weeks to a couple months.


ID: This Algae normally forms on the sand, glass and rock work of a new tank. It has a variety of colors from a dark reddish color to tan, brown and green. On a lot of occasions there will be oxygen bubble's trapped in the algae from photosynthesis.

HOW TO CONTROL IT:
Medium to strong flow across the sand bed and rock, and watch the amounts of Silicate being added to the system ( top off water and water change purity is the main cause for silicate being introduced to the system )

NATURAL HERBIVORES:
Astrea snail, Turbo snail, Tangs, Trochus snail, Almost all blennies.

 

[Tahoe61]

It can actually be both Cyano and Diatoms. Sometimes when you add new equipment or add a silicates to the tank you'll see the occasional dusting of diatoms.

Since your tank is about 4 months old I would not be too concerned yet. Make sure you have adequate flow, maintaining low nutrient levels. You'll probably see it initially get worse before it gets better. Cyano is ugly and frustrating but with adequate flow and a low nutrient system it will pass.