Confused, please help with algae id

[Steve1500]

Tank is 4 months old. Phosphate and nitrates are still both at zero ppm. Used Hanna for phosphate and Nyos test kit for nitrates. Used dry rock and some 1 year old live rock to seed along with LS and bio spira. About 10 fish with no corals yet.

With zero nutrients showing, I would think dinos but this is not dino. Does cyano or red hair algae grow with no nutrients or could they be taking the nutrients up so quickly that it doesn’t register on test kits?

Confused as to what this is. Thoughts?

 

[KJ]

Cayanobacteria.

 

[P-Dub]

With zero nutrients showing, I would think dinos but this is not dino. Does cyano or red hair algae grow with no nutrients or could they be taking the nutrients up so quickly that it doesn’t register on test kits?

Confused as to what this is. Thoughts?

Looks like Ccyano and you have likely answered your question. Often, our test kits are reading at or near zero nutrients but because we have a nutrient uptake system, i.e. refugium, nuisance algae, bacteria outbreak, it will not show. Additionally, nutrients can settle out in the substrate and on rocks allowing a foothold. This is why we always recommend a higher flow in the DT.