Cyano/Coralline??

[Mandurion]

What's up reefers,

So i have noticed a reddish color growing on my rocks and I wasn't sure if this was cyano or some signs of coralline growing. I don't currently have a picture but can upload one tomorrow. I did a 5 gallon water change a week ago (60 gallons total in tank + sump). I will list my most recent parameters from test.

pH: 7.8 (usually 8.1-8.3, could this be the problem?)
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 78.3-79 F
Nitrates: 15
Alk: 8.3
Calcium: 420
Phosphates: 0.44 (usually less than 0.1, I will probably test again)

I currently have a mesh bag with some carbon in a high flow area and I started using the marine pure ceramic spheres in the refugium. Does the lower pH and higher phosphates signs of something going on unusual? Thanks!

 

[dhjunkie]

Im not sure if your numbers would be considered elevated however, I believe elevated phosphates can lead to cyano outbreaks.

Your pH is on the low end of the generally accepted range.

Tough for me to tell from your description. Generally, coraline is purplish and encrusting. Usually cyano is 3 dimensional and may look mucuslike.

Hope this helps.

 

[rkpetersen]

Can you blow it off the rocks with a turkey baster or similar device? If so, it's cyano. If not, probably coralline.
Cyano will also trap small bubbles of oxygen under it; coralline doesn't.
A pic would also be good.
Phosphate seems very high; hopefully just testing error.

 

[Alexreefer]

I believe this is cyano. Elevated po4 many times contributes to cyano. I would lower the po4 use some gfo in a mesh bag or reactor. Also, I believe a 5 gal w/c is small for a 6o g. a 25%(15g) should help reduce po4 as well

 

[bluprntguy]

Your phosphates are a bit higher than most people like.

Is this a tank that’s just finished cycling? It sounds to me like diatoms, which are pretty normal after a cycle. Cyano is usually reddish/pink. Diatoms are usually rust colored.

 

[Mandurion]

Can you blow it off the rocks with a turkey baster or similar device? If so, it's cyano. If not, probably coralline.
Cyano will also trap small bubbles of oxygen under it; coralline doesn't.
A pic would also be good.
Phosphate seems very high; hopefully just testing error.

Yes I can blow it off the rocks, I tried that yesterday. I will post a picture tomorrow morning when I am back home!

Your phosphates are a bit higher than most people like.

Is this a tank that’s just finished cycling? It sounds to me like diatoms, which are pretty normal after a cycle. Cyano is usually reddish/pink. Diatoms are usually rust colored.

Tank is almost 3 months old and I had a wave of diatoms so I bought some snails and crabs. Diatoms were gone in 2-3 days.

 

[Mandurion]

Here is a picture of it on the rocks with some white lighting on. Looks like more of a brownish red to me and I noticed some new cloudy build ups on the glass. Does this help clarify any options of what exactly it is?