Cyanobacteria and Green Hair Algae

[NikoO]

So I've been having an issue with nuisance algae and bacteria for about a month now. I just got back from a week long vacation and I come back to an algae filled tank. I'm reading 0 nitrates and phosphates, but I assume the algae in my system is consuming them from the water column. I run biopellets and feed sparingly. What should I do to remedy this issue? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[NikoO]

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[Big G]

You are probably right on the money about the nitrates and phosphates being used. How old is the tank? Do you have a sump/refuge?

 

[NikoO]

The tank is 5 months old, and yes I have a sump with a refugium. I have chaeto and sea lettuce in my fuge. @Big G

 

[Denisk]

When I see it this bad, I would recommend taking out the rock and scrubbing it down really well. Then doing a large water change and getting a good clean up crew. It will not be a quick battle to get rid of the amount of algae. Best of luck!

 

[NikoO]

Okay, ill try that out when I do my water change today. I've been blowing off the rocks and stirring the substrate as well @Denisk

 

[Big G]

Welcome to the "new tank uglies" that will continue for awhile until your tank matures a bit more. Been there, done that.
Your best friends are a toothbrush and a siphon hose. Turn up your powerheads and gently scrub the algae while holding the siphon near by. When done, change your filter socks after letting the water flow for a bit. Do a water change. Repeat as necessary. At one point I was doing this every two - three days, until the algae faded. Lots of elbow grease my friend. Lots. And get one of these if you don't already have one. It's great for stirring the tank sand and spot feeding later for some corals/fish.

 

[Denisk]

Also it maybe really helpful if you really post as much info about your tank. I’m sure we will all be able to help.

Things to answer :
Tank size
Salinity
Ca
Kh
Mg
Temp
No3
Po4
Fish load
Feeding habits
Skimmer
Water change schedule
Etc

The more you give us. The better it is for us to help address the issue.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

Was the rock "used", live or dead rock that you put in the tank?

 

[NikoO]

The rock was used (I know) When I first bought my tank, the guy also gave me the liverock. Me being me, I just plunked the used rock right into the water and began cycling.

 

[John3]

Some of that looks a bit like Dino’s. Can you get a clearer pic of the longer strandy stuff?

I’m not saying gha can’t spread fast but this seems really fast as you said it appeared after being on vacation for a week. Dino’s can pop up almost overnight. The treatment would be different for Dino’s.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

I have done battle with gha. It could survive a nuclear haulicaust. I would buy a hanna ul phosphorus tester to start watching phosphate, scrub the rocks, start running gfo and then read up on treating your tank with fluconazole to kill the gha. Do not think good husbandry will kill it.

 

[NikoO]

@Denisk
Tank size 60 gallon cube with ~15 gallon sump
Salinity 1.024 - 26
Ca 470
Kh 7.9
Mg 1410
Temp 77-79
No3 0
Po4 0
Fish load 4 fish. 1 ~2 inch bristletooth tang, 2 clownfish (pair) 1-2 inches each, 1 Randalls Goby about 3 inches
Feeding habits pellets for the clowns (1 mini pinch) daily or every other day. Mysis once or twice a week broadcast
Skimmer CS 180 Seaside Aquatics
Water change schedule 5 gallon weekly
Etc

 

[NikoO]

@John3
Are you referring to the algae on the rocks, substrate, or glass?

 

[NikoO]

Thanks for all the opinions guys!!!
Even though I have unsightly algae in my tank, my corals are exploding in growth. My acros are encrusting their plugs, my torches and acan are sprouting heads.

 

[NikoO]

Anyone else have a different idea of what I should do?

 

[John3]

Pics 2/3/4 especially the strandy stuff on the glass. Do you see a lot of little bubbles in the strandy algae? Does it look snotty or like a chea pet?

If you can get some closer up pics that would help. Dino’s is a bacteria and it usually pops up when nutrients are close to zero. From the pics I’m leaning towards Dino’s but a closer pic and description is needed to confirm it.

 

[John3]

When I battled Dino’s surprisingly my corals were fine, except some pulsing Xenia which would catch all the snot.

 

[NikoO]

The stuff of the glass is stringy and sticky looking. no bubbles or offshoots like a chea pet

 

[NikoO]

@John3 D0es this help?