Diatoms or something else?

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

My tank went through the nitrogen cycle, but now it seems to be going through another phase. I'm not sure if it's a diatom phase or if this is indicative of an algae problem? (The tank is in a room with a lot of windows...although I don't think it gets direct sunlight.)

I'm not sure if this would contribute to this diatom/algae issue, but I'm pretty sure I've been overfeeding the last few days. I wanted to make sure my clownfish were eating their medicated food so I think I've been giving too much.

cloak · Oct 1, 2016

It looks like Diatoms to me as well.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

cloak said:
It looks like Diatoms to me as well.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

Great links! Thanks very much, @cloak! Guess I will just wait it out.... [emoji51]

twilliard · Oct 1, 2016

Also I see either GHA or bryopsis

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

twilliard said:
Also I see either GHA or bryopsis

Uh oh

helen ann · Oct 1, 2016

ohhhhhhhhh the ugly stage! ugh! Sorry!

twilliard · Oct 1, 2016

Yup just a heads up!

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

twilliard said:
Yup just a heads up!

If it's GHA, is it OK if I scrub the rocks with a toothbrush?

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

helen ann said:
ohhhhhhhhh the ugly stage! ugh! Sorry!

Yes, for sure! Sigh.

helen ann · Oct 1, 2016

TikiBird said:
Yes, for sure! Sigh.

My BC went through it too.
Need to finish out a complete cycle and it will pass.

twilliard · Oct 1, 2016

TikiBird said:
If it's GHA, is it OK if I scrub the rocks with a toothbrush?

Personally I would not do that. GHA can be spread with that action through cell (spore) reproduction.
Remove by hand what you can then apply H2O2 (standard 3%) to that area covering any that you were unable to remove. Let that sit for 4 minutes then put back into the tank.

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

twilliard said:
Personally I would not do that. GHA can be spread with that action through cell (spore) reproduction.
Remove by hand what you can then apply H2O2 (standard 3%) to that area covering any that you were unable to remove. Let that sit for 4 minutes then put back into the tank.

Yikes! This is a dumb question, I think, but will this harm the critters (like feather dusters) living in the rocks?

twilliard · Oct 1, 2016

TikiBird said:
Yikes! This is a dumb question, I think, but will this harm the critters (like feather dusters) living in the rocks?

Most all life will not be harmed. Pods are susceptible however. The treated area will turn white. Try to avoid contact to any soft corals. A pipette works great for controlled application.

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

Thanks, @twilliard. So just so I know what I'm trying to eradicate...is all the green stuff here the stuff I'm trying to get rid of? It's all over! [emoji15]

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

twilliard said:
Most all life will not be harmed. Pods are susceptible however. The treated area will turn white. Try to avoid contact to any soft corals. A pipette works great for controlled application.

Sorry, another question: should I use food grade hydrogen peroxide (like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ATPBAWM/) or just the brown bottle kind from the drugstore?

twilliard · Oct 1, 2016

Yes just the standard 3% from the store.
That looks like turf algae. Its coarse and not much will eat that down.
First try treating a spot of a rock and watch it for 72 hours. You will see what this does to algae to get a good idea on how to proceed.

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

OK, please don't bash me too hard, but....

My nitrates were really high this week. They were 40 ppm a few days ago--I think because I didn't change out enough water initially after cycling and also because I was overfeeding. [emoji15][emoji15][emoji15]

I have done a couple of partial water changes over the last few days and now nitrates are at 10 and I will do another partial water change tomorrow to get them to 5.

Do you think if I keep the nitrates down at this level the green algae will starve and go away on its own?

sawdonkey · Oct 1, 2016

Your tank is new-ish right? Just limit nutrients and let the tank settle in. Most new tanks go through a stage like this. Give it another month. There's probably all kinds of stuff coming out of the rocks that will pass.

After a month or so of limiting and exporting nutrients via water changes, and you still have a ***** tank, then try more drastic measures like h2o2. By the way, in my experience, PO4 is more of an algae cause than NO3.

TikiBird · Oct 1, 2016

sawdonkey said:
Your tank is new-ish right? Just limit nutrients and let the tank settle in. Most new tanks go through a stage like this. Give it another month. There's probably all kinds of stuff coming out of the rocks that will pass.

After a month or so of limiting and exporting nutrients via water changes, and you still have a ***** tank, then try more drastic measures like h2o2. By the way, in my experience, PO4 is more of an algae cause than NO3.

Yep, newish for sure. Thanks @sawdonkey. I will cut back on the food and keep up on water changes.

It's definitely in a ***** place right now. [emoji23][emoji24]