Does anyone know what this is?

[r98]

I have previously battled with diatoms, I then battled with the below (first pic) - it was suggested to just scrub the rock so I did and it was fine..

But, as you can see in the second photo, I have to deal with this once a week? Not sure what it is so no idea how to treat it... I have just been removing it from the tank when I do a water change

When testing water, there are no issues..

 

[unchaotic]

Interesting, my wife had something similar absolutely blow up in her little freshwater aquarium.

 

[LAX Noob Reef]

Dinoflagellates, or simply Dino the worst Algae.

 

[LAX Noob Reef]

On another note, get a UV killing thing, and run it with tank "COMPLETE" black out for a week. I think dosing some hydrosomething.

 

[Ryde]

I have previously battled with diatoms, I then battled with the below (first pic) - it was suggested to just scrub the rock so I did and it was fine..

But, as you can see in the second photo, I have to deal with this once a week? Not sure what it is so no idea how to treat it... I have just been removing it from the tank when I do a water change

When testing water, there are no issues..

looks like cyanobacteria. I'm no pro on the subject although I fought it in the past, so here's a bump for you.

 

[r98]

I thought it was cyano myself tbh... when I remove it from the sand it follows the same characteristics as that on other peoples videos (breaking down etc)

However, due to the air bubbles being present, is it safe to presume that it is Dino?

 

[homer1475]

Cyano. Typical red and green.

The air bubbles trapped in it are just that. Dino's are typically brown and "snotty"(for lack of a better term) looking. Dino's look more like mucus from your nose when your sick.

 

[r98]

Cyano. Typical red and green.

The air bubbles trapped in it are just that. Dino's are typically brown and "snotty"(for lack of a better term) looking. Dino's look more like mucus from your nose when your sick.

Thanks for your reply!

How would you suggest treating? I have seen a mix of people using snails or chemicals?

 

[homer1475]

know what your nitrate and phosphate readings are? Vacuum your sanbed to clean up the dead material rotting in it?

Chemiclean will clean it up, but if you don't fix the underlying issue, it will just return after the treatment.

 

[r98]

I will add, that after manual removal again on Sunday, this is all that has come back (first photo, looks almost black with hints of purple) - is this it on its way out?

There is also some green hair algae present on a rock (very very short) and then what looks like purple hair algae on another. Not sure if this helps

I have also attached a photo of my caulerpa which seems to be overridden with the purple hair algae - could this be the cause of my problem?

 

[r98]

know what your nitrate and phosphate readings are? Vacuum your sanbed to clean up the dead material rotting in it?

Chemiclean will clean it up, but if you don't fix the underlying issue, it will just return after the treatment.

I will test again after work and let you know... I did have a problem with phosphate which caused diatoms but that was solved using phosguard in my media basket

 

[r98]

know what your nitrate and phosphate readings are? Vacuum your sanbed to clean up the dead material rotting in it?

Chemiclean will clean it up, but if you don't fix the underlying issue, it will just return after the treatment.

I think vacuuming sand bed, chemiclean and removing the caulerpa all together is what I will do? Will also add dose with nitrifying bacteria

 

[homer1475]

I will test again after work and let you know... I did have a problem with phosphate which caused diatoms but that was solved using phosguard in my media basket

Diatoms are created by silicates, not phosphates. Phosguard did not clean it up, it probably burned out on thier own as they do in new tanks. Silicates are found in "new" sand, and until the silicates are burned out, diatoms show up.

As hair algae dies off, cyano will cover it to suck out the nutrients to feed itself. Typically why when you see dieing hair algae, it's covered in cyano.

 

[r98]

Diatoms are created by silicates, not phosphates. Phosguard did not clean it up, it probably burned out on thier own as they do in new tanks. Silicates are found in "new" sand, and until the silicates are burned out, diatoms show up.

As hair algae dies off, cyano will cover it to suck out the nutrients to feed itself. Typically why when you see dieing hair algae, it's covered in cyano.

Thank you for your help
Will follow the above treatment and post with updates

 

[homer1475]

I honestly would do nothing until I took a reading of NO3, and Po4. If these are out of wack(way beyond what the redfield ratio (10 to 1 nitrate to phosphates), cyano will flourish.

Get NO3 and Po4 in line with the redfield ratio and I find cyano pretty much stays at bay. Of course if your sandbed is gross, then the redfield ratio means nothing as the cyano will feed off the nutrients in the sandbed.

 

[r98]

I honestly would do nothing until I took a reading of NO3, and Po4. If these are out of wack(way beyond what the redfield ratio (10 to 1 nitrate to phosphates), cyano will flourish.

Get NO3 and Po4 in line with the redfield ratio and I find cyano pretty much stays at bay. Of course if your sandbed is gross, then the redfield ratio means nothing as the cyano will feed off the nutrients in the sandbed.

Okay ta

I will test nitrates later - will have to do phosphates Thursday as waiting on refill test kit to be delivered

 

[Ryde]

Keep us posted!

 

[r98]

Results are in;

Nitrate 0
PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0

Phosphate result photo attached, I think it’s 0?

There is currently significantly less cyano on the sand bed compared to this time last week, could it be the case that the phosphate levels have dropped?

I am running a Fluval Sea Evo 52L. Just over a week ago I swapped out the standard filter sponge and media to a media basket containing filter floss, phosguard and clear fx pro (advanced all in one filter media). Realised I hadn’t included this...