Filamentous Diatoms

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

So I think I am battling filamentous diatoms. I have done tons of reading on this algae that I have been dealing with in my tank and I have come to the conclusion that this is what it is. First I thought it was hair algae but after looking at millions of pictures and reading tons of articles I don't think that is what I have.
The stuff in my tank is a brown color and it looks like hair. It grows from the substrate and on the rocks. When I try to remove it manually it just disintegrates between my fingers and it doesn't pull off of the rock easily.

I'm not sure how to get rid of it. Is this something I need to let run its course? My tank is about 6 months old now and my fish and corals and inverts are happy.

Does anyone have any tips?

Current parameters are..
PH 8.2
Salinity 1.025
Calcium 410
Alk 10.2
Mag 1410
Nitrates 10
Phosphates 0.03

Help me make my tank pretty again! [emoji56]

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

Here is some pics.

FishGuyBri · Mar 9, 2017

I'm in the same boat. My turbo snails love it! Lol

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

My turbos don't seem to touch it

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

can you get a closer pic? that doesn't look like a diatom from here.

what kind of sanils do you have in there now. And if it helps, is a pretty good looking ugly phase. And the old guys are often correct, stuff does just go away.

Here's a neat article...
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/must-read-for-planning-new-setup-cure-cycling.294017/

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

I will try to get a better pic tonight. As far as snails go... I have 2 turbos.. 2 cerith.. 3 margaritas.. 2 nassarius.. 3 astrea and 2 nerite. And a handful of red leg hermits

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
I will try to get a better pic tonight. As far as snails go... I have 2 turbos.. 2 cerith.. 3 margaritas.. 2 nassarius.. 3 astrea and 2 nerite. And a handful of red leg hermits

cool. Very Good CUC btw....

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

Thanks! Still not good enough to get rid of this algae though. Should i try some blue leg hermits?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
Thanks! Still not good enough to get rid of this algae though. Should i try some blue leg hermits?

lets see what it is. Id bet a tooth brush would be more effective. Its quite likely onced its mowed down the CUC may be able to keep it mowed down.
Im not big on too many crabs. They eat my snails and stomatellas....

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

I used a toothbrush last night. The problem I had is when I took the rock out of the water it was almost impossible to see where the stuff was...

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

I tried to take some better pics..

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
I tried to take some better pics..

Those are better. What makes you think its a filamentous diatom?
It looks a lot like GHA. buuutt...

GRRR I cant find a good confirmed science Pic of gha (derbesia) types.

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

It was just something I read. It's not green like typical hair algae. Is hair algae normal for tanks right at the 6 month mark?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
It was just something I read. It's not green like typical hair algae. Is hair algae normal for tanks right at the 6 month mark?

Just odd angles are normal to phase in and out the first year or so.

Is it slimy to touch, or is it stll like a slimy plant when you pull it out?
If you look real close its not like a feather or fern?(bryopsis)

Hmm, more eyes. My friend @bios and the invaluable #reefsquad

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

It's not fern like at all. It's even thin. Slimy to the touch and very hard to pull off of the rocks because it kinda just disengrates.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

Geez, well lets get some opinions and then maybe some new cuc is in order.

Did you by chance use a lux or par meter to set the lights? If it stays a pain you could lower intensity or pull the red out.

NakiFantaki · Mar 9, 2017

I don't. [emoji53] I was thinking of doing a few day black out... it might be hair algae... I am going on vacay in a few days and I plan to do a big clean up and a water change before I leave. If it's still an issue when I come back home I'll take more drastic measures.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
I don't. [emoji53] I was thinking of doing a few day black out... it might be hair algae... I am going on vacay in a few days and I plan to do a big clean up and a water change before I leave. If it's still an issue when I come back home I'll take more drastic measures.

nice. Im never one to jump right to vibrant, gfo, giant fish you don't want to eat stuff.