Green algae in top layer of substrate

[NormanB]

Hi Al

I've got a green algae that likes to grow in the top 1/4" of the substrate and clump it together to some extent. It's kind of hard to explain but sort of like a loose mat of algae and substrate mixed together. I can mix the bed and it looks ok for a day or so but comes back again. Crabs pick at it as does the yellow tang. Added some sand sifting snails (25) in a 75 g tank no change...may need more.

The tank just passed it's 2 month anniversary and there has been little issues to this point. No diatoms...no GHA...no red slime.

Thoughts on what it is and how to end this mess? Besides this everything else looks great and purple coralline is growing nicely.

Usual parameters...

Nitrites 0
Nitrates 2
Phosphate 0.02
Ammonia 0
Alk 3.5 meq/l
Ca 420
Mg 1400
Salinity 35 ppt

Skimmer runs 24x7 Reef Octopus Classic 150-INT

Thanks to all and if I forgot some important info please let me know and I'll add it.

 

[lapin]

I have had a type of green Cyano that did that. I think it was a strain of Spirulina

 

[NormanB]

Thanks...how did you get rid of it?

 

[lapin]

I waited 6 months for it to go away. Vacuumed the sand once a week for about a month. I also turned down the white light spectrum just a hair. I had red cyano on one side of my tank and green on the other. I still have a bit of both, but nothing to worry about.

 

[my.PsychReef]

If the clean up crew picking at it, then don’t worry about it. Let them settle it. Might take some time. But patience is the key. If it doesn’t go down then can either increase the number of CUC or siphon it out. Tank is still new let it settle by it self.
Cheers!

 

[NormanB]

Thanks all for your advise.

I've decided to let it ride being it is still so young and supplement the CUC.

 

[Smokey101]

I

Thanks all for your advise.

I've decided to let it ride being it is still so young and supplement the CUC.

Hello, I have the same algae (green slime) it started growing on 1 side of tank, of which has been up for almost 9 years. I had it before in tank running for 4-5 years, mine only went away with scraping top layer of sand to get the algae attached to sand, about 1/2 inch or so and added live nitrifying bacteria, changed filter pad weekly and cleaned bio balls before adding the good bacteria. I can say just leaving it mine just got thicker and spread on live rock and in sand. Stirring it into sand will kill it if no light reaches it. But one speck that gets light will grow very fast. There are chem treatments but I have not used any. BTW, I have it now in my tank, part of one side. Going to take rock out and hose slime off soon. Good luck.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Does it blow away with gentle blasts of turkey baster ??
A Pic would be Very helpful to help determine type and cure

 

[Smokey101]

I am not sure that low of a pressure would do it, I take it outside and hose it off (well water) doesn't hurt coraline algae, still growing. I've been up all Saturday night with animals (having kittens) so I'll try get photo tomorrow, lights off anyhow. Thanks

 

[Smokey101]

Does it blow away with gentle blasts of turkey baster ??
A Pic would be Very helpful to help determine type and cure

finly got photo, been adding fritz zymere it not the level of other nitrifying bacteria, such as microb lift but it helps. Thanks Mark

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like a type of cyano but more of a film.
I would increase flow a little and try either ChemiClean OR liquid vibrant and reduce white intensity in half.
By chance, is this tank at or near a window?

 

[Smokey101]

Looks like a type of cyano but more of a film.
I would increase flow a little and try either ChemiClean OR liquid vibrant and reduce white intensity in half.
By chance, is this tank at or near a window?

Ok, I'll give one of those a try, thank does not get sunlight stays fairly dark when light off. Thanks f info!