Hair algae, dino or diatoms?

[Jake_the_reefer]

This is growing in my 10g nano. It looks like diatoms to me but I'm not quite sure. The nitrates are at 10ppm which leads me to beleive they are diatoms and not dino. I'm not quite sure. I can also invest in a micro scope if need be. I'm also thinking possible hair algae but this is the only location of it

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Dinos bloom in a no nitrate condition and usually on top of other algae. I'd say diatoms.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Dinos bloom in a no nitrate condition and usually on top of other algae. I'd say diatoms.

I was incorrect the nitrates in 0

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

Are phosphates at 0 too? Usually need both with strong lights on a long duration. If they get stringy or snot like in appearance then, yes. You can dose nitrates and phosphates to raise them if you're worried. That combined with manual removal over time is the best way to stop the bloom.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Are phosphates at 0 too? Usually need both with strong lights on a long duration. If they get stringy or snot like in appearance then, yes. You can dose nitrates and phosphates to raise them if you're worried. That combined with manual removal over time is the best way to stop the bloom.

Under the sand is a thick slime substance so I'm thinking dino then. I'll check po4 tonight. I'll turn off my skimmer to let nutrience rise. I'm using a tiny air stone skimmer and it must be doing too good of a job

 

[Bret Brinkmann]

I would think you need more than even the best skimmer to take out all the nutrients. I got a dino bloom from running way too much Phosban and running 20K LEDs for 12+ hours. Dinos tend to be worse in the brighter spots and don't really go in the shaded sections.

What lights do you have and what test kits are you using?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I would think you need more than even the best skimmer to take out all the nutrients. I got a dino bloom from running way too much Phosban and running 20K LEDs for 12+ hours. Dinos tend to be worse in the brighter spots and don't really go in the shaded sections.

What lights do you have and what test kits are you using?

I'm using a 150 watt chinese black box at about 40% blue 10% white. And I'm using api kit

 

[Bryson.bobby]

I’m thinking cyano. Can you take some better pics

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I’m thinking cyano. Can you take some better pics

It's for sure cyano. Its red and made a thick layer on top of the sand. I'll have to figure out how to beat it

 

[Bryson.bobby]

It's for sure cyano. Its red and made a thick layer on top of the sand. I'll have to figure out how to beat it

Chemiclean should work. How old is your tank?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Chemiclean should work. How old is your tank?

It's about 4 months. I just tested po4 (salifert) and its .06 and nitrate is undetectable.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I assume it's a flow issue as well. The only spot with the cyano is a low flow area.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Try bringing up your nitrates and it SHOULD start going away. It’s probably caused by the imbalance of no3/po4. And yes, the low flow is allowing it to grow in some spots.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Try bringing up your nitrates and it SHOULD start going away. It’s probably caused by the imbalance of no3/po4. And yes, the low flow is allowing it to grow in some spots.

I'll unplug the protein skimmer. I didn't think this tiny little skimmer could clean the water so well lol. This is a crazy question but should I add some skimmate back into the tank to raise nitrates or is that not safe

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I notice alot of sources say cyano is from high phosphate and nitrate while dino is from low

 

[Bryson.bobby]

I'll unplug the protein skimmer. I didn't think this tiny little skimmer could clean the water so well lol. This is a crazy question but should I add some skimmate back into the tank to raise nitrates or is that not safe

Yeah, you can dump it back in. I would actually recommend to keep the skimmer on without the cup for aeration

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Yeah, you can dump it back in. I would actually recommend to keep the skimmer on without the cup for aeration

I can just leave the air stone in the water
Also do you know of any powerhead for a 10g that are nice and small and are under $60? I upgraded my return pump but it's still not kicking around as much water as I like

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I have the aqueon 500 powerhead and I feel it might be too strong. It's not in the tank it's just moreso the fear of it being too much

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Okay I ordered chemiclean red slime remover it will be here tomorrow. Should I try the aqueon powerhead just to add some circulation or invest in a smaller one?

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Okay I ordered chemiclean red slime remover it will be here tomorrow. Should I try the aqueon powerhead just to add some circulation or invest in a smaller one?

Maybe try pointing it towards the surface of the water, should still have plenty of flow