Help id algae

[AzReefn]

Hi all

So I've had some algae for about a week and I am hoping you guys can id it and help me get rid of it.
It doesn't seen to have hair, just kinda like a green velvet on the rock.

I think it is possibly from slightly od'ing reef energy a/b. I was told by lfs I should use it for my Lps. I used approx 1/2 the recommended dose (4ml of each), directions call out 2ml per 25g.

I have about 100 gallon total volume. It may be coincidence but I didn't have this algae prior to using it.
Also I noticed it's not growing under the elegance?

I only have 4 corals which is why I think I used too much.

Tank is just about 3 months old.

90g display 30g sump
Chaeto
Weekly 15g-20g water changes

Params:

Ph: 8
Amm: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 2
PO4: .03
KH: 8.15
CA: 390

Cuc-
3 margarita snails
2 trochus snails
2 blue leg hermits

Fish-
3 bangaii cardinals
2 clarkii's

Coral-
Small micromussa
Small 2 head hammer
Small 2 head torch
Blue tip Elegance

Orbit marine led ( I know, it sucks lol)
I have everything almost as high as I can get them for now until I get my t5s up.

Any/all help is appreciated.
Cheers! [emoji482]

 

[Diesel]

That might be a form of nutrients and too much light.
Stop dosing any nutrients, step up your water change and reduce your photoperiod.
It will take a few weeks maybe but you will win the battle.

 

[Somuchflo99]

Earl stages of coralin?

 

[Somuchflo99]

Does it scrape off

 

[Somuchflo99]

How long are your lights on a day and algae is totally normal at 3 months u will have ups and downs with it what kind of filtration are you using

 

[AzReefn]

That might be a form of nutrients and too much light.
Stop dosing any nutrients, step up your water change and reduce your photoperiod.
It will take a few weeks maybe but you will win the battle.

I did stop dosing. From what I've been reading my weekly water changes should be good enough for a few corals without the need to dose. My light schedule is 10 hours a day(actinic/8k/12k) with a 30 minute ramp up/down. 3 of the hours it's actinic only (moonlight). Can I run only the actinic with the same schedule or will that feed the algae too? Would a 4 hours a day photoperiod be sufficient? My corals almost fully retract at night with the lights off, is that ok for long periods of time? I am currently doing 20% (20g) water change weekly. What should I up it to, like 15g every 3-4 days?

Earl stages of coralin?

Would be nice if it were corraline I do have a small amount of corraline on some of my rock but it doesn't seem to be really growing much?
It does not scrape off easy. I haven't tried a toothbrush yet, I didn't want it to spread more than it has already. Filtration is live sand/rock in display, filter sock, and I have rubble and chaeto in my sump. Still saving for a good skimmer. My water parameters seem to be pretty good so I didn't think the skimmer was a necessity right now. I won't be adding anymore fish for a couple months but have been thinking about getting more coral once I put my T5 lights up.


Thanks again for the advice!

~Jason

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think thats the precursor to corraline. If it won't come off, I'd say it is.

 

[AzReefn]

I think thats the precursor to corraline. If it won't come off, I'd say it is.

Really? I hope so, I really want corraline. I think tanks look much better with it rather than the white rock look.
I just googled "corraline starting to grow" and it does look just like what I have! Now I'm excited lol
Do you think I should I still reduce my photoperiod, or should I continue on like I've been?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Really? I hope so, I really want corraline. I think tanks look much better with it rather than the white rock look.
I just googled "corraline starting to grow" and it does look just like what I have! Now I'm excited lol
Do you think I should I still reduce my photoperiod, or should I continue on like I've been?

Clearly it likes what your doing, so...

Congrats.

 

[AzReefn]

Clearly it likes what your doing, so...

Congrats.

Awesome, Thanks!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Awesome, Thanks!

You're absolutely welcome.

 

[AzReefn]

Earl stages of coralin?

I think (hope) you're correct also
After a little googling it appears it might be corraline as you originally mentioned.
Now that I think about it, one other difference in the last couple weeks is my nitrates were usually around 20-25 since I started my tank and about a week before this started to grow my nitrates have consistently been around 2ppm. From what I read in this link it wouldn't have grown while my nitrates were higher. Also I do have corraline spores on a couple pieces of rock and my margarita snails.
Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed ;Happy

 

[Somuchflo99]

My tank did the same

 

[Somuchflo99]

 

[Somuchflo99]

It takes a long time but if u like coraline I’ll love come some time just be sure to get a scraper ahead of time because it will start to take over your glass the one cool thing about coraline is that once it’s there no other algae will control that area there are many colors of coraline as well do some research if u already haven’t and help it grow just be sure to maintain it

 

[AzReefn]

It takes a long time but if u like coraline I’ll love come some time just be sure to get a scraper ahead of time because it will start to take over your glass the one cool thing about coraline is that once it’s there no other algae will control that area there are many colors of coraline as well do some research if u already haven’t and help it grow just be sure to maintain it

Well I just got home and checked it again. It's not slimy, and I tried scraping it off with my fingernail and barely got anything.
I'll stay hopeful. I'll be more at ease when I see some of it change color.

 

[Roy 9121]

What are your white lights set at, and how long are you running your lights?

 

[AzReefn]

What are your white lights set at, and how long are you running your lights?

I was at 10hrs (whites @9 hrs) then moonlight for 3 hours. I'm getting new bulbs for my t5 today and will have the t5 and led. Before it was just led.

 

[Roy 9121]

I was at 10hrs (whites @9 hrs) then moonlight for 3 hours. I'm getting new bulbs for my t5 today and will have the t5 and led. Before it was just led.

But what percentage are your whites at?

 

[AzReefn]

But what percentage are your whites at?

I was running the whites/actinic at 100%. I was only doing that cause I have the Orbit marine led which has pretty weak par ratings. At 12" deep it only has 50-70 par. I have a 4 bulb t5 fixture now to supplement the led. I will be running all the lights now and will be using the led for moonlights after the t5 shuts off.