Help identify this algae.

[thatone08]

Originally thought it was cyano but it’s no really a mat. It’s more like long wispy red hairs. It is only on the sand.

what does it look like to you?
Cyano, red hair algae or something else?

 

[A Young Reefer]

looks like diatoms to me, would like to hear what others think

 

[Greg P]

I see Cyanobacteria

 

[RobbieMaynard]

Reminds me of cyano when I had it. Tried a steady stream of water changes to Syphon it up. Unfortunately it kept coming back worse. After fighting it for a month I went the chemiclean route. Didn’t harm corals or fish. But you have to make sure your tanks parameters are stable. Otherwise it can return.

 

[Greg P]

Reminds me of cyano when I had it. Tried a steady stream of water changes to Syphon it up. Unfortunately it kept coming back worse. After fighting it for a month I went the chemiclean route. Didn’t harm corals or fish. But you have to make sure your tanks parameters are stable. Otherwise it can return.

And you want to keep the tank aerated !!!

 

[thatone08]

Thanks all!

 

[RobbieMaynard]

Found pics. All i had of the 90gbow.

And you want to keep the tank aerated !!!

Absolutely correct. I ran an air stone during the treatment.

 

[Rjmul]

Please do not hit your tank with chemi clean over this.
It looks to me like diatoms. Maybe cyano. Just add more flow

 

[damsels are not mean]

If it doesn't bother you much, just wait it out... Especially if the tank is young. Anything you do to try and kill it now will not be a permanent solution and probably will do more harm than good.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is definitely cyano. Right now, no cause for concern. Simply siphon and reduce white light intensity a little. If it comes back quickly and becomes a nuisance do as below. Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations go haywire. Just like when you eat too much sugar and your waistline starts to bloom, the same happens in your tank when concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank beautifully clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 5-7 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.
La

 

[sfin52]

It is definitely cyano. Right now, no cause for concern. Simply siphon and reduce white light intensity a little. If it comes back quickly and becomes a nuisance do as below. Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations go haywire. Just like when you eat too much sugar and your waistline starts to bloom, the same happens in your tank when concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank beautifully clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 5-7 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the week, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.
La

I also fond cyano when the nutrients drop to zero

 

[vetteguy53081]

I also fond cyano when the nutrients drop to zero

Often nutrients are blamed for cyano. Dino, yes. Cyano more so with underfiltration, lack of water movement, over feeding and poor water source