Help with algae ID

[dnott3]

Any help with what this algae is and how to combat it is appreciated! The brown that is on the glass comes off in like sheets when I clean the glass. I have been removing small mats of algae off the sand bed when I do water changes. It does cover most of the sand. Tank has been set up for 4 months so possible could just be going through it's ugly phase.

Tank Parameters (API saltwater tests):
Temp: 78 F
Ph: 7.8-8.0
Salinity: 35 ppm (refractomer)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0
(could nitrate and phosphate be locked up in algae?)

 

[Anchor]

THe possibles based on color and description suggest Chrysophyta or Dinos.. to me.

Does it blow off like dust from the rocks or as sheets?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Diatoms snd associated with new tanks . Reduce white light intensity and lightly siphon. Add also some nassarius, and astrea snails as well as about 10 blue leg hermits,

 

[Anchor]

Diatoms snd associated with new tanks . Reduce white light intensity and lightly siphon. Add also some nassarius, and astrea snails as well as about 10 blue leg hermits,

Glad someone has a better answer.. I was struggling..

 

[dnott3]

THe possibles based on color and description suggest Chrysophyta or Dinos.. to me.

Does it blow off like dust from the rocks or as sheets?

It comes off in sheets from the sand bed. I havent noticed a lot of it on the rocks.

Diatoms snd associated with new tanks . Reduce white light intensity and lightly siphon. Add also some nassarius, and astrea snails as well as about 10 blue leg hermits,

I have a few nassarius and about 5 astrea snails along with hermit crabs. How much of a clean u crew would be appropriate it's a 37 gallon tall tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

It comes off in sheets from the sand bed. I havent noticed a lot of it on the rocks.


I have a few nassarius and about 5 astrea snails along with hermit crabs. How much of a clean u crew would be appropriate it's a 37 gallon tall tank?

add 4 turbo, 4 trochus and 4 nerite snails

 

[ReeferWarrant]

@dnott3 check out reef cleaners website, they have CUC packages for reasonable prices. If you already have some you can tailor it to your needs. My instance, I already had some snails and hermits in my tank and needed to replenish so I got a 10 gallon CUC package. Free shipping with packages.

I have a 32 gallon Biocube

4 Astrea
4 Trochus
4 Nerite
1 Conch
1 Tuxedo Urchin
10 dwarf blue leg hermits
4 Nassarius
30 Dwarf Cerith (slightly larger than the size of a grain of rice)
3 Florida Cerith

I also bought certain fish to aid in cleaning/pest removal

Bi Color Blenny (algae grazer)
Pink Streaked Wrasse (flatworms and small inverts)

If it's diatoms, I highly recommend the Conch. Anything on the rocks I'd say the Blue Tuxedo Urchin is a champion as well.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I'd also verify the TDS in your water before you add salt mix. You might be adding silicates to the tank, which was my problem and created a lot of diatoms. Spend the $10 on amazon and get a cheap test kit, well worth it.

 

[dnott3]

@dnott3 check out reef cleaners website, they have CUC packages for reasonable prices. If you already have some you can tailor it to your needs. My instance, I already had some snails and hermits in my tank and needed to replenish so I got a 10 gallon CUC package. Free shipping with packages.

I have a 32 gallon Biocube

4 Astrea
4 Trochus
4 Nerite
1 Conch
1 Tuxedo Urchin
10 dwarf blue leg hermits
4 Nassarius
30 Dwarf Cerith (slightly larger than the size of a grain of rice)
3 Florida Cerith

I also bought certain fish to aid in cleaning/pest removal

Bi Color Blenny (algae grazer)
Pink Streaked Wrasse (flatworms and small inverts)

If it's diatoms, I highly recommend the Conch. Anything on the rocks I'd say the Blue Tuxedo Urchin is a champion as well.

I've ordered from reef cleaners a couple times. I will have to order some more. I think the urchins are awesome! I just dont want him to move around corals when I add them in the future.

 

[dnott3]

I'd also verify the TDS in your water before you add salt mix. You might be adding silicates to the tank, which was my problem and created a lot of diatoms. Spend the $10 on amazon and get a cheap test kit, well worth it.

I will have to do that. I have been buying pre mixed salt water from a LFS. I've been researching an RODI system though. Any suggestions?

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Yeah, I had a couple frags used as hats. The urchin now has a piece of shell it has with it at all times. I haven’t had an issue since.

Below is the one I bought, definitely get a TDS meter too. That way you know when the filters need to be changed.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems

 

[dnott3]

Yeah, I had a couple frags used as hats. The urchin now has a piece of shell it has with it at all times. I haven’t had an issue since.

Below is the one I bought, definitely get a TDS meter too. That way you know when the filters need to be changed.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems

Maybe if I get one I'll get a shell just for him to carry. I looked at that one on the company's website, I dont know why I didn't think to look on amazon!

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Yeah get a flat disc, mines using the trap door from a snail that died. I guess they are sensitive to UV light and that’s why they do that. If you watch it’s always aimed at your lights. There’s a thread on here about 3D printed hats for them haha