ID algae please

[Austin R]

Hey guys I would like to know what this exctaly is and how to get rid of it and how to keep it from coming back thanks!

 

[Maggie321]

With algae, it's probably caused by high nitrates and phosphates. You aren't getting high readings because the algae is sucking it all in for growth. I don't have an ID (although it's probably a mix if cyano and diatoms) but a few large water changes then scheduling regular weekly 10 to 20% water changes should do the trick.

 

[Austin R]

With algae, it's probably caused by high nitrates and phosphates. You aren't getting high readings because the algae is sucking it all in for growth. I don't have an ID (although it's probably a mix if cyano and diatoms) but a few large water changes then scheduling regular weekly 10 to 20% water changes should do the trick.

Ok thank you

 

[Maggie321]

When you do the large water changes, vac your sand bed. It probably has a bunch of detritus build up in it that you can't see.

 

[Maggie321]

Also, if you feed frozen mysis... rinse them. The liquid they are frozen in is full of phosphate for a preservative

 

[Austin R]

Also, if you feed frozen mysis... rinse them. The liquid they are frozen in is full of phosphate for a preservative

I do rinse my food thank you though and I can't vacuum when I try to the algae comes off in a mat and doesn't work well would you recommend just taking as much algae out as I can?

 

[Maggie321]

Break it up and vac the sand. I do think taking out as much as you can helps. Do you have a cuc?

 

[Maggie321]

Even if you only vac a small section at a time.

 

[enaldy]

It looks a little like green Cyanobacteria thou.. if it has a slime texture to it it’s Cyanobacteria. It’s a “tank illness”. I had problem with it long time ago and used Chemiclean twice and it was clean.. just do some water change after it and make sure to follow the box instruction and it will be good... the chemiclean doesn’t affect your corals which is awesome!

 

[enaldy]

With algae, it's probably caused by high nitrates and phosphates. You aren't getting high readings because the algae is sucking it all in for growth. I don't have an ID (although it's probably a mix if cyano and diatoms) but a few large water changes then scheduling regular weekly 10 to 20% water changes should do the trick.

The problem with Cyanobacteria is that water changes alone won’t get rid of it.. usually you have to keep the tank on the dark for a long period of time (which I am sure some corals won’t like). I found that chemical treatment is usually the fast way and more healthy for corals etc.. as I said I used the chemiclean and it as really good.. had to increase oxygenation in the water (some kind of pump wit a tube on the intake will do the trick). Didn’t have to change any light schedule (I decreased the amount of feeding of course to be on the safe side).

 

[Maggie321]

The problem with Cyanobacteria is that water changes alone won’t get rid of it.. usually you have to keep the tank on the dark for a long period of time (which I am sure some corals won’t like). I found that chemical treatment is usually the fast way and more healthy for corals etc.. as I said I used the chemiclean and it as really good.. had to increase oxygenation in the water (some kind of pump wit a tube on the intake will do the trick). Didn’t have to change any light schedule (I decreased the amount of feeding of course to be on the safe side).

I got rid of mine with water changes. I only reduced my photo period by about an hour a day. I don't think chemical treatment is the only way. I prefer to do as little chemical addition as I can. It will take a few weeks with doing water changes, but it can and will happen. I think using chemiclean should be a last resort, but I am not totally opposed to it. Adding chemicals then makes you have to add more aeration which risks introducing micro bubbles which also risks coral health. There are many options to reduce nutrients which will reduce algae, but I believe good ole water changes should be the first resort, not the last resort.

 

[enaldy]

I got rid of mine with water changes. I only reduced my photo period by about an hour a day. I don't think chemical treatment is the only way. I prefer to do as little chemical addition as I can. It will take a few weeks with doing water changes, but it can and will happen. I think using chemiclean should be a last resort, but I am not totally opposed to it. Adding chemicals then makes you have to add more aeration which risks introducing micro bubbles which also risks coral health. There are many options to reduce nutrients which will reduce algae, but I believe good ole water changes should be the first resort, not the last resort.

Water changes can work.. but didn't work for me thou. Maybe because it was lot in my tank (just like the one above). I don't like chemical treatments either don't get me wrong, but it was faster and the way I got rid of my problem lol..