ID Please: Algae on Sand After Chemiclean Treatment

[Macbalacano]

Photos, video, and parameters below. Finished Chemiclean treatment and followed instructions closely, which completely got rid of my cyano problem and sand was super clean immediately after. However, 1 week later, I'm noticing this algae that is ONLY on my sand getting worse.

I know my nitrates and phosphates are high, just started a refugium with Chaeto a few days ago. Tank is 1 year old, but was moved, so essentially reset 6 months ago. Running skimmer pretty wet and carbon. Fish, corals, inverts all seem totally fine.

What is this stuff? Anything I should be concerned about?

Alk: 144 or 8.5
Calcium: 430
Magnesium: 1350
Phosphate: 52 or 0.16
Nitrates: 25
Ph: 8.15-8.30
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 80

 

[emilio365]

It might be a Diatom bloom.

 

[Macbalacano]

It might be a Diatom bloom.

Was thinking the same... hoping its the case actually. But worried it might be something else. Fingers crossed that other folks say the same!

 

[paul barker]

I think the same i do a water change and clean the sand

 

[Macbalacano]

Bump

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its diatoms. Siphon up well and reduce white light intensity a little. See how long it takes to return.
After ChemiClean treatment, did you siphon tank? You should have.
Also check your phosphate and nitrate for elevated levels.

Lastly if you dont have any of these, add the following cleaner snails:
3 nassarius
3 astrea
4 turbo
3 Trochus
3 cerith
6-8 blue leg hermits

 

[Macbalacano]

Its diatoms. Siphon up well and reduce white light intensity a little. See how long it takes to return.
After ChemiClean treatment, did you siphon tank? You should have.
Also check your phosphate and nitrate for elevated levels.

Lastly if you dont have any of these, add the following cleaner snails:
3 nassarius
3 astrea
4 turbo
3 Trochus
3 cerith
6-8 blue leg hermits

Thanks very much for this, super helpful. I'll give this all a try!

Used to have a very healthy snail population but my elegance just keeps killing them.

I might pass on the hermits though as I've been running a 'crabless' tank. Concerned about them causing trouble haha

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks very much for this, super helpful. I'll give this all a try!

Used to have a very healthy snail population but my elegance just keeps killing them.

I might pass on the hermits though as I've been running a 'crabless' tank. Concerned about them causing trouble haha

These are very miniature hermits that stay busy all day cleaning

 

[Macbalacano]

Update: they were definitely diatoms. Started a Fuge immediately after chemiclean treatment. Been running the fuge now for about a week and nitrates and phosphates have been steadily decreasing. Diatoms have been getting less and less everyday!