ID please?

[TARHEEL78]

I have this red algae that started growing a few days ago. I scrubbed the rocks etc that it was on but now it's back even worse. Anyone know what it is, what causes it and how to treat it?

 

[TARHEEL78]

Another pic of an area on the sandbed.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Looks like cyano. What’s your parameters like?

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

I Garee looks like Cyano. Common in a new tank, how old is the tank?

 

[TARHEEL78]

Been cycled around a month now.

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

Cyano AKA red slime

 

[TARHEEL78]

Parameters are good, phos is 0 and nitrates are at 5. I cut back my light schedule and I'll reduce the amount I feed and see if that helps.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Sounds like a plan. Cyano is commonly caused by unbalanced no3 and po4

 

[TARHEEL78]

Seems to be getting worse. Mainly on the sandbed on only 1 side of the tank.

 

[ahiggins]

If it’s more brown than red, it could be dinos instead of cyano.

 

[ahiggins]

Usually cyano happens when both nitrates and phosphates bottom out. My Dino issue started when my phos went to 0 but nitrates were 2.5-5

 

[TARHEEL78]

Could be my lighting but it looks red as red can be to me.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

If it’s more brown than red, it could be dinos instead of cyano.

Cyano could be a lot of different colors

 

[TARHEEL78]

I'm about to start a full parameter test, I'll post them when I'm done.

 

[ahiggins]

Could be my lighting but it looks red as red can be to me.

Then definitely cyano

 

[ahiggins]

Cyano could be a lot of different colors

In my experience it’s always been a shade of red. Can’t give advice on things I haven’t seen lol even researching I never found a brown cyano. Figured if it’s that rare, I doubt someone introduced it into their tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Cyano yes.
What water are you using? ( Tap, RO, well. . .?? )
I assume newer tank
Causes: Water, overfeeding, new tank and high phosphates. You can use phosphate remover /reducer. . . . Chemi-clean is very effective in removal. Nassarius and aster snails will help with eradication and hermit crabs will help loosen the film.
Loosen with turkey baster and net or siphon to help battle.

 

[TARHEEL78]

@vetteguy53081 RO water, tank is new only a little over a month old. I have 10 nassarius, 8 turbos, a couple astrea and a bunch of blue leg hermits in there(around 30 I think).

Parameters are:
SG 1.026
Temp 78
ORP 399
PH 7.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0 (was at 5 a couple days ago)
Phos 0
Cal 420
Alk 9.0
Mag 1280

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 RO water, tank is new only a little over a month old. I have 10 nassarius, 8 turbos, a couple astrea and a bunch of blue leg hermits in there(around 30 I think).

Parameters are:
SG 1.026
Temp 78
ORP 399
PH 7.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0 (was at 5 a couple days ago)
Phos 0
Cal 420
Alk 9.0
Mag 1280

Parameters looking good. If lights are somewhat bright, reduce to 20% white and 75-80% blue. Try Chemi clean as it does work without harm to coral and bacteria.
Also do add liquid bacteria such as Dr. Tims or Fritz turbo zyme. Increase water flow and aim towards tank bottom without agitating sandbed

 

[TARHEEL78]

I'll look in to the chemi-clean, I added bio-spira when I started the tank but I suppose more bacteria of a different blend couldn't hurt. I'm using Saxbys settings on my hydras and I also have 4 T5s, I cut back the lighting hours a couple days ago to try and help the problem. I just have a pair of gyres now and the blow the sand around as is. Here is a pic of the lighting schedule just in case you aren't familiar with the settings.