Maroon color--Is this algae or a sponge?

[Jedall]

I have a few spots of this in my tank. Is it bad or good? It looks like a sponge but I haven't been able to find any ID online. Any clue what it is? Is it a weird looking cyano? Red algae?

 

[Tahoe61]

Cyano, a turkey baster will remove it or a power head.

 

[Jedall]

So I scraped some of it off with the turkey baster and it looks like this underneath. Should I scrub this off with a toothbrush?

 

[Tahoe61]

Sure you can scrub it off, but it might just grow back. Cyano can be problematic if the conditions are right: lower flow, higher nutrients. It seems like the time of year when we see more cyano in tanks (well at least I always see more cyano in the fall and winter). Consider changing the directional flow of the power heads if able, get a base line nitrate and phosphates. If you're dosing amino acids, acropower, spongepower or some zeo products reduce dose or time between dosing.

 

[Jedall]

Thank you! This is my first winter with the tank. I'm not dosing anything yet, but I did adjust the flow to hit those areas a little better. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Tahoe61]

You're welcome.

 

[Babygecko1233]

You can scrub it and suck it up with the turkey baster or a cyphin hose while making a water change. That's what my boss has me do.