Need help with ID and treatment

[PacsAdmin77]

Hi there,

My Red Sea 170 has been up and running for about four months now. In the last 3 to 4 weeks however, I’ve noticed this algae growing on my sand bed and on some of the rocks. My water parameters have been consistently 2 to 5 ppm of nitrates and 0.03 ppm of phosphate. Can someone please identify what this is and provide tips on how to eliminate it? Since my Red Sea is relatively new, is this algae an expected stage of the tank getting settled?

 

[nezw0001]

Maybe early GHA? For this new of tank I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Maybe early GHA? For this new of tank I wouldn't be too worried.

I have trochus snails, Astrid turbo snails, and hermit crabs as part of my cleanup crew. Are they suitable for GHA? On a sidenote, I’m also seeing white spots all over my tank. I’ve seeded my Red Sea with pods and I see the pods all over the glass tank, but I would be surprised if the pods have multiplied to the point that they’re also covering the rocks and sand bed.