New tank purple algae

[1fastrock]

Hello I am problem with a tank that my dad has just recently set up. The tank is a 32 gallon biocube with stock lighting. It is stocked with a decent clean up crew of crabs and snails as well as 2 firefish and 2 clowns. For some reason the tank is having a problem with this purple algae. It is pretty easy to get off the rocks but just comes back after cleaning. I will include pics of the water sample that I took today. Any help would be really appreciated!

 

[James M]

That’s cyano. How old is the tank ?

 

[1fastrock]

I set it up on the first of the year so about 3 months old now

 

[James M]

You are in the new tank uglies, It’s perfectly normal. You just have to wait it out

 

[1fastrock]

Sounds good should I reduce the lights or do water changes at all? How long does it take to get through this

 

[Algaewarrior]

You can use cyano rx or chemiclean if you really want it gone. When you do a water change suck up as much as you can of the rocks and sand bed. Are you using a skimmer?

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Add some flow. It usually grows in dead spots where there is no movement.

 

[1fastrock]

I appreciate the help. I do have a small protein skimmer that I haven't set up yet but I can ad it if you think it will help. Ill also set up another powerhead and see how that helps

 

[Dragon52]

I would also get better test kits, Red Sea or Salifert. I've used the API kit & it doesn't give correct readings.