Orange algae growing in my sand

[reefbuilder1010]

I have a innovative marine 50 gallon lagoon aio tank, it has been up and running for 4 months now. I have been fighting algae problems for a while i had a massive infestation of hair algae which I believe I am winning the fight with after two and a half weeks and now I have a orange algae growing in my sand any idea on what it could be and any suggestions on how to get rid of it will be much appreciated. My tank build consists of
1 ai prime 16 hd light
Im dc protein skimmer
Media basket
Filter sock
Hydor 1350 gph circulation pump
Titanium heater
Tunze 3155 ato
15 gallon im ato reservoir
I also use a aqua fx 4 stage rodi system for all my water because I know tap water can cause problems
Clean up crew consists of
5 red legged hermit crabs
4 emerald crabs
10 Nassarius Snails
Pincushion urchin
For fish I have
2 clowns
1 yellow tank
1 tiger jewfish
I have not added any coral to this tank yet but I do have some in my qt tank which is a 14 gallon bio cube I did the media filter mod to it for better filtration
The coral I have are
1 arctic ice palythoa
1 yellow polyps
1 blue eyed monster zoanthus
I attached pictures below of the coral also
My tank looks like a mess and would like it to look good again. Here are some photos of how the tank looks now could be diatoms but am not sure

 

[KrisReef]

New tank at 4 months, probably diatoms. If you are lowering tank nutrients to fight hair algae diatoms could result from going too low?

(Looks like this post got missed over the Holiday?)

 

[reefbuilder1010]

It is now turning red bought a media reactor to try to lower my phosphates because they are through the roof right now it just can in today so am gonna put it in this weekend when I have time and hope that helps

 

[Uncle99]

So I do see the list of equipment but I did not see any reporting of water parameters, their current level, and how long they have been mostly stable.

I find pest algae’s and Cyano seem to arise in younger tanks with either high nutrients or a significant imbalance between N and P, or absolute zero.

Always start with water chemistry when anything goes arise.

 

[Spieg]

Might just be part of the normal "ugly phase" that most new tanks go through. You mention high Phosphate levels but what about Nitrate? Algae on the sand turning red sounds more like Cyano than algae. Gravel vac as part of water changes will help some, but if it is Cyano, you may want to introduce some competing bacteria (maybe Dr Tims or Microbacter?).

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its cyano and classified as bacteria
There is likely elevated levels of phosphate and nitrate which need s to be tested and verified. You can then siphon this all up, Clean your filters and reduce white light intensity a few days and add chemipure Elite which will take care of Phos/nitrate if they are found to be high

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Finally got my levels partially under control my media reactor helped a lot to drop my phosphates in a week still have some dialing in to do but definitely moving in the right direction

 

[Cole.mormon]

Get those nitrates to 10

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Get those nitrates to 10

Just did a 10% water change yesterday to try to help get them down tank is clearing up nicely am going to test later and post parameters again

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Looks like cyano to me. I had (still have a bit) in my tank a few months ago. i mean I had an absolute OUTBREAK. It was growing on every surface available. And it became long and stringy and eventually blackish grey. I got some Chemiclean and it went away within maybe 4 days? I still have a bit now so the other day I decided to start treating again: the cyano didnt go away completely after like 6 days, but all my other algae is gone now lol. Treat Chemiclean, make sure you use an air stone or just put the powerhead slightly out of the water so that lots and lots of bubbles are created. Bubbles are essential to success

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Ph 8.3 nitrite 0 nitrate 15 ammonia 0

Calcium 436 alkalinity 8.7 phosphate 0 here are my parameters as of yesterday we’re getting there but need a little work all my cyano is gone still have a tiny bit of diatoms left but is working it self out more and more everyday went a little to low on phosphates so trying to get that back up a touch but overall not to bad would like the calcium to be around 450 and nitrates to be down closer to 10 so gonna do another water change tomorrow but so far so good!

 

[Uncle99]

Good report.
Zero in either or both N and P is problematic.
If your N is 10-15ppm (which is fine) then phosphate needs to be in the 0.03-.1ppm range.

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Good report.
Zero in either or both N and P is problematic.
If your N is 10-15ppm (which is fine) then phosphate needs to be in the 0.03-.1ppm range.

Thank you!

 

[Saltyoklchick]

New tank at 4 months, probably diatoms. If you are lowering tank nutrients to fight hair algae diatoms could result from going too low?

(Looks like this post got missed over the Holiday?)

Having the same problems. Good luck !

 

[KrisReef]

Ph 8.3 nitrite 0 nitrate 15 ammonia 0

Calcium 436 alkalinity 8.7 phosphate 0 here are my parameters as of yesterday we’re getting there but need a little work all my cyano is gone still have a tiny bit of diatoms left but is working it self out more and more everyday went a little to low on phosphates so trying to get that back up a touch but overall not to bad would like the calcium to be around 450 and nitrates to be down closer to 10 so gonna do another water change tomorrow but so far so good!

Phosphate Zero? I presume you are not using a Hanna ULR Checker, but still with API?

Zero is close to what you want but having zero isn't ideal. Good job with the nitrates.

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Phosphate Zero? I presume you are not using a Hanna ULR Checker, but still with API?

Zero is close to what you want but having zero isn't ideal. Good job with the nitrates.

I am using a Hanna phosphate checker took everything out and started over with out filter media( except carbon and filter floss), skimmer and media reactor phosphates are back up to .08 and nitrates are back up to 32. Just put filter media back in tonight and skimmer going to try to cut back on my light (from 12hrs to 10) and see how everything reacts any other advice is much appreciated!