Red hair like algae

[JBS92]

I’m having a problem with hair like algae that’s growing in on my substrate. It’s reddish brown in color. I do a weekly water change and use the siphon to do a gravel vac but it keeps coming back. What should I do

 

[moz71]

Sounds like Dino’s. Do you have a picture?

 

[JBS92]

Sounds like Dino’s. Do you have a picture?

 

[moz71]

The color looks more like Cyanobacteria! If you use like a turkey Baster does it blow around easy? Or look slimy? Look up red slime algae or cyano bacteria.

 

[moz71]

Soon people are going to be asking your parameters? What is your nitrate and phosphate levels. This occurs more when they bottom out meaning near zero. Oh and welcome btw!!!!

 

[JBS92]

The color looks more like Cyanobacteria! If you use like a turkey Baster does it blow around easy? Or look slimy? Look up red slime algae or cyano bacteria.

Yep definitely Cyano. I wonder why after 3-4 months it just started popping up

 

[moz71]

Do you test for nitrates or phosphates? Good chance one or both are zero!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Do you test for nitrates or phosphates? Good chance one or both are zero!

That's what causes cyano bacteria?

 

[moz71]

It could be! It is a common reason / scenario that results in cyano. Can get it from other reasons due to nutrient / bacteria imbalance

 

[moz71]

Also btw I don’t see much algae in tank which is highly uncommon for a couple month old tank