Red Hairy Algea?

[Richard498]

Hi, I have a new tank and am starting to see red algea growing on the sand. It had hairs growing out of it. It goes away at night, but growth during daylight hours is faster. Is this normal or dangerous? Thank you! Pictures attached

 

[143MPCo]

Cyano

 

[Reefing Madness]

Cyano

 

[crusher201]

Raise your magnesium up to 1400ppm, keep an eye on your calcium and alkalinity. Should start to die off in a week or so.

 

[Richard498]

Thank you! It actually started after I dosed calcium for the first time. I'll add magnesium and test for alkalinity. Thank you.

 

[Reefing Madness]

No don't, jumping up MAG is just for killing Bryopsis, not Cyano.
Get more flow into that area of the Cyano, and wave it off with your hand.

 

[Richard498]

Would waving it off just move it to another location or would it dissipate eventually? I have a nice chaeto growth with some red mangroves in the sump. I thought that was enough, but I guess I was wrong

 

[Reefing Madness]

You want your sump and skimmer to get it. Waving it off, and it will eventually stop coming back there.

 

[Richard498]

Awesome, thanks for all your help!

 

[Bunnee911]

Here is red hair algae

 

[Reefing Madness]

Where?

 

[Bunnee911]

It is a little hard to see. The rock on the right side is still about half covered. It looks maroon in that light. I got a CUC from reefcleaners.org

 

[Richard498]

I brushed off the algea with a turkey baster, then just pointed a powerhead at it and it was cleared last night. Just got home from work and its back. Any special CUC workers that eat this stuff? I currently have just the normal guys; crabs, snails, shrimp, a clam & a scooter blenny (who doesn't do as much as I thought, but looks cool)

 

[Bunnee911]

How big is your tank?

 

[Richard498]

Display is 75, sump is about 25. I just submitted a custom CUC form to that cleaner site you posted. Curious what they offer, never seen a site like that. This is my display.
http://postimg.org/image/q154jchy3/

 

[Richard498]

Reefcleaners.org got back to me and suggested a normal reef package they offer. Anyone know of any special cleaners to help with this algea?

 

[Bunnee911]

Cyano is not really an algae. It is a bacteria. Flow usually helps. On the plus side, it comes in several designer colors. Lol

 

[Richard498]

Guess I'll try different positions for my power head. Thanks.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, moving around the flow, and waving the stuff off, usually does the trick without using any chems in the tank.

 

[Richard498]

My refugium is starting to grow this red stuff now too. Should I start to think about chemicals?