Rust colored algae

dwolson · Dec 30, 2018

In the last couple weeks I have developed a rust colored short haired algae on my live rock and sand. This tank is several years old. I recently treated my tank with Chemiclean to deal with cyno. Running skimmer and new carbon. I also used a little Vibrant. Ideas? What do need to do to get rid of it?

All = 11.5 dKH
Ph = 8.2
NO2 = 0
NO3 = .05
NH3/NH4 = 0
Temp = 79°F
Sal = 1.024

CC13 · Dec 31, 2018

Following along.

B-ridge · Dec 31, 2018

I have that also on my rocks and sand. Got it after I dosed vibrant. It’s like a dust. Goes away when I blow it off with Turkey baster but comes back

Jason mack · Dec 31, 2018

I think its dinoflagetes...I'm sorry too say ..!!

Jason mack · Dec 31, 2018

dwolson said:
In the last couple weeks I have developed a rust colored short haired algae on my live rock and sand. This tank is several years old. I recently treated my tank with Chemiclean to deal with cyno. Running skimmer and new carbon. I also used a little Vibrant. Ideas? What do need to do to get rid of it?

All = 11.5 dKH
Ph = 8.2
NO2 = 0
NO3 = .05
NH3/NH4 = 0
Temp = 79°F
Sal = 1.024

You never mentioned your po4 .....??? If this is zero and with low nitrates like you have its probably dinoflagetes...

O'l Salty · Dec 31, 2018

It does kind of look like Dino's on the sand bed. Is it stringy at all?

vetteguy53081 · Jan 1, 2019

Dino and/or red slime. Try blowing off with a baster. If it remains- slime. Can be removed with a soft toothbrush. Nitrate would be a suspect

dwolson · Jan 20, 2019

B-ridge said:
I have that also on my rocks and sand. Got it after I dosed vibrant. It’s like a dust. Goes away when I blow it off with Turkey baster but comes back

This stuff is stuck to the rocks, will not siphon off.

dwolson · Jan 20, 2019

??

dwolson · Jan 20, 2019

Did a 36 hour lights out...no change.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 20, 2019

dwolson said:
Did a 36 hour lights out...no change.

Increase water flow OR aim pump towards the area But Do Not blast the area, just allow current to agitate the vicinity of the rocks

dwolson · Jan 21, 2019

I added extra flow but I can't seem to get rid of the algae. Ideas?

Hemmdog · Jan 21, 2019

It’s from the vibrant. You will have it for 3-6 months. This is why I don’t dose things when something looks a little off

Neanderthal · Jan 21, 2019

Could be Dino, if your Phosphate and Nitrate are zero and you are using carbon dosing.

Joel Schommer · Jan 21, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
Dino and/or red slime. Try blowing off with a baster. If it remains- slime. Can be removed with a soft toothbrush. Nitrate would be a suspect

2nd this. Had same issue and I used a tooth brush the same day I was vacuuming it out and did a water 20% water change and it never returned since and its been like a month.

dwolson · Jan 21, 2019

Hemmdog said:
It’s from the vibrant. You will have it for 3-6 months. This is why I don’t dose things when something looks a little off

Interesting. I didn't think of this. Adding Vibrant is really the only thing I have done different since I stared seeing this. So, time is the only thing I can do to get rid of it huh?

Hemmdog · Jan 21, 2019

dwolson said:
Interesting. I didn't think of this. Adding Vibrant is really the only thing I have done different since I stared seeing this. So, time is the only thing I can do to get rid of it huh?

Yea I figured it out on my 2nd tank that vibrant was the cause after using it as well. It goes away with time, or works its way deeper into the sandbed, not totally sure, but it does go away and your rocks will turn less brown as well.