Was wondering if someone can id this algae

[Km4qpd]

It is a dark purple color. It creates a film on the rocks and then gets "stringy" as it grows. Thanks for any help.

 

[saltyhog]

Looks some type of cyano to me. What are your PO4 and NO3 levels?

 

[DesktopReefer]

I’d agree with salty. Looks like cyano

 

[Km4qpd]

Thanks that's what I was thinking. No3 around 80 and po4 around 1

 

[Subsea]

What nutrient management are you excercising? Tell us about your tank and your experience level.

 

[Km4qpd]

Started about a year ago. This one is a 38 gal bowfront with a 10 gal sump. It is a fowlr tank, eventually want to add some corals. I am currently using an aquatic life nano skimmer, I some times run filter socks when water gets dirty or I am doing cleaning to help catch large debris. I also added some cheato to my sump recently, about a week ago.

 

[Subsea]

With those nutrient levels, I would enhance my macro algae refugium lights to maximize Chaeto growth and maximize nutrient export.

I also suggest you start vacuuming out the Cynobacteria as nutrient export when you do water changes,

 

[Km4qpd]

Thanks. I will definitely do that.

 

[Jekyl]

Get your parameters into an acceptable level before starting coral. The shift can actually cause cyano or algae issues. Dosing live phyto helped a ton in my case getting rid of cyano and gha.

 

[Km4qpd]

Definitely plan on that, and getting a better light for the DT.