What algae or other do I have.

[dstockwell]

So I don’t use RO/DI, didn’t use it 20 years ago but may ask a source about getting it on a monthly basis. Stuff is hard to brush off, no bubbles so?

55 gal, two sumps one refugium, chaeto, and caulpera. Second bioballs and return pump, 9w UV, GFO, two viparspectra 165 running 25 blue, 2 whit, 10 hours a day.

Ammonia 0
PH 8.1
Phosphate 1.0 have phosgard in reactor
Nitrate 0
Calcium 520
KH 10
Salinity 1.025

 

[dstockwell]

System is 3 months old.

 

[dstockwell]

Bump

 

[Timfish]

It's likely one of the turf algae species. An urchin will scrub off the "holdfast" it uses to stick to stuff. You can also use an individual silicone muffin cup with a syringe to apply H2O2. Fill a syringe with H2O2. poke it through the muffin cup and hold it gently against the rock while squiting about 5-10 ml into the cup. You'll need to hold the cup in place for couple minutes to allow the H2O2 to work on hte algae. For areas you can't get to with hte muffin cup you can put the tip of the syringe against the rock and squirt about a mil of H2O2. Becareful not to overdose the H2O2, I won't use more than about 5 ml per gallon total then wait a few days to reapply if needed.

(FWIW, I don't use RO/DI either on many of my tanks but there can be huge differences in the source water depending on the water utility, 90 gallon Mixed Reef)

 

[dstockwell]

I also wonder if my nitrates are bottomed out because of the Halimeda growing on a couple rocks. I have been trying to figure out which Potassium Nitrate aquarium fertilizer to raise nitrates.

 

[dstockwell]

This or do I need Sodium Nitrate

GLA Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) Aquarium Fertilizer - 1lb Jar

Green Leaf Aquariums Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) delivers vital nitrogen and potassium to fuel healthy, robust aquatic plant growth.

greenleafaquariums.com

 

[dstockwell]

Guess it's sodium nitrate, not sure how much to mix, guess start small.

 

[dstockwell]

It's likely one of the turf algae species. An urchin will scrub off the "holdfast" it uses to stick to stuff. You can also use an individual silicone muffin cup with a syringe to apply H2O2. Fill a syringe with H2O2. poke it through the muffin cup and hold it gently against the rock while squiting about 5-10 ml into the cup. You'll need to hold the cup in place for couple minutes to allow the H2O2 to work on hte algae. For areas you can't get to with hte muffin cup you can put the tip of the syringe against the rock and squirt about a mil of H2O2. Becareful not to overdose the H2O2, I won't use more than about 5 ml per gallon total then wait a few days to reapply if needed.

(FWIW, I don't use RO/DI either on many of my tanks but there can be huge differences in the source water depending on the water utility, 90 gallon Mixed Reef)

On rocks I can remove, can I just use toothbrush and H202.

 

[Timfish]

Yes, just be careful to avoid any sponges on the dark sides of the rock, they are very beneficial for reef systems.