What is this algae ? (new tank)

[Gary S]

Hey I just wondered if this algae is normal and if something should be done seeing as it's a new tank (new to the hobby).

 

[tdileo]

Wow, I’ve never seen something like that before! Almost looks like some kind of green cyano? If you touch it is it slimy or feels like a plant?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey I just wondered if this algae is normal and if something should be done seeing as it's a new tank (new to the hobby).

Cannot remember the exact name, but its perfectly normal during the cycle and new tank stages. It'll go away on its own as the tank matures

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

That appears to be what is commonly referred to as green slime algae. Pretty common to get algae blooms initially with all tanks, keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate levels. If you don't have any corals yet, you can run the tank lightless for the time being until you get the algae under control

 

[Gary S]

I just added ammonia to jump the cycle...will that make it spread faster? Phosphates are at 1ppm now. Nitrite and Nitrate are zero.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I just added ammonia to jump the cycle...will that make it spread faster? Phosphates are at 1ppm now. Nitrite and Nitrate are zero.

The algae will consume the ammonia and grow more. Your nitrate and nitrite are probably zero because of the algae consuming it.

 

[Gary S]

The algae will consume the ammonia and grow more. Your nitrate and nitrite are probably zero because of the algae consuming it.

So should I kill the algae first or just keep going with the cycle?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Keep going with the cycle for sure, but you can scrub the algae off right before a water change and siphon it all out.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Keep going with the cycle for sure, but you can scrub the algae off right before a water change and siphon it all out.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Keep going with the cycle for sure, but you can scrub the algae off right before a water change and siphon it all out.

 

[Octane13]

I have the same thing but only on the rocks in my sump, under a grow light and macro it was difficult to see . When I moved a small rock to my display I noticed it. Went away in <24 hrs. My tank is only a couple months old.

 

[Octane13]

New update... unfortunately after getting some corals and extending the lighting period and intensity it has come back with a vengeance. I believe now that it was/is cyano as I now have purple and green "slime" everywhere. I have since added some phosguard as some members here suggested it for nutrient export (nitrates hang out between 10-20) and phosphates got to 1 after missing a water change. I have been doing around 20% water changes weekly and scrub the heck out of the rocks and siphon sand extensively. It has always come back within a day or two after the water change, less significant the last couple weeks but still an eye sore. I read somewhere that cyano does not do well in the higher ALK levels. Since mine was a little low (7) I have been adding alk solution and maintaining 8.5-9 with No significant change other than my corals seem happier. Maybe the article meant 10-11 dkh? I may start to mess with the light settings unless someone has a better suggestion

 

[Gary S]

From what I've read, using low dose hydrogen peroxide works like a charm, but most importantly is light reduction. Total blackout for 3 days is a good cure. Do more research though.