What is this?

[Jblaine]

I have been in the hobby since March of this year and the last two months have had this brownish stuff on the glass, sand, and refugium. Are these dinos or something else? Also had some hair looking algae pop up. Can someone help me ID them and help me with how to get rid of it. Thanks

 

[Ludders]

Probably diatoms based on the hair algae comment. Dinos usually appear in super low nutrient environments. As soon as there are nutrients and biodiversity introduced, other stuff out competes a dinoflagellate outbreak.
What are your water parameters like and what does your cuc consist of? Nassarius snails for example help keep your sand bed clean.

 

[Jblaine]

thanks for the response. My water parameters are
ph 8.2
alk 8.9 dkh
calcium 426 ppm
mag 1460 ppm
salinity 1.25
nitrite 0
nitrate 20ppm

For a cuc, I have maybe 8 nassarius, 2 turbo, and 4 Astrea snails. I also have 6 Blue leg hermit crabs.

not sure if my magnesium is to high. would that causethe out break?

 

[Ludders]

What I have found with high magnesium is the snails slow right down. How do yours seem?
What are your phosphate levels?
Also in the photo where we can see the sand, is this the corner of the tank you tend to feed at?

 

[Jblaine]

I have the Hanna phosphate check, not the ultra low one, and it’s reading 0. When I feed, I tend to scatter the food throughout the front of the tank. Snails also seem to be moving to be moving as normal.

 

[Ludders]

I could do with a 2nd opinion here, but I'm still thinking diatoms.
In the morning just after the light come on, is the sand bed clear of the brown stuff or still the same as in that photo?

 

[Jblaine]

I could do with a 2nd opinion here, but I'm still thinking diatoms.
In the morning just after the light come on, is the sand bed clear of the brown stuff or still the same as in that photo?

Not as bad but still there. I just bought a UV sterilizer. Hopefully that might help‍

 

[JGT]

thanks for the response. My water parameters are
ph 8.2
alk 8.9 dkh
calcium 426 ppm
mag 1460 ppm
salinity 1.25
nitrite 0
nitrate 20ppm

For a cuc, I have maybe 8 nassarius, 2 turbo, and 4 Astrea snails. I also have 6 Blue leg hermit crabs.

not sure if my magnesium is to high. would that causethe out break?

Your nitrate is high. That could cause the outbreak. Want it around 5 give or take.

 

[Jblaine]

Your nitrate is high. That could cause the outbreak. Want it around 5 give or take.

What would be the best way to lower nitrate? Large water change?

 

[Ludders]

That's one way but you might be over feeding which is elevating your nitrate levels.
Water change will help lower it in the short term, but I think a reduction in feeding will help for the long term, so a combination approach will be required.
Aim for around 3-5ppm, if it goes lower start feeding more.
It won't go overnight so be patient, but it should notice a difference within a few weeks.

 

[Jblaine]

That's one way but you might be over feeding which is elevating your nitrate levels.
Water change will help lower it in the short term, but I think a reduction in feeding will help for the long term, so a combination approach will be required.
Aim for around 3-5ppm, if it goes lower start feeding more.
It won't go overnight so be patient, but it should notice a difference within a few weeks.

Ok thank you