What type of Algae?!

Subinay · Dec 5, 2016

Hi, I'm new here. I have a really bad algae bloom and I'm not quite sure what it is. At first I thought it was diatoms but now I'm thinking it's cyano. Whatever it is how can I get rid of it?

helen ann · Dec 5, 2016

Looks like cyano algae ... sorry

... can't help but someone will come along that will be able to help you with how to handle.

While you wait ...
Let me say Hi and ...

Maritimer · Dec 5, 2016

Welcome aboard, Subinay!

That looks like cyanobacteria, maybe some diatoms thrown in . . . How old is your tank?

Most tanks go through a diatom phase, as those guys utilize silica in your sand and elsewhere, then a cyanobacteria phase - and it's perfectly normal. As "more mature" algaes and bacterias kick in and begin to grow, the diatoms should vanish, and cyano (while it never quite seems to go away) should retreat to a much smaller territory. 'Round here, folks call it "The new-tank uglies", and they don't hold it against you. (~_^)

Increased flow generally pushes cyano back, and there's a chemical that knocks it back too ... but you probably don't need that just yet.

~Bruce

Diesel · Dec 5, 2016

Test for Cyano or spirulina, both look the same but are completely different.
As Bruce said we need a little more info about your tank,

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

Sorry I forgot my password for that account so I made a new one. This is still me though[emoji23]
Well the tank is right around 4-5 months old. This (New-tank uglies) [emoji23] thing really does look ugly. And how would I test for Cyano?

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

Subinay70 said:
Sorry I forgot my password for that account so I made a new one. This is still me though[emoji23]
Well the tank is right around 4-5 months old. This (New-tank uglies) [emoji23] thing really does look ugly. And how would I test for Cyano?

Looks like new tank syndrome to me. Diatoms for sure, tank is either recycling or it wasn't done cycling. Did you add new dry rock?

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

ReefNerd76 said:
Looks like new tank syndrome to me. Diatoms for sure, tank is either recycling or it wasn't done cycling. Did you add new dry rock?

I did not, but I did add a new rock that came with a coral that I have bought. Would that be the cause? The tank was cycled 2 months ago I believe. When I would check the parameters they would all look good.

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

Subinay70 said:
I did not, but I did add a new rock that came with a coral that I have bought. Would that be the cause? The tank was cycled 2 months ago I believe. When I would check the parameters they would all look good.

Do you use only RO/DI water? What are your phosphates reading at?

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

ReefNerd76 said:
Do you use only RO/DI water? What are your phosphates reading at?

Not RO/DI, my LFS that I go to just offers RO and that's what I use. I was planning on getting my own unit soon but I'm still debating. I can't say for sure what my phosphates are. I don't have a kit for phosphate.

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

Subinay70 said:
Not RO/DI, my LFS that I go to just offers RO and that's what I use. I was planning on getting my own unit soon but I'm still debating. I can't say for sure what my phosphates are. I don't have a kit for phosphate.

Take some of your water to your LFS and ask them to test your phosphates and nitrates, start there and then let's see what it is, we will narrow it down from there

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

ReefNerd76 said:
Take some of your water to your LFS and ask them to test your phosphates and nitrates, start there and then let's see what it is, we will narrow it down from there

Yes, I will have them check it tomorrow and I'll get back to you with that. I test for nitrates already and they read 0ppm to usually sometimes I little over but not by much.

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

Subinay70 said:
Yes, I will have them check it tomorrow and I'll get back to you with that. I test for nitrates already and they read 0ppm to usually sometimes I little over but not by much.

Liquid test for nitrates right?

Tautog · Dec 5, 2016

Looks like you over feed. Feed every other day, but looks like cyno. And you need a clean up crew

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

ReefNerd76 said:
Liquid test for nitrates right?

Yes it is liquid. I use the API test for nitrates

Subinay70 · Dec 5, 2016

Tautog said:
Looks like you over feed. Feed every other day, but looks like cyno.

Usually I do feed my corals about once a week and fish 4 times a week. When I do feed the corals most of it doesn't get eaten unless the fish eat the left overs

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

Subinay70 said:
Usually I do feed my corals about once a week and fish 4 times a week. When I do feed the corals most of it doesn't get eaten unless the fish eat the left overs

I still think there may be some phosphates and just your average new tank syndrome