ID on algae... I think... pics included...

FavaBean · 12/13/2009, 08:16 PM

I think this is red velvet algae.... Any thoughts.... if need be I can try to get a better pic....

Chiefsurfer · 12/13/2009, 08:27 PM

how old is the tank? What are your nitrate and phosphate readings(although apparently algae blooms use phosphates faster than they are expelled, so phosphate tests can often come up as 0, when in actuality they are high, but the algae is using them.

To me, from that photo, it looks like cyano.

FavaBean · 12/13/2009, 08:33 PM

the tank will be a year in jan. I do not know my nitrate and phosphate readings.... it is deep red that looks to be encrusting with little strands swaying with the flow.... thanks chiefsurfer

DC_40gallon · 12/13/2009, 08:36 PM

Looks like cyano to me. How old are your bulbs (old meaning 6-9 months or older)? Do you use RO/DI water for everything and anything? How long do you let your lights burn each day?

FavaBean · 12/13/2009, 08:41 PM

thanks.... I will start looking into solutions... would a increase in flow help any? I have done a search and found alot of results... I need to read some of it... thanks everyone

bertoni · 12/13/2009, 09:49 PM

If it rubs off very easily, it's likely cyanobacteria. It could be an encrusting sponge, if it's more resilient.

FavaBean · 12/13/2009, 10:01 PM

DC... sorry i did not see your post.... bulbs will be a year in jan... I need to replace them... I use RO/DI water for anything and everything... I let the lights burn for 8 hours a day....

bertoni... I think it rubs off pretty easy...

so I need to maybe increase flow... check phosphate... decrease light even more?

Remn · 12/13/2009, 10:04 PM

It looks like cyano

bertoni · 12/13/2009, 10:37 PM

If it comes off with a touch of a finger, then it's a microbial pest. More flow might help. Less feeding or adding a GFO reactor might help, as can better skimming. What kind of pump does the tank have for circulation?

FavaBean · 12/14/2009, 04:51 AM

the tank is has just the stock pump.... so 106 gph... i am thinking about going with a 200 gph pump.... i feed only once every other day... it is a 6 gallon tank

lordofthereef · 12/14/2009, 06:16 AM

If it IS cyano, simple flow increase will fix your problem.

rostato · 12/14/2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

If it IS cyano, simple flow increase will fix your problem.

And some water changes!

FavaBean · 12/14/2009, 10:44 AM

Looks like i will try a simple increase in water flow....

DC_40gallon · 12/14/2009, 11:01 AM

Definitely change the bulbs (only do half now and half in a few months to avoid light shock), increase your flow and siphon off as much of it as possible and it will remedy itself.

Glad your using RO/DI religiously and limiting light usage.

quickgray02 · 12/14/2009, 11:30 AM

It looks like cyano
increase flow and do some water changes

bertoni · 12/14/2009, 06:24 PM

A 200 gph pump should be fine, and might help a bit. I suspect that you'll need to add a GFO reactor or reduce feeding at some point, though.

12/13/2009, 08:16 PM	#1
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	ID on algae... I think... pics included... I think this is red velvet algae.... Any thoughts.... if need be I can try to get a better pic....

12/13/2009, 08:36 PM	#4
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Looks like cyano to me. How old are your bulbs (old meaning 6-9 months or older)? Do you use RO/DI water for everything and anything? How long do you let your lights burn each day? Last edited by DC_40gallon; 12/13/2009 at 08:42 PM.

12/13/2009, 09:49 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If it rubs off very easily, it's likely cyanobacteria. It could be an encrusting sponge, if it's more resilient. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/13/2009, 10:37 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If it comes off with a touch of a finger, then it's a microbial pest. More flow might help. Less feeding or adding a GFO reactor might help, as can better skimming. What kind of pump does the tank have for circulation? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/14/2009, 06:16 AM	#11
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	If it IS cyano, simple flow increase will fix your problem. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/13/2009, 08:27 PM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	how old is the tank? What are your nitrate and phosphate readings(although apparently algae blooms use phosphates faster than they are expelled, so phosphate tests can often come up as 0, when in actuality they are high, but the algae is using them. To me, from that photo, it looks like cyano.

12/13/2009, 08:33 PM	#3
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	the tank will be a year in jan. I do not know my nitrate and phosphate readings.... it is deep red that looks to be encrusting with little strands swaying with the flow.... thanks chiefsurfer

12/13/2009, 08:41 PM	#5
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	thanks.... I will start looking into solutions... would a increase in flow help any? I have done a search and found alot of results... I need to read some of it... thanks everyone

12/13/2009, 10:01 PM	#7
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	DC... sorry i did not see your post.... bulbs will be a year in jan... I need to replace them... I use RO/DI water for anything and everything... I let the lights burn for 8 hours a day.... bertoni... I think it rubs off pretty easy... so I need to maybe increase flow... check phosphate... decrease light even more?

12/13/2009, 10:04 PM	#8
Remn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 115	It looks like cyano

12/14/2009, 04:51 AM	#10
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	the tank is has just the stock pump.... so 106 gph... i am thinking about going with a 200 gph pump.... i feed only once every other day... it is a 6 gallon tank

12/14/2009, 10:44 AM	#13
FavaBean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 789	Looks like i will try a simple increase in water flow....

12/14/2009, 11:01 AM	#14
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Definitely change the bulbs (only do half now and half in a few months to avoid light shock), increase your flow and siphon off as much of it as possible and it will remedy itself. Glad your using RO/DI religiously and limiting light usage.

12/14/2009, 11:30 AM	#15
quickgray02 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sherman, TX Posts: 89	It looks like cyano increase flow and do some water changes

12/14/2009, 06:24 PM	#16
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	A 200 gph pump should be fine, and might help a bit. I suspect that you'll need to add a GFO reactor or reduce feeding at some point, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni