What algae do I have?

fixingstill · 12/03/2016, 10:03 PM

What algae do I have?
Came home 1 week after vacation and the tank (4 months old) has been covered with green, brown and dark red algae. OMG.
I know the tank is new so I should expect diatoms. It looks like I also have cyano in addition to the usual green film algae?
The sand bed is ok. Only the top rocks have the dark red algae.
Maybe I turned up the white light (5 hrs a day) too much before I left?

Jesus Christ, running a saltwater tank is definitely not easy.

fixingstill · 12/04/2016, 09:34 AM

I am sure some experts here can confirm it is diatoms and cyano, right?

JodiM · 12/04/2016, 12:40 PM

brown looks like diatoms to me.. Red looks like Cyano aka red slim...

fixingstill · 12/04/2016, 01:27 PM

I will immediately:
1.Reduce feeding.
2.Turn the lights off for a week
3.Turn up the powerheads and add a temporary one.
4.Brush off the algae on rock surfaces
5.Major water change (like 50%) then 25% couple times every 3 days.
6.Start vinegar dosing after the 50% water change
7.Watch my nitrate and phosphate (still looking for a kit that I can read and trust.)

I have GFO reactor and changed the BRS media a week ago. I guess that did not do much to control the phosphate.

JodiM · 12/04/2016, 01:43 PM

I just got rid of my red slim... I used a chemical to rid it but also making changes. Light feedings and no leaving my light on so much.
You tank isnt old, so it could be cycling again also - from what I have been told about my tank.. My tank is only about 5 months old maybe

12/04/2016, 09:34 AM	#2
fixingstill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 249	I am sure some experts here can confirm it is diatoms and cyano, right?

12/04/2016, 12:40 PM	#3
JodiM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 119	brown looks like diatoms to me.. Red looks like Cyano aka red slim...

12/04/2016, 01:27 PM	#4
fixingstill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 249	I will immediately: 1.Reduce feeding. 2.Turn the lights off for a week 3.Turn up the powerheads and add a temporary one. 4.Brush off the algae on rock surfaces 5.Major water change (like 50%) then 25% couple times every 3 days. 6.Start vinegar dosing after the 50% water change 7.Watch my nitrate and phosphate (still looking for a kit that I can read and trust.) I have GFO reactor and changed the BRS media a week ago. I guess that did not do much to control the phosphate.

12/04/2016, 01:43 PM	#5
JodiM Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 119	I just got rid of my red slim... I used a chemical to rid it but also making changes. Light feedings and no leaving my light on so much. You tank isnt old, so it could be cycling again also - from what I have been told about my tank.. My tank is only about 5 months old maybe