what type of algae is it? - Aquarium Advice

Dr.Nate · 04-03-2006, 10:58 AM

Well, I was sure this was cyano, but now I'm not so sure......I'll try to describe it for you.

It's dark red in color, but when I go to remove it, it comes off in sheets. It's soft to the touch and it just peels off of the rock (not easily, however)

And it's only in one place, right in the middle of the tank up high on one or two rocks.

Cyano or something else?

If a pic would be helpful, I'll try to get one later today

Nøjo · 04-03-2006, 11:40 AM

Sounds like cyano to me, but I have yet to get it in my tank. I'm certainly not an expert.

What happens when you turn off the lights each night? Does it shrink overnight or is it the same size?

Dr.Nate · 04-03-2006, 11:51 AM

no change at night.....and it's kind of slow growing, too.

cmor1701d · 04-03-2006, 12:50 PM

"Comes off in sheet"...
Without a pic to be sure...
It's Cyano

tecwzrd · 04-03-2006, 02:22 PM

Are your bulbs 9+ months old? Do you know what your po4/no3 level is currently?

Hara’s 10 Step Plan for Nuisance Algae Control thread is pretty helpful

Dr.Nate · 04-03-2006, 05:47 PM

yeah, thanks tecwzrd I've read it many times and do everything suggested......nitrates are 0 and phosphates are 0 (both salifert tests) I remove this stuff occasionally, but it just comes back

tecwzrd · 04-03-2006, 06:04 PM

I thought you understood the causes but just wanted to make sure. Your tanks not anywhere near sunlight is it? Also your po4 test can still show 0 because your algae is using it all up. Have you tested your food for po4? (put a small amount in 1 gal of water for 4+ hours and test)

Dr.Nate · 04-04-2006, 10:24 AM

I use homemade blender mush straight from Hara's recipe.......

Also, I use Rowaphos to make extra sure I don't have phosphates....that's why I'm baffled that this stuff continues to grow. I have a sump/fuge with chaeto and a really good skimmer. Very strange. I'll try to post a pic later for ya....

tecwzrd · 04-04-2006, 12:18 PM

Do you remove your chaeto as it grows? If not just growing chaeto doesn’t help. Algae is frustrating on many levels when you can’t figure out the what/why.

Essentially algae grows from nutrients/lighting but it sound’s like you are doing everything right with the po4 removal and skimming.

I know you read that article but have you gone dark for a week or two yet or notice any improvement if you did?

reefrunner69 · 04-04-2006, 02:37 PM

Apply more waterflow to the area it's in, but make sure the flow remains the same in the rest of the tank.

04-03-2006, 10:58 AM	#1
Dr.Nate Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX Posts: 476 Images: 28	what type of algae is it? Well, I was sure this was cyano, but now I'm not so sure......I'll try to describe it for you. It's dark red in color, but when I go to remove it, it comes off in sheets. It's soft to the touch and it just peels off of the rock (not easily, however) And it's only in one place, right in the middle of the tank up high on one or two rocks. Cyano or something else? If a pic would be helpful, I'll try to get one later today

04-03-2006, 12:50 PM	#4
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,927 Images: 43	"Comes off in sheet"... Without a pic to be sure... It's Cyano __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

04-03-2006, 06:04 PM	#7
tecwzrd Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: VA Posts: 3,152	I thought you understood the causes but just wanted to make sure. Your tanks not anywhere near sunlight is it? Also your po4 test can still show 0 because your algae is using it all up. Have you tested your food for po4? (put a small amount in 1 gal of water for 4+ hours and test) __________________ -Micah- If you haven't figured it out yet I like to BOLD links :P Vote for AA at Aqua Rank

04-04-2006, 02:37 PM	#10
reefrunner69 Aquarium Advice Freak Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 311 Images: 108	Apply more waterflow to the area it's in, but make sure the flow remains the same in the rest of the tank. __________________ Kevin Visit Nature Coast Photography Join the Central Florida Aquarists Regional forum or the Southeastern States Aquarists Regional Forum or the N. FL (North Florida Hobbyists) Regional Forum!

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04-03-2006, 11:40 AM	#2
Nøjo Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 113	Sounds like cyano to me, but I have yet to get it in my tank. I'm certainly not an expert. What happens when you turn off the lights each night? Does it shrink overnight or is it the same size?

04-03-2006, 11:51 AM	#3
Dr.Nate Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX Posts: 476 Images: 28	no change at night.....and it's kind of slow growing, too.

04-03-2006, 02:22 PM	#5
tecwzrd Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: VA Posts: 3,152	Are your bulbs 9+ months old? Do you know what your po4/no3 level is currently? Hara’s 10 Step Plan for Nuisance Algae Control thread is pretty helpful

04-03-2006, 05:47 PM	#6
Dr.Nate Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX Posts: 476 Images: 28	yeah, thanks tecwzrd I've read it many times and do everything suggested......nitrates are 0 and phosphates are 0 (both salifert tests) I remove this stuff occasionally, but it just comes back

04-04-2006, 10:24 AM	#8
Dr.Nate Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TX Posts: 476 Images: 28	I use homemade blender mush straight from Hara's recipe....... Also, I use Rowaphos to make extra sure I don't have phosphates....that's why I'm baffled that this stuff continues to grow. I have a sump/fuge with chaeto and a really good skimmer. Very strange. I'll try to post a pic later for ya....

04-04-2006, 12:18 PM	#9
tecwzrd Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: VA Posts: 3,152	Do you remove your chaeto as it grows? If not just growing chaeto doesn’t help. Algae is frustrating on many levels when you can’t figure out the what/why. Essentially algae grows from nutrients/lighting but it sound’s like you are doing everything right with the po4 removal and skimming. I know you read that article but have you gone dark for a week or two yet or notice any improvement if you did?

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