Algae identification

[JuuFuu]

long time lurker, first time posting Trying to figure out what the heck this is. 55 gallon with twin tube 48" T8 lights. 6500k. Moderately planted, and fairly light fish stock. I dose a weak amount of nutes everyday. About 1/4 strenght from the instructions. I recently slacked off on cleaning the filters for well over a month Running 2 eheim 2213 canister filters. Ive cleaned them both a week apart, and its still thriving. Tanks been running for a year or so.

When I pull it out it smells like dirt, isnt slimy but instead kinda smears/disintegrates. Its on the sand sub, but attempts to start on the glass. I think my BN eats it on the glass but doesnt touch it on the sand, not 100 percent sure on that. I dont think the nerites touch it. I also added added a trio of SAE to handle some black brush looking stuff that slowly grows on my anubias and havent seen them touch it yet.

I dont have a good test kit so sadly I cant give specifics on parameters. Ill / be purchasing a master kit soon. I do know I have fairly hard water and it maxes out the current ApI ph test kit. I need to get a high ph kit and see just how high it is. I do weekly 30-50 percent water changes.

Sorry for the essay lol. Im just curious what this is cause im having a hard time narrowing down what it is. Thanks for the help.

 

[TMaier]

Cyanobacteria is my guess.

 

[flchamp89]

Cyanobacteria is my guess.

Plus one....api master kit has high range ph test included.

 

[JuuFuu]

Thank you for the quick replies. That was what I was thinking it could be but doesnt have a slimy look to it like I thought I read cyano has.

 

[flchamp89]

Id micro manage feedings, up wc, manually remove

Are bulbs old?

 

[JuuFuu]

They are approx 6 months old. Its a cheap shop light from lowes. Bulbs are just basic 6500k I grabbed from the same section. The lights sit right on top of the glass canopy and im now thinking i need to move it up off the glass and that is one of the factors working against me.

 

[flchamp89]

Cyno imo is the hardest to figure out the cause. So my advice is to focus on general algae cures. You may not find a cause.

 

[JuuFuu]

So far its just growing on the sub where there is nothing shading it and the light is direct. Im fine with that for now and have more plants on the way to fill the rest of the tank out and we will go from there. Thanks for the help I truely appreciate it. Im not so much concerned with whats causing it mainly just want to know what it is lol.

 

[flchamp89]

Its has the capability to spread very quickly.