crazy purple algae

[DamselnDistress]

I have this algae all over my substrate and some on the decorations. I don't think it's coraline. I don't have live rock I'm planning on ordering some this week. So what could it be? It's like a purple color.

 

[e-cat]

probably cyano bacteria, you dont want it in your tank.
there is chemicals that will kill it , but your better of finding out what is causeing the problem, i found out today that my fighting conch eats that stuff so you may want too look into them.

 

[NaH2O]

DamselnDistress, are you using RO/DI water? How long has your system been set-up and cycled? What types of inhabitants are currently in your tank?

 

[Hara]

it could be sponge

 

[fishtender]

It sounds to me like cyano. Can you post a picture? If it is cyano, it can be controlled without the use of chemical additives. It is usual;ly caused by using tap water to fill and do top-offs,(use RO\DI if posible) or overfeeding.

Howard

 

[DamselnDistress]

i did a water change and i'm gonna buy an ro/di unit. i think i've been leavin the lights on too long cuz i forget about them sometimes so i'm just gonna get a timer. If it starts comin back after i cleaned the gravel i'll post a pic.

 

[DamselnDistress]

its back

 

[bizzybeas]

Sure looks like cyano. I got it too when my skimmer broke. I still have not gotten rid of it. :x

 

[bizzybeas]

oooops! I forgot to mention that you can siphon it out with a turkey baster. I have to do it every day. So far it has not gotten worse, and it is slowly improving.

 

[NaH2O]

Another idea you may try is to increase the flow towards the substrate. Maybe angle a powerhead in the areas that it's growing. Sometimes this helps keep cyano at bay.

 

[DamselnDistress]

i'll try that

 

[fishtender]

I know it appears to be growing only in the light, but cutting down on the light is not likely to have any affect on it. The leading cause is Phosphates. I suffered with it for a long time. I cut down on feedings, gave less light, filtered like a madman and did water changes constatnly. The damn stuff would be back every morning. It didn't go away until I switched to RO water. I didn't buy a unit for my home. I found that the water filling station at my local grocier was RO. It only costs me .29 cents per gallon. I slowly added it to my tank over the period of many water changes and now I am happy to say that I am CYANO FREE!!!

Howard