What is this?

[itafx]

I'm planning to scoop out this algae, but I was wondering what it was and if there are any tricks to control it.

Params:

150 Gal tank
300W 8h/d (130 of the watts are actinic)
Excel every other day
Flourish once or twice per week
Extremely light fish load, about 20 guppy fry
Filstar 3 canister filter

 

[Alshain]

Diatoms, while not actually an algae it is more frequent with new tanks. They usually subside as the tank matures. Otto fish will snack on it.

 

[itafx]

Thanks for the answer. It makes so much sense. First, the tank has only been set up about a month. Second, when I took the plants out and washed them, the stuff kind of dissolved away instead of being stringy and since diatoms are single celled individualistic things instead of a macro type algae, it all fits. I put some turbulence in the tank with a Koralia 2 and am wondering if that might help keep it at bay too.