Algae (1 Viewer)

[CypressReef]

Can someone help identify and recommend treatment for this green algae? It started 4 weeks ago and getting worse growing on live rocks and even my leather and monti. It does not look like GHA. Thought it was green coraline but can scrape off. ? Bryopsis or turf algae?

No changes made recently and chemistry stable:

Alk 8.9
Ca 458
Mag 1340
Nitrates 0
Phosphate 0.05
Salinity 1.026
Temp 78.3
pH 8.0

Lights are on about 10 hours with 2 hours ramp on and 2 hours ramp off.

Would vibrant or Fluconazole help?

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[RR-MAN]

I'm not an expert on algae but cut down the lights drastically. None of the corals we keep requires that long of a light period.


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[CypressReef]

Thanks. The high intensity LED are on only 8 hours and T5 are only on for 4 hours, but will cut it down more. Was thinking of doing a few days of blackout.




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[RR-MAN]

Have you tried some smaller turbo snails?


What's your PO4 and NO3? Have you tested?

 

[RR-MAN]

Have you tried some smaller turbo snails?


What's your PO4 and NO3? Have you tested?

Oh I see your test results above.

 

[CypressReef]

I have Mexican turbos as well Asteria snails along with blue leg hermits and a good size sea urchin.


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[webster1234]

That looks like green cyano to me.

 

[steveb]

That looks like green cyano to me.

ditto

 

[CypressReef]

Would blackout period be good. Not sure what else I can do to decrease nutrients. Nitrate and phosphates are low. Don’t want to have to use chemiclean.


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[webster1234]

Just keep siphoning it up and dislodging it with a turkey baster then. I get bouts of both the red and green cyano from time to time and I use that method to keep it at bay. I don't like using chemicals either. But usually when I get it, its because of a nutrient issue. I usually need to top off my biopellets (my method of nutrient contral). I up my biopellets and skim a little wetter and it usually starves out over a few weeks.

When I get it, its an indicator that something is up.

 

[RR-MAN]

Just keep siphoning it up and dislodging it with a turkey baster then. I get bouts of both the red and green cyano from time to time and I use that method to keep it at bay. I don't like using chemicals either. But usually when I get it, its because of a nutrient issue. I usually need to top off my biopellets (my method of nutrient contral). I up my biopellets and skim a little wetter and it usually starves out over a few weeks.

When I get it, its an indicator that something is up.

Looks like turf algae...not easy to dislodge or siphon it out.

 

[CypressReef]

I have to scrape it off unlike the red cyano, it suctions up very easily. I was going to start biopellets and now I think it’s a go. I do add bio digest bacteria every 2 weeks. I definitely feed less. Thanks



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[webster1234]

Looks like turf algae...not easy to dislodge or siphon it out.

That was based on the assumption that it was brue/green cyano. If it doesn't blast off, then it's not cyano. Regardless, he could probably benefit from some additional nutrient export.

 

[webster1234]

When it's time to re-up on your bacteria, I would strongly encourage you to try something called SmartStart complete by TLC. I think Premium Aquatics, one of our sponsors carries it. Use it in place of your biodigest.

 

[RR-MAN]

When it's time to re-up on your bacteria, I would strongly encourage you to try something called SmartStart complete by TLC. I think Premium Aquatics, one of our sponsors carries it. Use it in place of your biodigest.

How often/how much dosage?

 

[webster1234]

How often/how much dosage?

I dose my tank every two weeks to once a month. Really just when I think about it. But I dose it at 1oz/40g. I buy it by the gallon. A gallon usually runs $50-60 bucks. Whatever strains they use works really well. And then the biopellets feed the bacteria.

 

[CypressReef]

Looks like turf algae...not easy to dislodge or siphon it out.

Any recommendations if you think it’s turf algae that you have had success? Thanks



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[RR-MAN]

Any recommendations if you think it’s turf algae that you have had success? Thanks

I was hoping mexican turbo snails fix the issue.

I don't have a real solution but keep up with your water changes, cut down the lights to minimal (3-4 hours a day for a week or so), and run some GFO. I run a very small amount of high capacity GFO weekly to keep the green haze algae off the glass. At the same time, you don't want to wipe all the nutrients from the water columns and starve your corals so it's a "Balancing Act".


By the way, what test kit do you use for your NO3 and PO4 testing?

 

[CypressReef]

Unfortunately, I have been doing all this. I have Mexican turbos, Asterena snails. A large pin cushion and no one touches it. Have ordered harry chitons and hope that will help.

I have cut down the lights to 4 hours with one hour of ramp up and ramp down.

Cut back on feeding.

Trying to avoid chemicals, but about to use vibrant versus fluconazole.

I have a Hanna for phosphates and Red Sea for nitrates.

This is the most frustrating thing with this hobby[emoji20]. Things are going great with no changes made and a problem pops up despite regular maintenance and stable measurements.

Thanks for your help.



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[Tangs]

ya cutting back your lighting will help as well as fish that eat algae like tangs. That is what we do in these parts.