Algae ID?

gemmasicolo

New member
The tank is 3 weeks old. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate almost undetectable. This is the second bloom I've had of the brown stuff in the sand. It seems to appear anytime I disturb the sandbed. Can someone give me a positive ID, I was told it could be diatoms.

Also, you'll notice the "cactus algae" on the live rock. I've been reading about it and can't decide if it's bad or good, what are your opinions?

I haven't added any fish yet, i just have some Nass. Snails, Peppermint shrimp (for aiptasia) and whatever life hitchhiked on the liverock. I wanted to get everything under control before I added any fish. I know I also need to add more live rock, it looks a little pathetic when i see it in the picture, lol.

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brown stuff is probably either diatoms or cyano. not sure about the green stuff but it actually looks kinda cool
 
If it is Halimeda it will benifit your tank but it will overgrow and take over your rock and will out compete coral.
 
When you're ready to add fish I've have had luck with sand sifting starfish to keep the bottom clean, but they don't do as good a job as the sand sifiting goby. I really love how much goby's keep the bottom clean, but alot of them die from starvation. I'm researching more about them myself. Love the cactus algea! Adds "texture" to your display! Does anyone know if Diatoms or Halimeda will hurt a sandsifter?
 
My LSF suggested a Diamond Goby for the sandbed but they didn't have any in stock. I did a little research and it seems they need a pretty deep sandbed since they make their homes in them. My sandbed is only about an inch thick so I don't think my tank is suitable. Maybe I'm wrong?

That is defenetly Halimeda, and it grows fast!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14211067#post14211067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gemmasicolo
My LSF suggested a Diamond Goby for the sandbed but they didn't have any in stock. I did a little research and it seems they need a pretty deep sandbed since they make their homes in them. My sandbed is only about an inch thick so I don't think my tank is suitable. Maybe I'm wrong?

That is defenetly Halimeda, and it grows fast!

I am wondering the same thing, I'd like to get a goby but I have about 1 1/2" - 2" sandbed. I wouldnt want him to starve.
 
From my experience a sand sifting goby would starve in a tank that size. I had that happen when I started out. You would need a very large tank for a sand sifting starfish. Best to leave those guys at the fish store (IMO).

As for the diatoms, they are a good indicator that your tank is cycling. This is a good thing. They will go away on their own and then you will possibly have another algae take it's place. Green algae or cyano bacteria will be the next to come. Just be patient and your tank will cycle. As these different types of algae and bacteria deplete the nutrients they are uptaking, they will disappear.
 
Those are diatoms, and will go away. Halimeda is fine as long as you aren't stocking with a ton of calcium needing coral; Halimeda will drain tanks of calcium. Also, in bigger tanks it can sprout up in places you can't get to it, and can become a huge nuisance, not very many things eat those rough calcium based algaes.
 
This is what is confusing me............

Are the diatoms blooming due to the cycle or

because I disturbed the sandbed. Only because they appear any time I move something around on the sand.

I've been testing my water at the LFS and they told me 2 days ago I was ok to put in fish. But I don't want to do this until I resolve the majano problem and add more live rock and make sure that one is free of pests too.

Also, I don't mind the Halimeda except I WOULD like to put corals in at some point and I'm not too happy about having to trim it back constantly.

I thought this was a nice piece of live rock but I'm seriously considering trading it in because thats the one infested with majanos and all the Halimeda and I'm afraid I'm in for a battle I'm going to loose.
 
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