Algae problem!

[Duc1098]

I was wondering if someone would be able to identify the algae issue I'm having from the picture below. I have it pretty much from the time I set up the tank a year ago and it hangs out at the bottom on the acrylic along the substrate. My phosphate, nitrates and nitrites are all zero and my top-off water is via a 5-stage RO/DI unit. It is pretty difficult to clean with a mag algae scruber, so typically I use a plastic coralline scraper. It's also brown in color if your not able to tell from the picture. Thanks!

 

[Ron Reefman]

I can't ID the algae, but it looks like the ordinary stuff that grows on the glass/acrylic. Does it grow all over the acrylic or only at the bottom (that would be unusual)? How about the coraline algae at the bottom of the tank? Why is it still there? I wonder if you scrape the coraline off the bottom and then do the algae scrubber more often and more regularly it might solve your problem. Just my best suggestion.

 

[Duc1098]

Coraline is still there since I have slack somewhat on the cleaning aspect of the proper reef keeping. Don't like to make excuses, but I have been in the process of finishing my basement this tank is in, working with a lot of wood stains, polyurethane, thinners, etc. and decided it was best not to stick my hands in the tank after working with that stuff. But before that I didn't have the issue with the coraline on the front acrylic and since it's built into the wall I don't mind the coraline on the sides. I did however have a pretty quick growth rate of the brown stuff mostly along the sand bed. I do get some spots up higher but not the bad and it's typically only a couple little spots. I just added two 1400gph koralias, previously not having any power heads and just had the mag drive 18 return pump, so I find out if it may have just been from stagnent flow.

 

[zhewitt04]

Not sure but it looks like coraline algae to me. Mine starts out brown before turning purple. Some of coralline is brown and stays thst way. I also have it all over my acrylic but only worry about the 3 sides. I have to scrap it with a razor blade 1 a month or maybe more I don't know. I would scrap it off and consider it regular maint.