Algae type in growth stage

[Tooboot]

I've read a number of threads on algae and identification of types, but can't find anything on identifying it when it just starts growing. mainly I am wondering at this point and time if I have Diatoms, brown algae, green hair algae of some sort, or the start of coralline algae.

any direction to point me to to get a sense of early stages of algae identification.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

Color is about the only thing you can go on until the algae develops some mass IMO.

 

[Tooboot]

that's what I thought, just makes it hard to get ahead of any larger issue if I can't ID it ahead of time. fingers cross its coralline (can post pics tonight for better chance of early id)

 

[Tooboot]

Here's a picture (best possible with this tablet). Nitrates around 4ppm, phosphate less then .01, salinity at 1.025.
Not much so I'm not panicked, but would like to nip it if possible.
Any thoughts before I take a toothbrush to it.?
Tha rock behind them clown fish looks tosome brownish green encrusting algae

 

[GoVols]

How long has your tank been setup?

If you put your hand in and wave over the spots on your live rock does it release easily from the rock into the display water like dust. Or does it hold on tight to the rock?

 

[Tooboot]

Tank has been cycled since mid october. I only added live stock about 3 weeks ago, some additional snails last week. Don't know so much about my hand but I tried sticking then hose over it during last water change and nothing really moved. I'D say it has a pretty tight hold on their rock.
I know lights contribute time algae, I am using a diy led setup with about 90w of led, but not at max on all channels, and it ramps up around 7am and down a around 6 pm

 

[GoVols]

It's perfect timing for diatoms going by your setup time frame.

If your lucky it's diatoms and they will burn out of gas, but they don't hold on tight.

 

[GoVols]

Also when I start a new setup I run my lights no more than 5 hours a day and slowly build up longer time periods over months.

I have a 4 year old reef and run the "full day period" for 8 hours.

 

[Tooboot]

Also when I start a new setup I run my lights no more than 5 hours a day and slowly build up longer time periods over months.

I have a 4 year old reef and run the "full day period" for 8 hours.

Thanks,
I didn't have any lights until I added fish, was still building them at that time. NOW they are on a storm controller and have an auto ramp up period.

I had another look today and noticed that there colour was a mixof brown and green, and seems to be encrusted in most areas.