Brown algae sheets (not cyano?/diatoms)

[inktomi]

Hi -

Forgive the post in the macro forums, however I'm having a heck of a time figuring out what this is, and therefore how to combat it. My tank is a little over a year old at this point, and this algae seems to be quite content on the rock or glass. It doesn't grow on sand.

This algae grows in the highest light areas of my tank, and likes both high and low flow. It's somewhat difficult to suck off with a water change, though some of it does come off and brushing the rock removes it.

This algae feels slimy when you run your hand over it, and looks like little undulating sheets of bacteria. Maybe that's what it is? Weird... I have yet to see any fish or anything pick at it though I don't have any hermits. I'm planning on getting some blue legs but they're at least 90 days away from my tank even if I got them today.

Does anyone have an idea? Though the photo makes it look colorful, it's a uniform shade of poop brown :lolspin:

Help me Marine Plants & Macroalgae, you're my only hope!

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I think we need a better pic, to be any help.

It could be some variation of cyano bacteria. Doesn't matter. Whatever it is, is growing there because there is food and light. Figure out what the food is. Maybe start with phosphate.