Brown diatom issue?

[Kyle42]

Theres millions of these threads, i know. Ive probably read 100 of them myself trying to figure out what type of algae or diatoms is in my system currently. I dont feed heavily, i run a filter sock in the sump with a poly filter pad, and chemipure elite. My tank completely cycled 3 weeks or so ago, as in no ammonia no nitrites small amount of nitrates. Last week, a small amount of brown diatoms appeared on my rockwork with small little air bubbles. I had dino in my old 20g so i dont think thats what it is because ive let it grow and it has never become stringy or risen towards the surface carrying the little air bubble. I could use some help identifying it. Thanks!

 

[Sonyardo]

Looks like diatoms to me. They are common in new tanks and they will come and go early on. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just let them run their course.

 

[Kyle42]

Okay much appreciated thanks for the response. I love reef tanks and everything to do with it even though they're a lot of work but i can never seem to identify algaes or diatoms except for like bubble algae and GHA lmao

 

[CStrickland]

Looks like Cyanobacteria to me. Diatoms are dusty, they blow off like a powder if you puff them with a turkey baster or powerhead.

 

[OldReefGuy]

agree Cyan.
How is your water flow and more importantly, your phosphates levels?

 

[BeachVacationer]

I had that grow in my new tank recently but much worse than you. I got some nice sized astria snails which love to eat it. Once they ate it the algae never came back.

View attachment 357904

 

[scooter31707]

I agree wit Cyano or could be the start of Bubble Algae.

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

I had that grow in my new tank recently but much worse than you. I got some nice sized astria snails which love to eat it. Once they ate it the algae never came back.

View attachment 357904

I have the same in my newer tank (3 months) right now, less than that pic but was crowding my frags. The snails gobble it up, and I took a clean tooth brush and brushed it away from my frags. The spots where I have brushed it away it hasn't come back.....yet anyway.

 

[Kyle42]

Brown diatom issue?

I blew it off and did a water change yesterday. It seemed to come off in like i guess you could say "fish flakes" in areas where it was thick if that makes sense when blown with a turkey baster. It came back on my sand bed and a little on the rocks but not as bad as it was obviously. I hate brown algae/ diatoms because its so hard to figure out what it is

 

[Kyle42]

Brown diatom issue?

agree Cyan.
How is your water flow and more importantly, your phosphates levels?

Phosphate read .25ppm or less when checked. Everything else seems okay

 

[Kyle42]

If it helps, ill notice my regular clown picking at pieces and eating it throughout the day. I didnt think fish would eat cyano

 

[bvaughn7]

Looks like diatom to me.

 

[Anthony357]

get some snails and hermits!