Unknown Algae and Cyno problem?

[revsuicide]

Hi all,

A bit of background.
I have had a Marine Aquarium for a few years now, recently transferred everything to a larger tank (8 months ago). The aquarium is looking very good at the moment, Nitrate almost 0 due to a DSB (that another discussion). Phosphates are a little above 0, they are not ideal, they read 0.06 a week ago. I also have a refugium with 3-4 inches of Fiji Mud, rubble and good growth of macro. Flow is high 20-30 x tank volume. Lighting on from 1pm to 9pm, increasing and decreasing in brightness peaking to full strength from 3:30-5:30 pm

I have 2 issues with my current tank.

I have a cyno bacteria outbreak that has been in my tank since day 1, I have brushed it off a number of times, but it starts returning within a month in the same area of my rock work. I would now like to sort out the reasons why I am getting these outbreaks. I will attach a picture below incase I have mis-identified. Any help on finding out why this is growing would be very beneficial.


I have also had an unidentified Algae outbreak in the last few months, I am having trouble identifying what Algae it actually is. i need to know so I can start to combat it. ANy identification here would be useful. Some people have said it is Turf algae, but I am not convinced. Also would anyone know what I could do to combat this algae, as I am getting tired of scraping this off (its a real bi**h). I would rather deal with the cause, than the effect. Once again, any advice is welcome.


TL;DR
How do I get rid of Cyno Bacteria
What Algae is in the picture above, and how do I defeat it?

Many Thanks all, any advice at this stage would be beneficial.

Paul

 

[revsuicide]

Shameless bump, any advice will be useful, particularly with the Cyno question, as after some further investigation i am not 100% this is Cyno (although I am 95%).

 

[ZeeSparrow]

For cyano, Sk8r's post Cyano: everybody gets it: how to get rid of it safely recommends complete lights out for 3 days, with skimming.

The other looks like turf to me, but other than manual removal as you're already doing, I don't have recommendations.

Edited to add: this link may be helpful in this and other algae issues you may have...

 

[revsuicide]

Thanks for your reply ZeeSparrow.

Unfortunately I have a fair amount of corals, so the lights out approach may not be an option. I am under the impression that this only gets rid of the cyno and not the cause of the problem, I would like to find out the cause, rather than deal with the effect, saying that I will read both the articles as they will provide useful insights.

Thanks for the ID on the algae, the only thing that stumped me was the fact it is growing in localised clusters and not everywhere (made me think it is an uncommon Algae).

Did some more water tests yesterday, Nitrates are zero, tested with other test kits, and it deff zero, could this be a problem? Phosphates were at 0.06 (want to go mass SPS so need to get this lower). I use Rowaphos in the return, maybe it is time to get a Phosphate reactor?

My macro algae in the fug has just started a mass die-off, this could be because of the zero nitrates too.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Lights out for 3 days is okay, even with corals. The cause of cyano? It likes you. My understanding is that it happens. The first link will provide more info. It's a long thread.

 

[Diverjohn]

Nitrates are probably 0 because of the turf algae. I have had the localized growth in the past with this algae. And I agree with ZeeSparrow, lights out for 3 days with corals wont hurt them. I have done this method before and it works.

 

[ericarenee]

I have to had both in my tank. The way i have found to keep them out of my display tank is .50 micron filter socks and be sure there is no dead spots in the tank.Once a day knock it all loose then when the tank clears Change the filter socks. Clean the changed socks with Bleach 1/8 solution Rinse them well and let dry before you reuse. Just rinsing the socks out will not kill it out of them. I Wash ours in the washer with a small amount of bleach and HOT Water. After a few weeks or month the stuff will be gone.
The Turf algae . The Easiest way (my opinion from experience) Turf algae scrubber in your sump. Cheap easy to build and only needs Standard light bulbs no matter what people tell you. This Does not Rid your System of the Turf algae but gives it a better environment to grow.The cyano and other bacteria will grow there as well on the scrubber screen. It will compete with the Algae in your Display tank and cause it to die out. I have had no issues with anything other then diatoms from time to time in my tank since the Algae scrubber was Added on..
What i can tell you for sure Doing nothing will only make it worse. Picking it off will only make it spread to other rocks as each time you pinch it . You just spread more spores. To remove it manually Take the Rocks OUT Of the tank and use a two bucket method. One to scrub it off with a brush. the other to rinse the rock off before you put it back. This will make it spread less . Also Filter socks changed daily and Cleaned with Bleach solution to kill it...
OR Do as the others above recommend . THE BEST SOLUTION. Lights out Water Changes and Clean filter socks.. But its still likely to come back..

The Algae scrubber Does not Cure anything. That is a myth. it just gives it a better place to grow and out of your Display tank. Its not a Overnight FIX Either.
Your likely going to have to do a combination of all of the methods above but at a slow pace to not shock your tank. If you go the algae scrubber screen method Rub the screen with the algae you want gone to get it started..
Good Luck

 

[revsuicide]

Thank you for the advice eriarenee, There is some good stuff there.

I am going to cover the tank for 3 days, to get rid of what is in the display tank now, and then build an algae scrubber for my sump, I have plenty of room for it. this is something I have been thinking of for a while now, so this seems to be the right time to start.

Many Thanks all! heres to the end of days for Algae and Cyano!