What kind of algae

[squid row]

Seeing lots of different color algae growing and curious if any of it is good

Tank is 20 gallons water params are 0 ammonia, nitrate and nitrite

Light is 65 watt pc

 

[ryeguyy84]

looks like a little Cyano to me. is this a newer tank?

 

[squid row]

looks like a little Cyano to me. is this a newer tank?

Tank has been up since early November. Started with LFS water, dead rock and sand from Marco Rock

After cycling through ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, I now have two tiny blue/green chromis and one little clownfish

Been through a diatom bloom that came and went. See some green algae and some purple algae and i am assuming both are cyano

Another question - when algae is on the sand bed, is it ok to slightly disturb the sand to cover it up or is it just best to let it grow?

 

[ryeguyy84]

the tank is still young, you're going to get some Cyano here and there. how is the flow in the tank and how many hours do you have your lights on?

I wouldn't cover it, if it bothers you pull it out. it's something that has to run it's course.

 

[flamingdragon]

Been through a diatom bloom that came and went. See some green algae and some purple algae and i am assuming both are cyano

I think that purple algae is Coraline algae correct me if I am wrong

 

[squid row]

I think that purple algae is Coraline algae correct me if I am wrong

I don't know how to tell the difference

 

[thegrun]

I think that purple algae is Coraline algae correct me if I am wrong

Sorry, but no, that is cyanobacteria, not coraline algae. You can use an old tooth brush to remove it. Increased water flow sometimes helps, but nearly all new tanks go through a phase with it.

 

[mvallee_ma]

Looks like Cyano to me too, my rocks started turning that greenish color before they started growing coraline but being only a couple months in probably another form of algae

 

[AshlynnsDad]

Can confirm. It's cyano. It looks like there may be some green hair algae starting there as well. When it's that thin you don't usually see it get hairy like that.

 

[squid row]

Thanks for all the feedback

Is there anything I should be doing or just let it go wild?

 

[AshlynnsDad]

Get it out of there ASAP and check your phosphate/nitrate levels. You are probably going to notice an elevation. Definitely address that by adjusting your feeding or the frequency of maintenance such as filter media change, water change, etc...

Don't let that stuff go wild. It will look like hell after a few weeks.

 

[TimeConsumer]

It's normal for new tanks. Don't panic. Just maintain proper husbandry (water changes, don't overfeed, etc) and it will soon disappear. The ecology of your tank is still finding balance. I would also like to note I found cyano more likely to proliferate in tanks with unstable alk levels.

 

[squid row]

I started this thread about a month ago and now my tank is overrun with cyano.

I purchased an API Phophate test kit and although the color makes it really hard for me to read it, it looks like phosphate is showing up around 0.25 PPM

So I purchased the Seachem Phosguard and put it in the bag and then into my HOB filter.

Not sure if that is the right approach or not, any advice?