Algae Problem! Help ID

[chaser]

I’ve been battling algae for a few months now. Life got busy and the algae has been left undisturbed for 2 weeks.
I started getting a black blanket over the algae and then today found white spots on the black covering.
What is the black covering the algae?
What are the white patches?
Is it harmful?
And how do I control it?

PS my clowns seem to love it. They are treating it like an anemone - hosting it.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

cyanobacteria

 

[Tinnerito]

I’ve been battling algae for a few months now. Life got busy and the algae has been left undisturbed for 2 weeks.
I started getting a black blanket over the algae and then today found white spots on the black covering.
What is the black covering the algae?
What are the white patches?
Is it harmful?
And how do I control it?

PS my clowns seem to love it. They are treating it like an anemone - hosting it.

Thats a bad cyano outbreak! What are your nitrates? This is typically caused by a low nutrient content in the water. Regarding the white spots, I can't say this for sure as I've never had this occur, but it is possible the cyanobacteria may be blooming in your tank, the same way other microalgaes, and anemones do, as they change forms and exhibit different colors, textures, or substances like in your case. Though this would again depend on your tank conditions, and how long you've had this algae.

 

[chaser]

Thats a bad cyano outbreak! What are your nitrates? This is typically caused by a low nutrient content in the water. Regarding the white spots, I can't say this for sure as I've never had this occur, but it is possible the cyanobacteria may be blooming in your tank, the same way other microalgaes, and anemones do, as they change forms and exhibit different colors, textures, or substances like in your case. Though this would again depend on your tank conditions, and how long you've had this algae.

It first showed up about 3 weeks ago. I took a brush to the algae but it grew back within a few days. The pictures are of the algae undisturbed for about 10 days. When you say "low nutrient content" what do I do to counteract that? Would that be using products like All-for-Reef? The tank is about 5 months old.

 

[Tinnerito]

It first showed up about 3 weeks ago. I took a brush to the algae but it grew back within a few days. The pictures are of the algae undisturbed for about 10 days. When you say "low nutrient content" what do I do to counteract that? Would that be using products like All-for-Reef? The tank is about 5 months old.

Letting it undisturbed for a week an a half in it's ideal conditions, would definitely cause it to spread like crazy. Assuming your tank lacks nutrients, you want to try and raise your nitrates. What I do in low nutrient systems is feed the fish more food gradually, as food that is uneaten converts to nitrate by bacteria. You could also dose nitrate, but this can be risky, and you definitely don't want to make any big swings in one instance. I suggest you don't do anything until you've tested your nitrates though. Can you provide the numbers? They also grow in low flow areas, and check your phosphate as well. You want to stay between 0.1, and 0.02 ppm. Changing the params will be a long process though, so just keep the algae in check with brushing, and so long as you're keeping up your nitrates and phosphates, over time the outbreak should go under control.

 

[alexmarean]

Hello.Can somebody help me with this algae id.Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello.Can somebody help me with this algae id.Thank you

This is turf algae and one that is labor intense. Often you can apply pressure with your thumb and peel it off. If no success, you will have to pull the rock and scrub off with a stiff brush and hydrogen peroxide. The purple stuff is red slime similar to cyano and often occurs when using tap water for adding water, slow water movement, over feeding and lack of skimming which a protein skimmer will help. If you have a skimmer, assure its running efficiently.
After scrubbing rock, add some snails such as :
Astrea
Ninja star snails
cerith
turbo grazer
trochus

A Pencil urchin

8-10 Caribbean blue leg hermits

Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?
What is your phosphate level?
Is tank at or near a window?

 

[alexmarean]

This is turf algae and one that is labor intense. Often you can apply pressure with your thumb and peel it off. If no success, you will have to pull the rock and scrub off with a stiff brush and hydrogen peroxide. The purple stuff is red slime similar to cyano and often occurs when using tap water for adding water, slow water movement, over feeding and lack of skimming which a protein skimmer will help. If you have a skimmer, assure its running efficiently.
After scrubbing rock, add some snails such as :
Astrea
Ninja star snails
cerith
turbo grazer
trochus

A Pencil urchin

8-10 Caribbean blue leg hermits

Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?
What is your phosphate level?
Is tank at or near a window?

Thank you!Yea i am using rodi and phosfate is oscilating 0.10-0.20 ,it is in front of a window

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you!Yea i am using rodi and phosfate is oscilating 0.10-0.20 ,it is in front of a window

A couple things suspected. Place Black construction paper from Walmart on the side of tank facing window as UV from sun will penetrate shades, blinds and curtains. Phos- add to sump - ChemiPure blue to help with control, manage your amount fed and increase water change frequency as well as assuring you have adequate water flow