Brown Stringy Algae. Dinos?

[jschrecongost]

Hi all,

I have this brown stringy algae growing on my rocks and my sand. I’m having trouble determining if it’s just a brown stringy algae or dinos. As you can see it’s growing in and between corals, likely irritating them.

I tested nutrients yesterday and Nitrates are 9 and phosphates are .23, so a little elevated. My plan is a water change tomorrow and gfo to lower phosphates. My general understanding of dinos is that they more often than not arise in low nutrient environments, which I’m not at right now.

That’s why I’m leaning towards a brown stringy algae instead. I had turf algae as an issue previously but reef flux took that out when I used it about a month ago. Then I lowered the nutrients after they went up a bit as the algae died, but the phosphates have crept up again.

Any thoughts would be super appreciated!

Thanks!

Josh

 

[jschrecongost]

Here’s some sand bed photos for a better look. Haven’t noticed it go away at night either, which may mean either algae or the harder to control dinos.

Thanks!

 

[sawdonkey]

Looks like dinos to me…but microscope can confirm.

 

[sawdonkey]

Double post.