Brown stringy algae on rocks

[Bigema]

I’ve noticed this type of algae that has rapidly starting to grow on the top of my rocks.

Tank is almost 6 months old.

Phosphates: 0.05
Nitrates: 5

Could I get an ID? And possibly a cause and a way to get rid.

I’m also adding a new lawnmower blenny this weekend after being quarantined for 6 weeks. Would he help me out here?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[vetteguy53081]

It’s Dino and a problem child.
First- Check phosphates and nitrates to assure theyre not elevated.
Here is full program:
Prepare by starting with a water change and blow this stuff loose with a turkey baster and siphon up loose particles.
Turn lights off (at least white and run blue at 10-15%) for 5 days and at night dose 1ml of hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons for all 5 nights. If you dont have light dependent coral- turn all lights off.
During the day dose 1ml of liquid bacteria (such as bacter 7) per 10 gallons.
Clean filters daily and DO NOT FEED CORAL FOODS OR ADD NOPOX as it is food for dinos.
Day 5,, you can start with blue lights - ramping up and work your white lights up slowly

 

[tnw50cal]

It’s Dino and a problem child.
First- Check phosphates and nitrates to assure they're not elevated.

Dinos show up when phosphate hits zero. I would be worried if they were zero ---elevated OK, just grows GHA.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Dinos show up when phosphate hits zero. I would be worried if they were zero ---elevated OK, just grows GHA.

Dinoflagellates are protists organisms -those that do not fit within the three natural kingdoms: animalia, plantae or fungus- with ability to move with rotating movements. All dinoflagellates have the common feature of having two flagella located at right angles allowing them to perform such rotational movement which makes them easily recognizable (although some species such as the genus symbiodinium they are virtually immobile).
There are about 2.400 species which have a highly variable size ranging from 20 and 300 µm in the most common ones and up to 2 mm in the case of species such as noctiluca. In the marine aquarium species are usual smaller as symbiodinium and Amphidinium, While some like ostreopsis are large and can be seen without a microscope (with good lighting and visual acuity).
The problem arises when conditions in the aquarium break the biological balance and some dinoflagellate species spread uncontrollably, smothering the rest of the aquarium inhabitants. If the dinoflagellate species in question has the ability to produce toxins (usual in ostreopsis, gambierdiscus and prorocentrum to name a few)
The problem often arises when we try to bring cleanliness it to the limit, in order to improve its appearance and color of corals.
They tend to occur suddenly when the aquarium water reaches an extraordinary cleanliness, in which most microorganisms perishes for lack of food. With no other organisms that can stop them, this type of dinoflagellate can multiply so fast that when we realize it's late and we will find an aquarium full of brown and ochre slime suffocating fish and invertebrates. These dinoflagellates possess chloroplasts enabling them to synthesize their own food even under a minimal amount of light. Some species can form cysts called pellicles which allow them to remain in the aquarium for months although we have completely sterilized or kept in complete darkness. Once the light or the right conditions come back, they will reappear and thus problems.
Most of these dinoflagellates have a very curious behavior, typical of pathogens and parasites. With the presence of light they secrete mucus which adhere to any surface, including algae, coral and fish. They spend hours synthesising food and extending vertically in search of the light source (if we turn off the pumps in the aquarium we can see brown filaments grow towards the surface). When the light source disappears and can no longer synthesize food, it begins to diminish to none.

 

[tnw50cal]

The problem often arises when we try to bring cleanliness it to the limit, in order to improve its appearance and color of corals.
They tend to occur suddenly when the aquarium water reaches an extraordinary cleanliness, in which most microorganisms perishes for lack of food.

Now I'm really confused. In one post you say elevated nitrate and phosphate caused the OP's Dinos. Now you say just the opposite.

 

[tnw50cal]

Bigema, does the brown get less at night and then grow back even more during the day?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Now I'm really confused. In one post you say elevated nitrate and phosphate caused the OP's Dinos. Now you say just the opposite.

I never said high- I said to check IF elevated as in extremely high as it would indicate something else going on as in overfeeding, filtration issue, etc

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

I would start be reducing your light period, if possible total blackout for a day and see what response you get. Check that you have a measurable level of nitrates. We want algae to be able to out compete the dinos. I would also hold off for the moment on any water change and let's see what others have to say.

 

[tnw50cal]

I never said high- I said to check IF elevated as in extremely high as it would indicate something else going on as in overfeeding, filtration issue, etc

OP lists his nitrate and phosphate-not elevated. You could have been written that sentence better as they were listed.
Now that you added to it, it makes more sense.

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Ps I would hold off on adding the lawnmower.