Help with Golden Algae or Chrysophytes

[genocyberkun]

I have been maintaining my saltwater tank since 2009 and have greatly enjoyed it. It has been a lot of learning and a lot of struggle. I have a 90-gallon tank with 2 Cardinals, 1 Clownfish, and 1 Royal Gama. I also have some corals and a clam.

For the most part, everything has been nice for the last year, but lately I have been struggling with what I believe is Golden Algae or Chrysophytes. That's why I decided to join this community and seek some help and advice, because this seems to be something I won't figure out entirely on my own. What I have learned is that Chrysophytes thrive in a nutrient-starved environment. I am using the Hanna Colorimeters to measure nitrates and phosphates, and I am getting 0. For the last two weeks, I have been dosing Nitrogen (NeoNitro) and Phosphates (NeoPhos), but my levels are still undetectable. I have turned off my skimmer and made a water change in 1 month. I am monitoring my ammonia in Nitrates, and levels are good without any problems.

A couple of weeks ago, I made a three-day blackout on my tank, and that helped reduce the pace at which they are growing. The actual algae turned from golden to brown. Which I assume is an effect of the lack of light. I also reduced the duration of my lights to only 6 hours a day. For the last week, I have been vacuuming my sand and returning the water to my tank after passing it through a 10-micron sock filter. Also, I am using a 10-micron sock filter for the return line of my sump to catch as many of these things as possible. I also added MicroBacter7 and AF Life Source to my tank to improve the biome. I also checked for silicates using the Salifert SI Profi Test Kit to measure, and the results seem very low.

I am attaching some videos and images to show you what I have. I appreciate all your help.

Hector

 

[Dan_P]

I have been maintaining my saltwater tank since 2009 and have greatly enjoyed it. It has been a lot of learning and a lot of struggle. I have a 90-gallon tank with 2 Cardinals, 1 Clownfish, and 1 Royal Gama. I also have some corals and a clam.

For the most part, everything has been nice for the last year, but lately I have been struggling with what I believe is Golden Algae or Chrysophytes. That's why I decided to join this community and seek some help and advice, because this seems to be something I won't figure out entirely on my own. What I have learned is that Chrysophytes thrive in a nutrient-starved environment. I am using the Hanna Colorimeters to measure nitrates and phosphates, and I am getting 0. For the last two weeks, I have been dosing Nitrogen (NeoNitro) and Phosphates (NeoPhos), but my levels are still undetectable. I have turned off my skimmer and made a water change in 1 month. I am monitoring my ammonia in Nitrates, and levels are good without any problems.

A couple of weeks ago, I made a three-day blackout on my tank, and that helped reduce the pace at which they are growing. The actual algae turned from golden to brown. Which I assume is an effect of the lack of light. I also reduced the duration of my lights to only 6 hours a day. For the last week, I have been vacuuming my sand and returning the water to my tank after passing it through a 10-micron sock filter. Also, I am using a 10-micron sock filter for the return line of my sump to catch as many of these things as possible. I also added MicroBacter7 and AF Life Source to my tank to improve the biome. I also checked for silicates using the Salifert SI Profi Test Kit to measure, and the results seem very low.

I am attaching some videos and images to show you what I have. I appreciate all your help.

Hector

Photos a bit out of focus. It looks like Chrysophytes and confidence in my answer is 75%.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Only way I got rid of them after months of trying manual removal was a long period of dosing Algae Fix.

 

[genocyberkun]

Photos a bit out of focus. It looks like Chrysophytes and confidence in my answer is 75%.

I will get a microscope tomorrow, I will try to get better images.

 

[genocyberkun]

Only way I got rid of them after months of trying manual removal was a long period of dosing Algae Fix.

I have read about dosing Algae Fix, but I am somewhat afraid to use it. Are corals and clams good with Algae Fix?

 

[RoanokeReef]

I have read about dosing Algae Fix, but I am somewhat afraid to use it. Are corals and clams good with Algae Fix?

I had no issues with corals but didn’t have a clam at the time.

 

[genocyberkun]

Photos a bit out of focus. It looks like Chrysophytes and confidence in my answer is 75%.

What is you opinion? I believe they are not chrysophytes.

 

[Dan_P]

What is you opinion? I believe they are not chrysophytes.

These organisms make me think Prorocentrum dinoflagellate.

 

[genocyberkun]

These organisms make me think Prorocentrum dinoflagellate.

Yes, I am thinking the same. I really don’t know what happened, but the behavior changes a lot from before. What it used to look like golden algae now it looks darker and slimier. That is why I tested with a new microscope and found these. I will start treating for Prorocentrum Dinoflagellate.