How to get rid of this brown hairy cyano algae?

[Rilo]

It’s not spreading at all and wherever there is growth it usually comes back if I scrape it off. It only chooses specific spots for growth. How can I get rid of this? It’s a ~5 month old tank nicely cycled. All coral are thriving in it. Only this algae is bothering me. Anything I can do?

 

[ZoWhat]

Run tests on NO3 & PO4

 

[Rilo]

Run tests on NO3 & PO4

Ordered a test kit. Let's assume phosphates are the issue. What can I do to solve the issue?

 

[DesertCitiesReefer]

Best and easiest way to lower phosphates is do a water change. Depending on the level a bigger water change then normal.

 

[Rilo]

Best and easiest way to lower phosphates is do a water change. Depending on the level a bigger water change then normal.

Is there any other way? All my frags are starting to get the algae.

 

[nereefpat]

Water changes don't work very well for phosphates. Phosphate, unlike nitrate, is absorbed and held/released by rock and sand.
GFO works well for absorbing phosphate. Lanthunum chloride will drop phosphate like a rock.

Some of that is to be expected with a new tank.

 

[mtdaly85]

It is hard to tell from this picture, but it could very well be Dinoflagellates. Can you take a few more pictures under white light?

 

[Cell]

I feel like the reefing community is too quick to ID any hair algae as dino.

 

[beaslbob]

1) macro algae refugium.
2) black out for a few days
3) clean up crew.

and that my .02 (^3) LOL

 

[Rilo]

It is hard to tell from this picture, but it could very well be Dinoflagellates. Can you take a few more pictures under white light?

It very well could be. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s phosphates. I started with dry rock so my theory is it’s still leaching.

Here’s the pictures:

 

[Rilo]

It very well could be. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s phosphates. I started with dry rock so my theory is it’s still leaching.

Here’s the pictures:

Never saw it under whites... it’s looking like gha

 

[ReefGeezer]

Never saw it under whites... it’s looking like gha

I agree. Hair Algae. Get some Urchins and maybe a Blenny, check & reduce phosphate/nitrate as needed, or there are some products that kill off HA.

 

[Rilo]

Here’s an update.

I’ve decided to do a 3 day blackout. Covered my tank and turned off the light.

I’m going to buy an urchin to eat everything up during the black out.

Another thing I’ve looked into is dosing hydrogen peroxide. I’m testing it in my 40B. A lower dosage of 3ml just to see how the coral react to it.

The 40B is also in a 3 day blackout so if I see good results I’ll do another 3 day on my 20L and dose there.

Anyone have thoughts comments or experience with hydrogen peroxide?

Here’s the one I’m using. From Rite Aid

It worries me that’s it’s stabilized hydrogen peroxide... if it works great but I plan on buying a diluted version.

 

[tqpolo]

Turbo snails will clean up those. Still you need to check your phosphate.