Identify this algae?!

[Matthew40b]

I have been battling this algae for a few months now and I have tried a couple different thing to help get rid of it. I started off doing water changes and nothing changed. I thought maybe I had high phosphates (I dont have any way to check right now) so I started using gfo and have been running that for about three weeks. My nitrates are close to zero so I am not sure what else to do! If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Matthew40b]

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Looks like cyanobacteria, not algae. It can be removed with ChemiClean (will make your skimmer go crazy), though some have success just siphoning it out.

Your original post said you had high PO4, which is what cyano seems to thrive on. I would figure out your source of PO4 - either not using RODI water or excess feeding of pellet/flake foods.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would caution against stripping Po4 when you can’t test for it.
It appears to be just a cyano. Green is pretty rare but not that uncommon.
I’m assuming it’s a new tank.
Keep disturbing the mats and perhaps check the type of foods you are using, maybe rotate one out.

Good flow and ph will help a lot. Maybe sand vaccumeing.

 

[Matthew40b]

Looks like cyanobacteria, not algae. It can be removed with ChemiClean (will make your skimmer go crazy), though some have success just siphoning it out.

Your original post said you had high PO4, which is what cyano seems to thrive on. I would figure out your source of PO4 - either not using RODI water or excess feeding of pellet/flake foods.

I have a rodi system and my tds meter has been reading 0 so its not that, but maybe I have been overfeeding. I will try to feed them less and see if that changes anything. If not ill try out the chemiclean because I have been siphoning it out and it just comes right back! Thanks for your help!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Looks like cyanobacteria, not algae. It can be removed with ChemiClean (will make your skimmer go crazy), though some have success just siphoning it out.

Your original post said you had high PO4, which is what cyano seems to thrive on. I would figure out your source of PO4 - either not using RODI water or excess feeding of pellet/flake foods.

No3 actually.dissolved organics and Aminos and ammonia directly. Po4 and carbon can be supplied by rock and sand particularly new sand and rock.

A long in depth look.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-are-the-root-causes-of-cyano.338028/

 

[rkpetersen]

Wow, cyanobacteria that's actually blue-green, pretty uncommon in reef tanks. Agree with salty's recommendations. :)