Please help me identify this Algea

[TheNewClownFish]

Hi everyone,

My tank is slightly three weeks old - I’m having some issues with an Algae I can’t identify. It happened right after my diatoms (still there but slowly going down). I thought it was Bryopsis but it’s brown and not feather like. It also had a bulb at the top of the stem.

My tank is also having a slight bacterial bloom. I’ve made sure that there’s oxygen (pointed wave maker at the top).

I should note - I didn’t buy my own RODI unit initially since I used my LFS RODI and mixed my salt. However, I’ll be buying and using my own RODI starting this week and right at my next water change this weekend.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I'm not positive but it looks like the beginning of red turf algae.

 

[TheNewClownFish]

I'm not positive but it looks like the beginning of red turf algae.

Thing is, it’s all over my rocks, sand and even a bit on the glass.

 

[EnterName]

Some Diatoms can cluster together and form tiny "filaments" so that's another option.

I don't have a better image of this phenomenon but here:

page 1, post #16 in my microscopy thread shows one of the (probably many) diatom species that can cause this and how they cluster together to form macroscopic structures that can be seen with the naked eye.

It's also possible that diatoms attach to algae filaments and make it look like it's not just some green hair/turf algae.

Not a definite ID, but a possibility. In these cases a microscope can really help a lot.

As your filaments grow thicker towards the end it's less likely but a beginning diatom bloom matches your tank's age, I suppose. The ugly phase is coming

 

[dave001]

My first year of my nano had the same stuff. It did, eventually sort it's self out if that helps at all ( I know it doesn't!)

 

[TheNewClownFish]

Some Diatoms can cluster together and form tiny "filaments" so that's another option.

I don't have a better image of this phenomenon but here:

page 1, post #16 in my microscopy thread shows one of the (probably many) diatom species that can cause this and how they cluster together to form macroscopic structures that can be seen with the naked eye.

It's also possible that diatoms attach to algae filaments and make it look like it's not just some green hair/turf algae.

Not a definite ID, but a possibility. In these cases a microscope can really help a lot.

As your filaments grow thicker towards the end it's less likely but a beginning diatom bloom matches your tank's age, I suppose. The ugly phase is coming

Thanks so much. This is a bit reassuring to hear. So just continue with the regular water changes right and with time it’ll get better?

 

[TheNewClownFish]

My first year of my nano had the same stuff. It did, eventually sort its self out if that helps at all ( I

My first year of my nano had the same stuff. It did, eventually sort it's self out if that helps at all ( I know it doesn't!)

My first year of my nano had the same stuff. It did, eventually sort it's self out if that helps at all ( I know it doesn't!)

It helps to hear that, thank you. Did you do anything in particular or just continue regular maintenance

 

[EnterName]

Thanks so much. This is a bit reassuring to hear. So just continue with the regular water changes right and with time it’ll get better?

If those are diatoms you only need to make sure the water you use to top off evaporated tank water and the water for water changes is free of silicates. Diatoms make use of dissolved silicates to build their outer shells called frustules.

Usually people use a TDS meter to check their RO/DI water. Freshly made water should read 0ppm TDS (or if it's measuring conductivity below 1μS/cm). Don't measure RO/DI that has been sitting for a few minutes or even longer. CO2 from the surrounding air dissolves quickly and increases the readings. Many RO/DI systems have built-in TDS meters for that reason but you can upgrade yours easily if it doesn't have one. Just look for in line TDS meter on BRS or so.