The Algea in my tank is out of control need advice

[big man]

The aglea in my tank is getting out of control for me Every time I clean the already off of my sand it grows back the next day and im pretty sure it is diotams but I think it might be dinoflagellates. But I need advice on how to stop it
Parameters are
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ph8.1

 

[AustinBabler]

What’s your phosphate levels? Nitrate being 0 isn’t a good thing. I’m having the same exact issue with 12-16 nitrate and 0.12 phos. I have no clue why I have it so bad but I’ve got algae bad at the moment.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

You sure those are not dinos? You need phosphates and nitrates to have algae.

 

[big man]

You sure those are not dinos? You need phosphates and nitrates to have algae.

I think they are dinos but I dont know what my phosphates are but my nitrates are very low

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Plenty of threads here on how to battle dinos. I’d read up. I had a few bouts a with them. Finally got them under control..for the now. Dosing nitrates and phosphates and it seems to be working

 

[Tbg299]

That looks like cyano to me not, not dinos. Also, just because your nitrates and phosphates are showing 0 doesn't mean that your bioload is not creating waste. It can mean that the cyano is outcompeting all other protists/algae for macronutrients and is absorbing it all.

 

[vetteguy53081]

These are diatoms and often associated with new/newer tanks. Diatoms are a brown algae that typically appear in a reef tank that has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank. They can cover sand, rock, pumps, glass, you name it. Diatoms look ugly but in most cases they are harmless so the key is to not panic when they appear.
Diatoms feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Unfiltered tap water can contain silicates and is a good way to jump start a bloom if you use it to mix salt or to replace water that evaporated from the tank. The best way to prevent this from happening is to filter water through a RODI unit, although you can still get a diatom bloom when using RODI if the cartridge that removes silicates expires.
diatoms are typically harmless to a captive reef and can be beaten once their food source expires. Once you put the kibosh on the source, the outbreak should last a couple of weeks so just be patient and it will pass. For major outbreaks you may want to consider the three day blackout. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly, they are likely to be able to resettle and have exponential growth rates.
To prevent their return, practice good aquarium husbandry by doing regular water changes, keep the substrate clean, don’t overfeed the fish, ensure your skimmer (if you have one) is running at an optimal level and rinse out filter socks and sponges on a regular basis.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You sure those are not dinos? You need phosphates and nitrates to have algae.

Its not regular filamentous algae. Tank appears fairly new

 

[SMSREEF]

There are plenty of different microbes that create a brown film/web. Some are a non issue and the others are treated very differently based on which one you have in your tank.

I would be wary of anyone IDing and giving you a treatment for what this is without a microscope pic.

 

[big man]

These are diatoms and often associated with new/newer tanks. Diatoms are a brown algae that typically appear in a reef tank that has just completed its cycle but they can also appear in an established reef tank. They can cover sand, rock, pumps, glass, you name it. Diatoms look ugly but in most cases they are harmless so the key is to not panic when they appear.
Diatoms feed mainly off of silicates but also consume dissolved organic compounds, phosphate and nitrates. Unfiltered tap water can contain silicates and is a good way to jump start a bloom if you use it to mix salt or to replace water that evaporated from the tank. The best way to prevent this from happening is to filter water through a RODI unit, although you can still get a diatom bloom when using RODI if the cartridge that removes silicates expires.
diatoms are typically harmless to a captive reef and can be beaten once their food source expires. Once you put the kibosh on the source, the outbreak should last a couple of weeks so just be patient and it will pass. For major outbreaks you may want to consider the three day blackout. Diatoms are easily wiped from the glass with a mag float, a turkey baster or a toothbrush can access other areas of the tank. Be prepared for them to re-establish themselves quickly, they are likely to be able to resettle and have exponential growth rates.
To prevent their return, practice good aquarium husbandry by doing regular water changes, keep the substrate clean, don’t overfeed the fish, ensure your skimmer (if you have one) is running at an optimal level and rinse out filter socks and sponges on a regular basis.
Some cleaner crew to help control it are : Cerith snails, Nerite snails and Trochus snails and also Astraea snails are effective at removing diatoms.

I are these also diotams

 

[vetteguy53081]

I are these also diotams

Circled are alooks like cyano