What is this? Algae?

DoriReef

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Algae growth? Rest of sand is white
20261008_130010_E2606A01-AAE7-426A-AFE9-1C050CD3CBC5.png
 
Algae growth? Rest of sand is white
20261008_130010_E2606A01-AAE7-426A-AFE9-1C050CD3CBC5.png
Looks a lot like either early case of dinoflagellate, or return of diatoms. You likely introduced some silicates. Old/unchanged RODI filters are a common cause of diatoms in mature tanks because they don't fully filter the water. Also, if you added any new rock or sand, they would introduce silicates as well.
 
Algae growth? Rest of sand is white
20261008_130010_E2606A01-AAE7-426A-AFE9-1C050CD3CBC5.png
Looks a lot like diatoms. Is your tank new? If not, you likely introduced some silicates. Old/unchanged RODI filters are a common cause of diatoms in mature tanks because they don't fully filter the water. Also, if you added any new rock or sand, they would introduce silicates as well.
Yes it is new been up for about 3 weeks
 
Yes it is new been up for about 3 weeks
Yeah don't worry about it right now. If your nutrients are consistent, I highly doubt they are dinoflagellates, and diatoms will dissappear once the silicates run out.
 
Just new tank stuff. Its going to get worse before it gets better most likely. Just read up on the ugly stage and be patient.
 
What nutrients do i have to watch for Dino
Nitrates and phosphates. It's not about their numbers, it's about their ratio and consistency. For instance, 5ppm nitrates and 20ppm nitrates are bith just as harmless as eachother. But if nitrates rose from 5 to 20ppm in the span of a week, that calls for algae like dino's real quick.

Dinoflagellates are microscopic organisms, that respond to changes in water chemistry a lot faster than large organisms like seaweed and coral do. Therefore, a sudden drop or increase allows these algae to take advantage of it. In contrast, a gradual increase in nitrates(as long as your tank demands it) is perfectly safe, because it gives your coral and other photosynthetic life to adjust, and compete against the nuisance algaes.

Also I had an instance where my nitrates went up, but my phosphates went down. That disrupts the phosphate to nitrate ratio and I ended up with a worse ugly phase than was necessary.

So just keep watch of those two nutrients, and never chase a number. You tank will greatly appreciate consistency, and gradual change. :)
 
What nutrients do i have to watch for Dino
Nitrates and phosphates. It's not about their numbers, it's about their ratio and consistency. For instance, 5ppm nitrates and 20ppm nitrates are bith just as harmless as eachother. But if nitrates rose from 5 to 20ppm in the span of a week, that calls for algae like dino's real quick.

Dinoflagellates are microscopic organisms, that respond to changes in water chemistry a lot faster than large organisms like seaweed and coral do. Therefore, a sudden drop or increase allows these algae to take advantage of it. In contrast, a gradual increase in nitrates(as long as your tank demands it) is perfectly safe, because it gives your coral and other photosynthetic life to adjust, and compete against the nuisance algaes.

Also I had an instance where my nitrates went up, but my phosphates went down. That disrupts the phosphate to nitrate ratio and I ended up with a worse ugly phase than was necessary.

So just keep watch of those two nutrients, and never chase a number. You tank will greatly appreciate consistency, and gradual change. :)
Interesting thank you! So no specific ratio or numbers are good just what works for ur tank?
 

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