Pics and a question
- Thread starter kparton
- Start date
Well, the algae has started to back off some and appears to be dying off. I have reduced the photoperiod quite a bit and this seems to help. I am starting, however, to see patches of very deep green and a few that are a maroon color, almost the color of coralline algae, but not encrusting, more like a carpet on top of the rock. I tried to get a picture, but it just doesn't translate onto film very well. Is this cyanobacteria? I didn't ever have this in my tank before, so I don't know what it looks like.
Also, just so I know what to look for, what do dinoflagellates look like? I'm preparing to leave for a week and all that will be done to the tank is daily topoffs and emptying the skimmer if necessary. I think I'm going to reduce the photoperiod to 4 hours (it's at about 5.5 now) for the full week so even if I do have a new algae infestation, it may not get to take full control before I get back.
I have again tested for everything I can test for and my levels remain good. I am waiting on my total dissolved solids meter to get here now.
Also, just so I know what to look for, what do dinoflagellates look like? I'm preparing to leave for a week and all that will be done to the tank is daily topoffs and emptying the skimmer if necessary. I think I'm going to reduce the photoperiod to 4 hours (it's at about 5.5 now) for the full week so even if I do have a new algae infestation, it may not get to take full control before I get back.
I have again tested for everything I can test for and my levels remain good. I am waiting on my total dissolved solids meter to get here now.
If the red looks like velvet it's probably cyano. It's not good but can be controlled with the same as the hair algae recommendations and steady removal of the velvet stuff (peel it off the substrate and rock).
I'd guess it's another part of the same cycle. I had my cycle in this order: green hair, diatoms, red cyano, green/brown cyano/slime and then the dreaded dino's. Took about 75 days for it all now I am a bit better off and have good strong pink pastel coralline popping up everywhere
As for your question on what dino's look like: Mine looked exactly like thin strings of snot all over the place. I have heard they come in many shapes and forms but you don't want any of them. They make other algae look like a joke in terms of control.
Stay on your nutrient import/export and your water changes and all will most likely cycle away. If you DO happen to get some nasty stuff just hit it with all the above recommendations and you will be OK.
Here's to no dino's!
I'd guess it's another part of the same cycle. I had my cycle in this order: green hair, diatoms, red cyano, green/brown cyano/slime and then the dreaded dino's. Took about 75 days for it all now I am a bit better off and have good strong pink pastel coralline popping up everywhere
As for your question on what dino's look like: Mine looked exactly like thin strings of snot all over the place. I have heard they come in many shapes and forms but you don't want any of them. They make other algae look like a joke in terms of control.
Stay on your nutrient import/export and your water changes and all will most likely cycle away. If you DO happen to get some nasty stuff just hit it with all the above recommendations and you will be OK.
Here's to no dino's!
Increase the flow to those areas you're seeing the cyanobacteria, it may help (still a normal part of the cycle).
Mooner, how'd you finally beat your dinoflagellate problem? It's the worst problem I've encountered in reefkeeping. It almost had me beat. Did you find the source of the nutrient they were feeding off? I've got the majority of mine beat but still havent' really figured out what's causing it.
Mooner, how'd you finally beat your dinoflagellate problem? It's the worst problem I've encountered in reefkeeping. It almost had me beat. Did you find the source of the nutrient they were feeding off? I've got the majority of mine beat but still havent' really figured out what's causing it.
8) If I do figure something out, I'll post the information. I really was amazed at how little information there is available for, what seemed to me, such a serious issue. I guess we're part of a lucky few that have had to deal with it. The key to getting rid of them seems to be altering photoperiod.
Keep me updated on your situation if you don't mind.
Keep me updated on your situation if you don't mind.
I had a very similar problem in my 90 gallon tank. In the end I took each piece of live rock out and scrubbed it individually and removed as much algae as possible. I added hermit crabs (blue leg) and a scopas tang. I kept my lights off for three day. I used a Kent Phosphate sponge for three separate treatments, three days in a row. My problem was cured in about two weeks knock on wood. It has now been about five months and no signs of regrowth. Your algae actually looks like bryopsis (Parrot's Feather).
Good Luck! :roll:
Good Luck! :roll:
Just a follow-up.
My algae has greatly receded although I have seen some increase in cyano (both brown and green). it seems to be dying off as quickly as it came. What hair algae and Bryopsis that was there is either gone (from me removing it) or no longer growing and will be gone soon. I do water changes often and what I remove has not been growing back at all.
I actually added my first fish last weekend and it looks great. I also did buy a TDS meter and it registered 0 for my RO/DI water. I think I'm on the right track as my nitrates are <5 and my phosphates are still 0.
My starfish and shrimp are doing great as well as my snails. My red legged hermits didn't do too well surprisingly, but all else is going well.
My algae has greatly receded although I have seen some increase in cyano (both brown and green). it seems to be dying off as quickly as it came. What hair algae and Bryopsis that was there is either gone (from me removing it) or no longer growing and will be gone soon. I do water changes often and what I remove has not been growing back at all.
I actually added my first fish last weekend and it looks great. I also did buy a TDS meter and it registered 0 for my RO/DI water. I think I'm on the right track as my nitrates are <5 and my phosphates are still 0.
My starfish and shrimp are doing great as well as my snails. My red legged hermits didn't do too well surprisingly, but all else is going well.
In all honosty I think you are just going through a break-in phase of your tank. Especially if your tank has only been up for a couple of months. Every single person on here (there is always exceptions) have gone through the dreaded "Hair Algea" phase and then the diatoms etc, etc. Now yours looks worse than others, but I would assume this is from your phosphates that you stated were high in the beginning.
Now you are reporting that your phosphates are almost non-existant. That is normal with the kind of algae growth you have. Those phosphates are now bond up inside that algae.
Just keep harvesting and using your RO/DI water for changes. Feeding is normal and I would suggest detrivores other than hermits. For example Nassarias for meaty type clean up, Cerith for detritus, Turbos/Astreas for glass and rock washing of Diatoms, etc... Just don't over do it or they will starve.
If this persists you can always use a Long-Spine Urchin that would be more than happy to consume any and all of your algae. But, that also inlcudes Coraline.
A note about your original post:
As long as you keep your Starfish fed they should pose no problem. They will scavenge around for bits of settle food on the bottom. But, if you don't feed them enough they do get a little aggresive. Especially if you have slow eating LPS. They love to reach in and steal from them.
Now you are reporting that your phosphates are almost non-existant. That is normal with the kind of algae growth you have. Those phosphates are now bond up inside that algae.
Just keep harvesting and using your RO/DI water for changes. Feeding is normal and I would suggest detrivores other than hermits. For example Nassarias for meaty type clean up, Cerith for detritus, Turbos/Astreas for glass and rock washing of Diatoms, etc... Just don't over do it or they will starve.
If this persists you can always use a Long-Spine Urchin that would be more than happy to consume any and all of your algae. But, that also inlcudes Coraline.
A note about your original post:
As long as you keep your Starfish fed they should pose no problem. They will scavenge around for bits of settle food on the bottom. But, if you don't feed them enough they do get a little aggresive. Especially if you have slow eating LPS. They love to reach in and steal from them.
Here's the tank as of today. I think my hair algae phase is all but gone but was followed by this cyano and bryopsis outbreak. All inhabitants are doing well and levels are great as of this posting (just did my round of tests).
There's a picture of the whole tank to compare to the original as well as a picture from the same angle that I took the starfish last time.
There's a picture of the whole tank to compare to the original as well as a picture from the same angle that I took the starfish last time.
Attachments
wow, my tank had literally 4 times the hair algae you had... and it is almost all gone now.
My friends tank was setup a few weeks after mine... he has 10x the hair algae you had! He harvested 5 CUPS of algae yesterday... the week before, he harvested 3 full cups of algae...
My friends tank was setup a few weeks after mine... he has 10x the hair algae you had! He harvested 5 CUPS of algae yesterday... the week before, he harvested 3 full cups of algae...
I don't think you have a problem. If your parameters are fine then all you need is time. Your tank just needs to completely cycle. Here are my suggestions:
1. Stop all supplements for now.
2. Set your photoperiod that you want and leave it alone.
3. Feed minimally.
4. Make sure your RO/DI is free from phosphates, sicates, nitrates, etc.
5. Remove algae by hand.
6. Add herbivores.
7. Be patient!
There are all sorts of ways to treat different problems but in a new tank, algae is not a problem.
1. Stop all supplements for now.
2. Set your photoperiod that you want and leave it alone.
3. Feed minimally.
4. Make sure your RO/DI is free from phosphates, sicates, nitrates, etc.
5. Remove algae by hand.
6. Add herbivores.
7. Be patient!
There are all sorts of ways to treat different problems but in a new tank, algae is not a problem.
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