Red algae?

[yh1185]

Just wondering if you guys could tell me what this is that's growing on my sand? I was hoping it wasn't cyano, and i don't see any bubbles, but if it is how can i deal with it? Thanks guys!

 

[Sunny]

Cyano. What are your nitrates and phosphates? Cyano is fueled by them.

 

[yh1185]

Yea i know, but my phosphates are ~.5ppm and nitrates ~0.

 

[AcidRayn]

Yea i know, but my phosphates are ~.5ppm and nitrates ~0.

time for new, better test kits,
increase flow to the area

 

[Hotdogg]

Remember, your phosphates and nitrates are being used by the algae, therefore your test will look better tan it really is..

 

[downbeach]

What are you using to measure it with? Your PO4 is best kept below .03ppm.

 

[yh1185]

Yea i'll prob get it tested at my lfs later this week. And in terms of flow it's literally 2 ft from where my powerhead is directed towards. i can see the algae blowing in 1 direction.

 

[redfishbluefish]

0.5 ppm phosphates is very high. You need to lower this number. What is your water source (tap or RO or RO/DI). Hopefully it’s RO/DI and if that’s the case, I’d start with water changes where you’re siphoning up the cyano.

 

[yh1185]

Thx guys. Just in case this helps, i just removed the algae manually, and it literally came off in like a sheet.

 

[downbeach]

Thx guys. Just in case this helps, i just removed the algae manually, and it literally came off in like a sheet.

You want to continue to do this. Also, once you've started to use better test equipment, make sure that your water is what it should be. Starting with your RO/DI, make sure you've got '0' TDS, check your make up water next, if there's any nutrients there, you're just adding to the problem every time you do a WC. I'd suggest using a Hanna meter for PO4, since the chemical kits are known to be notoriously unreliable/inaccurate.