Coraline algae

[red13miller]

Can coraline algae grow on the sand???

[phish guy]

iv never seen it do so, nor do i think it could. the sand moves around to much.

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11370895#post11370895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by red13miller
Can coraline algae grow on the sand???
yes.
It can grow under sand, too.

[marin31ife]

simple answer..... yes

but you need a good calcium reading for it to grow in the first place

coraline algae will grow on anything but as stated above you dont see it that often as in most systems with a good enough calcium level for it to grow in vast proportions you usually have too much flow for the micro's to settle i.e an sps setup

joe

[red13miller]

alright i was wondering because areas of my sand are turning a purple/reddish color and it looks like coraline

[marin31ife]

it probable is

how new is ure setup?

[red13miller]

Its been running for about 7 months

[marin31ife]

may be diatoms then(not so good)

has your system been through any algae blooms in that time?

[red13miller]

No i havent had any algae blooms.... but it doesnt look like diatoms but it might be

[marin31ife]

keep an eye on it

diatom is a rapid growth algae where as coraline isnt.

if it does turn out to be diatoms keep on top of your parameters and keep your water changes up and it will pass in time

[red13miller]

alright thanks.... i'll post a picture of it in a little bit and then see what you think

[marin31ife]

would be a good idea ill keep my eye open but im new to this forum and its all still a bit confusing on how it works:D

[Curve50880]

Cyanobacteria is a possibility. Try to get a picture to make it easier for us to help you out.

[red13miller]

I'll get a picture up in a hour or so because i dont have my camera with me... but ill have it in a little bit

[Curve50880]

Does it look like this?
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/curve50880/Picture005.jpg

If so then you have cyano...congrats and welcome to the club lol

[red13miller]

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/red13miller/CSC_0360.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/red13miller/DSC_0361.jpg

[red13miller]

This is what it looks like and it hasnt really spread in the last week.... so thats why im not so sure if its cyano

[usmc121581]

I hate to piggy back but thats what I have but its a yellowish green. MY tank has been setup for almost 4 years, but recently has been setup straight for the last year. Im in the military and have moved and its been moved 7 times in the last 4 years. It just recently happen the last month. All I did was rearrange my rocks.

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11372561#post11372561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by red13miller
This is what it looks like and it hasnt really spread in the last week.... so thats why im not so sure if its cyano
your picture shows cyanobacteria. Also called red slime or smear algae.

[red13miller]

Does cyano spread quickly?

[md14fish]

Yes it spreads quickly.

[red13miller]

Thats why im not so sure its cyano because its looked like that for a week now and isnt spreading quickly

[Kannin]

Looks like cyano to me... Bin ther, done that! Higher flow, less nutrients, less light and a phosban reactor.

[red13miller]

So for sure it's cyano then?

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11373576#post11373576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by red13miller
So for sure it's cyano then?
for sure. You take nice pictures.

[red13miller]

well now im convinced its cyano because I came home from school today and now its worse.... i'll post a picture here soon.

Thanks Gary and I really like taking pictures and i'm in a digital photography class in my high school so that helps a lot

[red13miller]

Well here are the pics.... you can tell a difference between the pics from yesterday and today

[red13miller]

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/red13miller/DSC_0363.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/red13miller/DSC_0364.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/red13miller/CSC_0365.jpg

[red13miller]

Can someone tell me how to get rid of this?

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11380278#post11380278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by red13miller
Can someone tell me how to get rid of this?

clean up the system.

Make sure to keep ALL water parameters optimal. Run a skimmer. Do a water change using RO water. Install a lit refugium to grow and harvest macroalgae. Cut back nutrient input (feedings etc.) if possible.

Welcome to the wonderful world of reefkeeping! :D

[red13miller]

Thank you, when i do water changes I always use RO water and i have a lit refugium with chaeto in it.... so i'll need to run a skimmer and cut back on my nutrient input

Thanks for the help

[NYIntensity]

Also make sure you're not overfeeding...feed them casually; adding a pinch at a time (or a small amount if using frozen food), until the fish seem to lose interest. Then STOP. Also make sure that area of the tank is receiving enough flow; when I had an outbreak (and am still fighting remnants) a change to the flow patter in my tank immediately stopped over 90% of it. I also changed the feeding pattern and reduced the lighting period by 4 hours.

[red13miller]

alright I will reduce the time my lights are on also because latley i've been running the lights longer

How long does it usually take to get rid of??

Thanks for the help