Yet another Algae ID thread

I know what you're thinking... Another noob gone nutzo about some common algae problem in their tank. Well you may be right! After looking through a lot of ID pictures I can't really find this particular algae strain.

From a distance it resembles hair algae.



When you get closer you can see it branch off. Not a perfect fern structure though. Please bare with my poor picture skills. First time using an SLR.




I hope for the best but I fear the worst. Hair algae, Bryopsis? You be the judge.

Have noot finished cycling yet. Also heres my parameters for good measure.

pH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 2.0
Nitrates 20
Phosphate 0.5
Calcium 480
dkh 12
Mg 1230

 

ok i normally leave the lighting on during my cycle(some dont), but i would recommend turning the light off and covering the tank with a sheet. as this algae looks like a problem causer.
also as much flow as you can give is helpful

 

so turn off the light. Cover it. Dies in a few days? What about spores. What's to prevent it from returning? Is it bryopsis?

 

it may be it looks kinda feathery.

not a few days, a few weeks would be better for it dieing and the spores. the lack of light will also allow the bacteria to grow and become the nutrient removers not the algae. it will prevent a small outbreak from becoming a disaster.

you may want to invest in a phosphate reactor if you have the money, its not to bad like 50 dollars

 

Are you 100% certain this would work? Should I try elevated mag levels or just nuke the tank and start all over

 

Is it sticking to the glass at all as well? If so, it's probably not byropsis. Its not clumping like byropsis does either. I had something that looked an awful lot like that when I was towards the end of my cycle. I suggest more flow to those areas. It worked for me.

 

a couple weeks with out light(anylight) should work, it worked on a very invasive turf algae(whole tank was covered) in my fathers tank.

the turf didnt comeback

 

It is moving into the sand and into any scratches on the acrylic but not on smooth acrylic really. I will try the flow but a lot of the algae is in direct line of fire from the powerheads and doesnt really seem to be affecting them.

 

Is the base of the algae brown?

 

you may consider a urchin or too if you still have it after cycling, also a seahare would probably eat all of it(its gotta go back once its job is done or it will starve).