What is it?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by 2manycars, May 12, 2014.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. 2manycars

    2manycars Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    We were away this past week and a friend was fish sitting for us. The tank is about a year old and has been developing lots of red algae which though I am not crazy about doesn't look bad. When we returned from our trip we noticed lots of white blotches developing as week as a brown layer on some of the rock. They are fed three cubes every other day and we run a protein skimmer and have a filter sock which was in desperate need of changing after our week away with it not being changed at all during that time.

    We had been keeping the tank covered but for the past few weeks uncovered it to let in more Oxygen. We covered it while we were away so there was less evaporation. I have been "vodka dosing(.4ml a day)" for some time now and my nitrates have stayed at 0 as well as all other things I test for seeming good other than a low calcium level.

    I am concerned with the new colors (algae?) developing and want to make sure it is still a healthy tank. We do see a huge number of snails each night but they seem to be gone by the next morning except for a large number in the overflow area of our tank. I am attaching a picture to show what I think may be a problem.

    I would appreciate any feedback you can provide and as always. Thanks IMG_0302.jpg
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2010
    Messages:
    6,344
    Location:
    Dunnellon, Florida
    Covering the tank is not a good idea even for a day or two.3 cubes of frozen???What size tank??List of inhabitants??
    Can't tell what type of algae it is but your biopellets will not remove phosphate when the nitrates disapear. I would test for them.
     
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2011
    Messages:
    4,732
    Location:
    A Texan in S.E. Wisconsin
    In that photo, all I see in purple and white coralline algae= good stuff

    I am wearing my glasses!
     
  5. 2manycars

    2manycars Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    My concern is the white on the plastic as well as the brown on top of the live rock. As long as it isn't doing any harm Im fine with it. No doubt it will cycle once again. The sand has some tan in it like the way it was when we first got the tank before it cycled. I am going to leave it uncovered and see if that brings things back to normal.
     
  6. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,660
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    the white is coralline that has not changed to purple yet or has lost that color. Are you talking about the brownish stuff that is on the rock next to a plate? I can not tell what that is.
     
  7. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    2,827
    Location:
    Akron Ohio
    Looks to me like your coralline algae is dying. What are your parameters?
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. 2manycars

    2manycars Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Temperature is 76.8
    Salinity-1.025
    Nitrates-O
    Nitrites-0
    High Range PH-7.8
    Ammonia-0

    I have another post regarding first one and now two dead fish. They seem to have died concurrently with the general tank changes I see including that brown on top of he live rock. All was well when we left on vacation. We had a women feeding the fish while we were gone. The only other thing i noticed was that the filter sock was filthy and that there was a lot of lift brown material on the bottom of the sump that I had not seen much of for some time. Everything other than the recent two dead fish seems Ok, My protein skimmer seems to be working well and the water looks clean.
     
  10. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2010
    Messages:
    6,344
    Location:
    Dunnellon, Florida
    Alk.? Calcium?Magnesium?Phosphate?:confused: