Purple and Green Algae

My tank has been running for over 8 months now, and I've slowly developed a soft purple algae that has been taking over my sand bed, and a bright green mossy algae on my rocks. I wanted to introduce coralline into my tank, but I want to get rid of this stuff first. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Pics really help. The purple stuff could be cyano. I'm not sure about the green though.

 

are you using tap water for your tank?

 

I am using tap water. I'll get pictures up when I can.

 

Here are the pics

 

You'll likely never get that under control as long as your using tap water. Are you running a skimmer? A good skimmer and RO water are the key, even better with a refugium to grow macro algaes.

 

So if you truly want to beat the algae in your tank, the first thing to do is to stop using tap water. You have a couple of options, if you have a decent LFS near you, they probably sell the water they use for their systems. and if that is not the case, just buying distilled water from the grocery store is better than tap, but you really ought to look into buying a RO/DI system for your home.

 

Quit using tap water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats the cardinal rule in fish keeping. You will never get rid of the algae. I use clean rodi water and i still have cyano, so good luck battling with regular water.

 

You can try running a reactor with biopellets in it as well. Here is a good thread to read as well. http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/carbon-dosing-method-testing-started-107232.html

Buld Reef Supply: Dual BRS GFO and Carbon Reactor

 

Okay so I'll stop using tap water. But how can I first combat the algae in the tank?