Coralline algae or red cyanos?

[zmitty]

Hey guys,

Beginner's question: I have a progressive growth of red algae and I am not sure if this could be some kind of coraline algae or if there could be a distinct problem with red cynaos.

The corals are doing fine at the moment, no problems with parameters. I had red cyanos in the beginning (started the tank in January), but the cyanos mostly covered the sand bed, which is not there at the moment. At the same time as the new red algae growth, I started to get "classic" coralline algae on my MP10 as I know it from videos/photos. Photos attached. Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Formulator]

Definitely cyano. Increasing your flow will help and it is fairy easy to siphon out manually. What is your nitrate and phosphate? Great news about the coralline on the pump though! As that fills in everywhere else, it will make it harder for some of these pests to take hold. It also means you must be doing something right

 

[zmitty]

Thanks! Phosphate 0.03 and Nitrate around 3 ppm.

 

[Formulator]

Thanks! Phosphate 0.03 and Nitrate around 3 ppm.

I don’t think these numbers caused the cyano, but in general they are quite low. You are playing with fire keeping them so low. If they bottom out, you are at high risk of getting dinoflagellates, which you do not want to deal with. Good targets are 0.1 ppm PO4 and 10 ppm NO3.