Whats rusty orange algae

[Aluco]

It's just been popping up on my rockwork. I don't have current parameters but I spose I can run some tests if needed but it's starting to cover more and more of the rocks. Pictures aren't filtered but it just looks like an orange rust is covering the rockwork all inverts are fine. Last wc was less than a week ago.

Edit okok I'll pull out the filter for photos. Honestly through my amateur eyes it looks like coralline but idk..

 

[CoralB]

Hard to tell from the pictures but are you sure it’s not diatoms ??? In this hobby you should be testing your water and with quality test equipment ! . How old is the tank ???

 

[Aluco]

Hard to tell from the pictures but are you sure it’s not diatoms ??? In this hobby you should be testing your water and with quality test equipment ! . How old is the tank ???

Hmm I'm not sure, no. It's pretty orange, do diatoms present like that? I have test equipment just had a long work day but I for sure can pull some numbers. Tanks a bit over 3 months old. Running fallow for about 42 days. Last tests I did nitrates were a bit low at 2 and phos was at about 0.1. Ph 8.2 salinity 1.025 alk 9.3 no ammonia detectable. Those tests were done less than a week ago.

My testing kits are salifert except phos is red sea.

 

[CoralB]

Hmm I'm not sure, no. It's pretty orange, do diatoms present like that? I have test equipment just had a long work day but I for sure can pull some numbers. Tanks a bit over 3 months old. Running fallow for about 42 days. Last tests I did nitrates were a bit low at 2 and phos was at about 0.1. Ph 8.2 salinity 1.025 alk 9.3 no ammonia detectable. Those tests were done less than a week ago.

My testing kits are salifert except phos is red sea.

Yah I would test . Make sure your nitrates and phosphates never zero out . your nitrates should be higher like around 10- 15 ppm and phosphates which are ok but try to keep a rule of thumb around 0.05 - 0.10

 

[Jekyl]

Need white light pics to be sure but appears to be diatoms. Ugly phase gets to us all.

 

[Aluco]

Ok I didn't run all tests but checked nutrient levels. To me nitrates looked like 10 and phos looked between 0-0.1

I have a couple pictures but they don't translate too well. I'll add another from the rockwork. Ty

 

[Aluco]

Need white light pics to be sure but appears to be diatoms. Ugly phase gets to us all.

Ugly phase now tho after 3 months and no fish? I used live rock and haven't really experienced a ton of algae issues except for maybe a coral that came with some on it..

 

[Jekyl]

Just diatoms. They consume the silica in the sand and rocks and will clear up on their own.

 

[Jekyl]

Ugly phase now tho after 3 months and no fish? I used live rock and haven't really experienced a ton of algae issues except for maybe a coral that came with some on it..

Everyone gets the ugly phase when using dry rock.

 

[CoralB]

Ok I didn't run all tests but checked nutrient levels. To me nitrates looked like 10 and phos looked between 0-0.1

I have a couple pictures but they don't translate too well. I'll add another from the rockwork. Ty

Yah !! I’m not crazy about the color matching tests kits . You may want to invest in a Hanna phosphate checker and nitrate checker

 

[Aluco]

Yah !! I’m not crazy about the color matching tests kits . You may want to invest in a Hanna phosphate checker and nitrate checker

I have their copper checker I just hate always needing to buy more reagents

 

[CoralB]

I have their copper checker I just hate always needing to buy more reagents

Yes but in my opinion easier to read and more accurate

 

[Aluco]

Yes but in my opinion easier to read and more accurate

No doubt im sure numbers seem ok tho I guess,

 

[Aluco]

Everyone gets the ugly phase when using dry rock.

Hey I'm the guy who made an anemone upset by messing with the lighting settings. Do you think that could also lead to an algae bloom? Or just newer tank growing pains?

 

[Jekyl]

Hey I'm the guy who made an anemone upset by messing with the lighting settings. Do you think that could also lead to an algae bloom? Or just newer tank growing pains?

Algae happens for a number of reasons.

 

[Aluco]

Algae happens for a number of reasons.

Lol I know I was just looking for a correlation. It's my fault for being curious as to why things happen I suppose instead of just letting it go. Ty both of you. G'night