Red Algae developing???

[CMOS]

Hey All,

My noob tank is doing pretty well. Recently a couple patches of red algae have developed on the substrate and are spreading pretty quickly.

Is this normal? Is this good? Should I "clean" this stuff? Are there critters that will eat this form of algae?

Thanks for any and all responses!

CMOS

[Future]

Is it red or possibly a brownish color?

Sounds like it could be the tyical bloom that happens during a cycle if this is a new system set-up.

[CMOS]

It's not the diatom bloom. Tank has been up for about 4-5 months now. "Red" algae has just recently started to grow. Nitrates and nitrites are off the low end of the scale.

Thoughts?

CMOS

[Ninong]

Are you sure you're talking about "red algae" and not cyanobacteria?

[CMOS]

Are you sure you're talking about "red algae" and not cyanobacteria?

No, I am not sure at all. I'm seeing 2 patches of aht appears to be "red" algae on the substrate (and small portions of the front glass close to the substrate). These patches seem to be expanding so I'm interested in find out what this is, and if it's harmful or normal.


CMOS

[Ninong]

I had a problem with an unknown red turf alga on my live rock. It took me at least 10 months to get rid of it.

I don't think I'm aware of any red algae that blooms on the sand bed. Maybe you can describe it?

[mbunakeith]

i have seen this red "algae", probably bacteria, spread like wild-fire on my sand after adding live sand to my already established tank. it isnt very sticky, so you can siphon it out with a small tube. i would get rid of as much and you can by siphoning and after a few weeks, it will go away as the tank parameters stabilize.

[Ninong]

If you think you have cyanobacteria, then just do a search on the board using that word. We have discussed cyanobacteria in depth dozens of times.