Frustrated In Virginia (Algae Issues)

Hi Guys,

I have been having some sort of algae issues of the last couple of weeks and nothing I have done has changed. I thought that it was cyano but I would like a second or third opinion if you don't mind. I spent the last two weeks doing 5 gallon water changes every other day. I cut my photo period down to 6 hours on the white lights. I have started feeding every other day. I checked my TDS and it is .1. I bought a new ATO bucket for under my tank. It is a white, food grade, bucket that now has a lid. I only cut a hole for the tubing and float holder. I have a ball of chaeto in my sump that has not grown very much. I was hoping it would pull the extra nutrients first but I don't know if that is the case. Can anyone tell me what the algae is for sure? It seems to be concentrating on the edges of my rocks. I was wondering if I am doing too much and stressing over it. I don't like having to mess with my tank so much. I don't particularly like sticking my hands in the tank so much or stressing the fish. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

Regards,
Ivy

 

more like diatoms

 

Looks like diatoms to me. Cyano is more slimy.

 

Hmm.. for lack of knowing when was the tank set up..? Could be still cycling..? And if i remeber right Chaeto is to help pull Phosphates out of the tank ... By any chance is your tank close to any windows..? Natural sunn light can possiably be a small part of it to..

Keep in mind just my 2 crusty cents....


BEst of luck...

 

Thanks for the replies. I would love for it to be diatoms, but how would I tell. It does get built up and get stringy like I have seen pictures of cyano. I haven't seen any bubble in it so I don't know if it is dinoflagellates. I also don't know what would be causing the diatom bloom. I tested my silicates with my salifert kit last night and they read 0. I have also been testing phosphates and nitrates, but they also read 0. Thanks!!!

Ivy

 

The tank was set up last April. It is done cycling and this algae has just shown up in the last couple of weeks. The only things that have changed are: I changed the DI resin with the resin from bulk reef supply. I also changed out the GFO and tried the new premium ROX carbon from the same. The tank sits about 5 or 6 feet from a window but the blinds are basically drawn shut and it also has thick curtains on either side. The tank sits in the same room as the cat litter boxes but I don't think that would be causing it now. Thanks!!!

 

any new rock or sand added? anthing that would throw it into a mini cycle

 

No new rock or sand.