Rust Colored Algae

I have rust colored algae on a single rock and one powerhead, the rock is in direct flow, 4" from the powerhead. Would diatoms grow in a high flow area ? 125 gallon tank 6 weeks old, RO/DI water from new unit, running GAC/GFO, ammonia - 0, nitrite - 0, nitrates 0-5 ppm. Tried to grow Chaeto in fuge before livestock was added, died out in 10 days from lack of nitrates IMO. Livestock is 2 chromis, diamond goby, pistol shrimp, CUC is 3 red hermits, 5 turbos, 10 cerith, 10 nass snails. I can add a picture when I get home tonight. Will turbos eat the rusty stuff ? They did great on a single rock that was coverd in GHA.

 

Not sure what it is but I get it on the circulation pumps' snail guard. I think the turbos might on the rock. I think you will need to clean the PH yourself.

 

does it look like snot with bubbles coming up out of it or is it more flat with some bubbles at the surface? Pictures would help a lot to see if it is just algea or if it is something worse like dino.

I have a feeling that if the tank is only 6 weeks old then it is just algea...end of the cycle. Try decreasing the time the lights are on (lights will feed the algea) also try to decrease your feeding down also

 

No air bubbles or snot look. Looks like powdered rust on the PH, a liitle hairy on the rock. Looks like it could be very invasive if given an opportunity. I'll get a couple pictures up tonight, 11 hour days at work make for short evenings. Thanks for the input.

 

Sounds like diatom algae to me. When I first started my tank, I even had it in the power head nozzle. I added some astraea snails and they ate quite a bit of it. The rest disappeared by itself after the tank was completely cycled.

 

My snails haven't found this particular rock yet. I'll drop a couple on it tonight !

 

Diatoms ?

 

No worries on that. The CUC will take care of whats on the rock and as for the powerhead it should go away in a few weeks. Thats the usual when starting a new tank.