I have had this brown algae on the sand bed for months now (at least 5 months I would say). I am wondering if anyone can help identify what it is? My PO4 is 0.02 (Hannah ULR), but my nitrate test kit is expired. I know my next step should be to get a nitrate kit, but just wondering if I should pick up anything else while I order. I have tried a large bottle of Vibrant, which did nothing for the brown algae and caused some green cyano and killed my chaeto. There is not really any other algae in the tank, aside from on the glass, which seems to come back very quickly. I am running GFO and skimming pretty heavily, but no more cheato. I was feeding very heavily for a while, but have since cut back over the last couple months, with some larger water changes. My nitrate when I was feeding more was 12-20ish (Nyos).
The algae stays on the sand for the most part and does not really look like dinos (no strings). It is a brown/rust colour. It has some bubbles in it, but only in the lower flow areas and if I leave it for a few days without disrupting it. It somewhat dissipates at night, but still lots on the sand. I have been reading about diatoms, different types of cyano, or dinos, but am at a loss. I did a three day blackout which helped, but it came back within a few days.
My next step is to buy a new nitrate test kit and maybe try some chemi clean. Anything else you would recommend for the time being?
Thanks!
The algae stays on the sand for the most part and does not really look like dinos (no strings). It is a brown/rust colour. It has some bubbles in it, but only in the lower flow areas and if I leave it for a few days without disrupting it. It somewhat dissipates at night, but still lots on the sand. I have been reading about diatoms, different types of cyano, or dinos, but am at a loss. I did a three day blackout which helped, but it came back within a few days.
My next step is to buy a new nitrate test kit and maybe try some chemi clean. Anything else you would recommend for the time being?
Thanks!