Purple velvet algae

[ShockSniper]

i've been getting a purple looking algae almost looks velvet like. I've cut my feeding back but can't seem to get rid of it. I've noticed that in the morning after the lights have been off that it has receded or gone away completely. It is on rock and sand. What is it? What can I do to get rid of this stuff? Please help.

[ShockSniper]

if that's it how can i get rid of it. I have the lights off right now

[ShockSniper]

Just did some read and sounds like I have to increase flow cut back food and maybe even keep the light off for a few day. If I do keep the light off will that hurt my corals. Also a water change wouldn't hurt. Any other advice?

[dputt88]

dont bother keeping the lights off. just increase flow, decrease feeding and do a water change.

[ReefTech]

just try to increase the flow in the areas where you notice the algae growing and cut back on the food or the number of feedings you do in a week. plus if you do a water change try and suck as much of it out of the tank as possible.make sure to keep an eye on your water parameters to make sure they check out as well. you could try these ideas out for a week or two and see if you notice any changes and if not then you could also reduce the hours that you run your lights or reduce your lighting while you try out the other ideas. these methods should help get rid of it, for me, whenever ive seen it in my tank its always been a matter of changing up the flow.

[ShockSniper]

just try to increase the flow in the areas where you notice the algae growing and cut back on the food or the number of feedings you do in a week. plus if you do a water change try and suck as much of it out of the tank as possible.make sure to keep an eye on your water parameters to make sure they check out as well. you could try these ideas out for a week or two and see if you notice any changes and if not then you could also reduce the hours that you run your lights or reduce your lighting while you try out the other ideas. these methods should help get rid of it, for me, whenever ive seen it in my tank its always been a matter of changing up the flow.

Great. Thank you for the info

[ReefTech]

No problem, let us know how it goes.

[pinhigh1886]

What type of water are you using for water changes? RO/DI? Do you have a TDS meter? Do you run GFO or Phosgaurd?

[ShockSniper]

just try to increase the flow in the areas where you notice the algae growing and cut back on the food or the number of feedings you do in a week. plus if you do a water change try and suck as much of it out of the tank as possible.make sure to keep an eye on your water parameters to make sure they check out as well. you could try these ideas out for a week or two and see if you notice any changes and if not then you could also reduce the hours that you run your lights or reduce your lighting while you try out the other ideas. these methods should help get rid of it, for me, whenever ive seen it in my tank its always been a matter of changing up the flow.


What type of water are you using for water changes? RO/DI? Do you have a TDS meter? Do you run GFO or Phosgaurd?

I make my own RO water and I currently do not run gfo or phosguard. I am in the process of starting up a 210 tank and I have purchased two 550 phosban reactors. Also no to the Tds meter.

[pinhigh1886]

Do you make RO or RO/DI? If your RO has any TDS it will just feed the algae when you do water changes. I agree with remove as much as possible by hand or turkey baster. Then change water with RO/DI no TDS. May have to buy it from LFS. I did that for awhile before I bought a 5 stage RO/DI unit from Bulk Reef Supply. I had a vacation mishap where a huge amount of food fell in my tank. I had Cyano everywhere. GFO, water changes RO/DI, and hand removal and it was all gone in 2 weeks. What type of filter do you run? Do you have a refugium?

[ShockSniper]

Do you make RO or RO/DI? If your RO has any TDS it will just feed the algae when you do water changes. I agree with remove as much as possible by hand or turkey baster. Then change water with RO/DI no TDS. May have to buy it from LFS. I did that for awhile before I bought a 5 stage RO/DI unit from Bulk Reef Supply. I had a vacation mishap where a huge amount of food fell in my tank. I had Cyano everywhere. GFO, water changes RO/DI, and hand removal and it was all gone in 2 weeks. What type of filter do you run? Do you have a refugium?

I do have a 5 stage RO/DI unit guess I didn't say that. I have a 36" sump with a refugium. And I run a reef octopus skimmer. I will be upgrading everything when I get the 210 going.