Black Blanketing Algae

[Briol]

Soooooo... I have a black blanketing algae growing in my tank. Sometimes it can seem red or purple. My biggest concern is that it tends to coat live coral. Needless to say the coral is unhappy with it and I try to peel it off. I take a pipet and suck up as much as possible. I have also reduced the length the lights are on. Any suggestions?

[Sir Patrick]

Sounds like cyano bacteria.

[Briol]

Ah. Yep that's it. Thank you! Now I can research better.

[binford4000]

Soooooo... I have a black blanketing algae growing in my tank. Sometimes it can seem red or purple. My biggest concern is that it tends to coat live coral. Needless to say the coral is unhappy with it and I try to peel it off. I take a pipet and suck up as much as possible. I have also reduced the length the lights are on. Any suggestions?

First get a good water test! When cyano gets that bad you have some water issues. Second get yourself a porcupine urchin. He will chow down on it and won't spread it like you will by trying to manually remove it. This will clean it up and give you time to figure why it happens

[Briol]

First get a good water test! When cyano gets that bad you have some water issues. Second get yourself a porcupine urchin. He will chow down on it and won't spread it like you will by trying to manually remove it. This will clean it up and give you time to figure why it happens

Thank you for the advice! I am worried that my tank will not have enough space for an urchin though...it is a 29 gallon and I already have a sand sifting star. I also have a valentini puffer. Do you think the urchin would still be fine in my tank?

I will be getting my water tested at the local fish store in a couple days...all of my tests are reading within normal parameters. A double check will let me know if I need any different testing kits.

[binford4000]

If you get as all tuxedo you should be fine