Algae help needed

[Llorgon]

Currently battling a algae outbreak. Not sure if it's Dino's, calothrix or something else.

My params are

Temp: 80
Salinity: 1.026
pH: 8.3
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphates: 0
Alkalinity: 8.2
Calcium: 440
Magnesium: 1410

I have a protein skimmer running, chaeto in the sump with a light that comes on opposite to the display tank lights, feed once a day 1/4 cube of mysis or some pellets.

I have increased flow and skimming. Also added a filter sock and blowing off rocks/sand daily. Haven't made any progress on it so far.

How can I beat this?!

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[DKoKoMan]

I don’t think your nitrate and phosphates are truly at zero “0”. If this was the case algae wouldn’t stand a chance and your chaeto would essentially die off. Do you have any photos of the tank in it’s current state?

[ReefMadness]

Originally Posted by DKoKoMan

I don’t think your nitrate and phosphates are truly at zero “0”. If this was the case algae wouldn’t stand a chance and your chaeto would essentially die off. Do you have any photos of the tank in it’s current state?

agreed. the true ppm of your phosphate and nitrates are trapped within the algae which is quickly consuming what is available to them.
this is a common issue with new setups that lack the biological balance and stability you get a couple of years in. a lot of headway can be made by manually removing as much algae as you can prior to water changes and then sticking to your low input of nutrients. be aware that it isn't going to happen quickly so settle in and keep dedicated to the effort but also watch your coral as underfeeding the system has its own negative results.

[Llorgon]

And here are the photos I forgot to post last night.







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[WarDog]

How old is the tank?

[Llorgon]

It's been running since June. So not that old.

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[DKoKoMan]

Looks like a brown cyano bacteria. Your tank is very new and will most likely battle through these stages.

[Llorgon]

I think it's partially cyano and also dinoflagellates. I brought some to j&l and I was told definitely dinoflagellates...

So I am trying 3 day blackout to see if that helps at all.

Also bought some pods since I was reading they can help out by eating it as well.

The dinoflagellates would explain some snail losses I have been experiencing lately.

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[DKoKoMan]

It definitely could be dino’s as well. This is common when nutrients are out of whack and a newly cycled tank. You can try a blackout although I personally think it will just be one of those things you have to ride out. Your tank just needs the time to balance out.

[Llorgon]

I suspect you are right, but I figured trying the blackout for a few days can't hurt. Maybe it will help a little bit.

I was also told Dino's like clean water so I am going to try and bring nitrates up a bit.