Algae all over my tank!

[rort]

So i need some help with what looks like to me an algae outbreak all over my tank. Yesturday the tank was crystal clear, and the rocks looked fine, and today after getting back from lunch I see my tank covered with a red/orange algae all over the rocks and starting on the sand.
any ideas what this is and how to get rid of it?
here is the info!
150g with 40g sump
pH 8.3
Amm. 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
SG 1.020
Stock list
- 2 Firefish
- 2 clown percs
- foxface
- midas blenny
- Small Porc Puffer
- small cleaning crew of Cleaner shrimp, pep shrimp, some turbos, nassarius, and hermits
here are some pics... Lowest ones are ones of the sump! That is where I believe it started.

 

[9supratt4]

Maybe it's some kind of cyano?? Not too sure. But one thing I can tell you is that your SG is low.

 

[stanlalee]

looks like diatoms. what do you have for husbandry as far as filtration and whats your water change pattern? How old is the tank? Lights and light schedule? Doesn't appear to be a very serious outbreak at this point.

 

[rort]

I keep the SG low ecause I have found for it to keep nitrates lower.
I use chaeto, and LR and LS in my fuge.
The tank has been setup for about 2 months but a lot of the fish and LR came from a 6 month 55g.

 

[prime311]

2 months only then I'd agree with diatoms. If you start see bubbles showing on top of it then its cyano.

 

[nycbob]

i'd say its part of the cycle of a tank. over time, it will go away.

 

[fau8]

agree that the salinity is too low, also you should check your phosphate levels if they are under .3 it is most likely diatoms.

 

[rort]

So if it is diatoms then what is the best way to get rid of them??

 

[scopus tang]

Best remedy for diatoms is time, and making sure you are using RO or RO/DI water for water changes. Once the diatom blooms uses up the available silica in the system, it will begin to fade out; however, if you replace your water with tap water rather than RO or RO/DI you keep adding silica.

 

[shaunalynna]

I agree that it is part of your tank breaking equipment and things in. I have seen this happen to others and that usually was the issue. Over time I am thinking it will go away.

 

[rort]

Sweet! I am actually happy that this is a normal thing. I came home to my tank like this and got pretty freaked out!
I guess the shocking thing is that it really came out of no where!
Thank you to those who have helped in defining what exactly was going on in my tank!

 

[dmyers557]

You have alot of things in there for 2 months old. I believe its just a part of the break in. Good luck with it.

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2739862
Best remedy for diatoms is time, and making sure you are using RO or RO/DI water for water changes. Once the diatom blooms uses up the available silica in the system, it will begin to fade out; however, if you replace your water with tap water rather than RO or RO/DI you keep adding silica.
do u mean silicates??
The diatoms are fluent to new tanks, this is an indicator that your ecosystem is finding equillibrium to the new organic waste being excreted by the newly increased bioload..

 

[bizzmoneyb]

yea def looks like diatoms to me.. not cyano. the cyano ive experienced is more red and furry looking.
and id definitely bring that salinity up quite a bit.