Help, Algae outbreak

[ttran1999]

Don't know what it is but my tank is growing algae like crazy. The temperature in my tank is 80-82 degree. I have green algae, burgandy color algae, pink color algae, brown algae and etc. Are these bad algae?
55gl tnk
40 lb lr
1 scooter blenny
2 peppermint shrimps
1 Cleaner shrimp
1 Scarlet shrimp
5 small hermit crabs
3 Feather Duster

 

[oregonbud]

Pink and green are good - they are likely coralline algea - I know on my LR the areas that are covered with algea turned a lime green color right before they went to a dark purple color.
As far as red and brown goes - it could be nuisance algea or not - how long has your tank been up for? Does any of it look like hair or a slime on the bed of the tank?
The brown good simply be a diatom bloom - what type of water are you using when you do top offs and water changes?

 

[ttran1999]

My tank has been setup for a good 3 months now. I don't see any hair but I do see lots of purple algae and lime green algae on top of the sands and rocks. the algae are like in sheets. I can basically pull it off of the rocks without it being shredded into pieces. Should I pull it all out or should I get a Lawnmower to do the work? I'm starting to see (I believe) mushrooms growing from live rocks and lots of little pink thingy that looks like feather duster. What is that??
I'm using tap water but 'm about to get a R/O.

 

[jrein40806]

I'm using tap water but 'm about to get a R/O.>>
There's part of the problem. Go to Wal-Mart and buy their distilled water. It comes in gallon jugs with a purple label and a purple cap. No need to add anything . Just add it to your tank. I think I paid 58 cents/gal the other day.

 

[oregonbud]

The purple and lime green are good - at least that is everything I have been told - it is coralline algea and since it is growing it indicates a pretty healthy system.
As JRein said - tap water is more then likely the cause of your brown algea (I had similar problems when I first started this hobby) easily solved, use bottled r/o d/i water. If you don't have a walmart most grocery stores sell it - 59-99 cents/g

 

[ttran1999]

Thank you for your input. I want to do the right thing and not killing any of living things in my tank.

 

[ntvflgirl]

Wait, wait, wait!
Corraline algae is hard. Cyanobacteria can come in any color from green to red to brown. Does it move around? Does it go away and come back? Aim a powerhead at it, and see if it goes away. There are lots of reasons for cyano/red slime algae. Do a search and see what you come up with. Check you phosphates as well. Algae thrives on phosphates. Don't assume it's corraline at this point.

 

[jrein40806]

Don't assume it's corraline at this point.>>
Good point. How about taking a picture? Somebody on here will know what it is. Or if there is a rock that is close to the top covered in the stuff,take it out, wrap it in damp newspaper,put it in a cooler and take it to your lfs. They will tell you what you have growing.