Is this Cyanobacteria?

[jbrock183]

Is the red and green algae on the back of my tank Cyanobacteria?

 

[Subsea]

It may be. Have you tried wiping it off? Is it a film?

 

[jbrock183]

It may be. Have you tried wiping it off? Is it a film?

I’m able to wipe it off but it keeps coming back.

 

[malacoda]

Looks like film algae to me.

Depending on the maturity of your tank and your nutrient levels, film algae will appear and need to be cleaned every 1- 4 days.

Also looks like there are some old coraline spots on the back glass as well.

Cyano usually grows on the sand bed and rocks rather than on glass walls. They're too smooth for it to hold on to.

 

[Subsea]

I’m able to wipe it off but it keeps coming back.

Does it not grow on front glass?

 

[jbrock183]

Looks like film algae to me.

Depending on the maturity of your tank and your nutrient levels, film algae will appear and need to be cleaned every 1- 4 days.

Also looks like there are some old coraline spots on the back glass as well.

Cyano usually grows on the sand bed and rocks rather than on glass walls. They're too smooth for it to hold on to.

Is this something that will continue to come back or willl it go away after a few cleanings?

 

[jbrock183]

Is there a chance this is coraline?

 

[Tahoe61]

Is there a chance this is coraline?

Very unlikely. The tank is too new.

 

[malacoda]

Is this something that will continue to come back or willl it go away after a few cleanings?

It continues to come back. Cleaning with an algae scraper ... such as a Mag Float or Flipper ... is part of routine maintenance every 2-4 days.

 

[malacoda]

Very unlikely. The tank is too new.

Click on the pic to enlarge it, and take a closer look at the spots on the back glass ... AND the purple spots on the pump...

They are clearly coraline. Old dead deposits on the glass. And living, active deposits on the pump.

My guess is the OP bought a used setup and put the tank and equipment back into use without cleaning the old coraline off.

 

[Tahoe61]

Click on the pic to enlarge it, and take a closer look at the spots on the back glass ... AND the purple spots on the pump...

They are clearly coraline. Old dead deposits on the glass. And living, active deposits on the pump.

My guess is the OP bought a used setup and put the tank and equipment back into use without cleaning the old coraline off.

Yup you are right.

 

[jbrock183]

Does it not grow on front glass?

No. It only grows on the back glass.

 

[jbrock183]

No. It only grows on the back glass.

Why?

 

[exnisstech]

Stop cleaning the back glass, problem solved The only time I've ever cleaned a back glass is to clear a spot to attach a powerhead. My herbivores spend a good part of the day feeding off the back glass.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is the red and green algae on the back of my tank Cyanobacteria?

This is early stage of coralline formation. With calcium at proper levels, it will harden and color continuously