red algae?

[Christine]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium that has been up and running for about a month now."
Recently some kind of red algae has started growing on the sand and is spreading to the rocks. How do I get rid of it and keep it from coming back?

 

[bjohanson1234]

It looks like diatoms from that picture. They feed on silicates in the water. To get rid of them, they will die out once they consume all the silicates. If you are using tap water, then you are constantly feeding them. You should be using RO/DI water.

 

[Christine]

Thanks! Am I gonna have to scrub it off the rocks and vacuum the sand or will it "go away" on it's own...

 

[bjohanson1234]

If it is diatons, it will go away on its own if more silicates aren't added from your water supply.

In new tanks there tends to be a cycle of different types of algae.

 

[Bifferwine]

Diatoms are normal in a new tank. They are ugly, but won't harm anything. They will go away on their own as long as you are keeping up your water quality with RODI water.

 

[Christine]

Thanks, guys! So far everything is going good otherwise :)