Algae diatoms or something else?

I have been reading up on here can't decide what it is.
To me it looks like red spots growing on glass.
Trying a few pics maybe someone can help me?

 

Its a little tough to be sure from the pictures but it looks like a mix of diatoms and green spot algae.

Is the tank planted? If so what type of lights and ferts are you using? Knowing the start date of the tank as well as the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate levels would also be useful.

-Bass master

 

Which tank? It does look like diatoms to me. They can take on any number of shades of brown.

 

55 gallon tank started about 1988
ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 40 don't have phosphate level
dual tube fluorescent light no ferts
can't seem to get a good picture of it
starts out as small red dots then grows till it covers everything
scrapes off hard with razor blade will try to get better picture
started a few years ago maybe came in on a plant?

 

That is most definitely not diatoms. I will need to do some research.

How old are your lights?

 

lights are new just upgraded from single tube to double

 

here are a few more pics
maybe they are better and will help

 

I've come across Red Algae. Often a problem with harder, more alkaline water is a cause. High nitrates another common cause. Also said can get in your tank with an infected plant.

Best I've got, good luck.

 

55 gallon tank started about 1988
ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 40 don't have phosphate level
dual tube fluorescent light no ferts
can't seem to get a good picture of it
starts out as small red dots then grows till it covers everything
scrapes off hard with razor blade will try to get better picture
started a few years ago maybe came in on a plant?

1988? Wow.... talk about a mature tank!

 

What ferts do you use? After researching, it appears that Red Spot Algae is typically caused by an imbalance in micro nutrients, specifically iron. Also, is common in low CO2 tanks.

This form of algae is always brought into a tank with infected plants.

Another suggestion I read was that high nitrates or high levels of detritus can trigger its growth.

With this information, I would think doing daily water changes with deep gravel vacs in the open areas would clean up your tank and reduce the nitrates. And, work on balancing the ferts and CO2, should help to completely eliminate this algae form.

I would be very interested in hearing what helps as I'd like to add this algae form to the resource thread I started. At the very least, link it to this thread.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

thanks eveyone for the advice
I do have hard alkaline water
do not use ferts
never tested my water until this year
will try water changes and check my nitrates and let you know how it works