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Related FAQs: Marine Macro-Algae,
Algae Can Be Your Friend,
Related Articles: Avoiding
Algae Problems in Marine Systems, Coralline Algae, Green Algae,
Caulerpas, Coralline Marine Algae,
Red Algae in General, Brown Algae, Blue-Green
"Algae"/(Cyanobacteria), Diatoms, Phytoplankton,
To Pest
Algae/Control , Algae Filters Articles, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine
Algae ID 2, Marine Algae Control FAQs II,
Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient
Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing
Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano,
Red/Encrusting Algae, Green
Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae,
/A Diversity of
Aquatic Life
Algae Can Be Your
Friend, Pt. 1
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By Bob Fenner |
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To Part 2
Of all the topics asked of us on our websites, hobby venues and retail stores
“maintenance” has got to be the biggest category. Algae in pest proportions
in particular, is likely the number one cause of aquarist attrition. Not the
livestock losing their lives; aquarists leaving the hobby!
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Is such strong emotion as fear or enmity deserving of such simple
life? Are algae problems inevitable? Are they to be avoided, fought at all
costs? The answer to all is a resounding no! With some care in setting up
an aquatic system, regular maintenance, and especially, a bit of
understanding about what algae are and how they make their lives in our
tanks, you can make your peace with these organisms. |
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Algae: What Are They?
The most rudimentary algae are actually more closely related to
bacteria (phylum Monera) than anything else. These Blue-Green Algae, aka
Cyanobacteria share genetic, ultrastructural and metabolic features with
microbes, being classed with the other algae on the basis of gross appearance
and being photosynthetic.
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The “true” algae are a part of the Protists
(phylum Protista), not the “higher” real plants (phylum Metaphyta).
Unlike metaphytans, algae lack vascular structures (xylem, phloem),
leaves, roots… and are hence called thallophytes (subphylum Thallophyta)
meaning “all about the same plant body” in reference to their lack of
more specialized cells. Example: a vascular plant, Avicena, one of the
Mangrove Trees, with true leaves, roots and a Brown Kelp whose cells all
“do” photosynthesis, distribution, storage of foods, gasses… |
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Algal Groups: Divisions
As with all fields of endeavor, discussion of the algae involves its own
set of arcane terminology. Micro- versus Macro- for instance is entirely a
matter of subjective (human) appreciation. Micro-algae are so small that the
human eye can’t make out a cell that exists alone. Some groups of algae like
Diatoms and Dinoflagellates are entirely micro-algae, whereas some of the Greens
are Micro- and others Macro-algae. The larger “Kelps” are Red and Brown
algae species and are very “Macro”.
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Phycologists (a largely U.S. term for folks who study algae
scientifically) or Algologists classify the larger categories (termed
Divisions, approximately the same taxonomic ranking as Phylum in Zoology)
of algae by their photosynthetic pigment types, storage foods, locomotory
structures and the make-up of cell walls.
Example, encrusting Micro- green and hundred plus foot stands of
the Brown Kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. |
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| Apparent color of algae can be deceiving (example: three
views of Blue-Green Algae growths in aquariums appearing very different).
The actual color of an algae depends on prevalent storage foods and
photosynthetic pigments… can/does vary with growing circumstances,
age… Microscopic examination can easily determine an algae to at least
the Division rank. |
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As previously stated, the Blue-Green Algae are more
closely related to Bacteria than the other, “true” Algae. As monerans
they lack definitive nuclei, plasmids like chloroplasts, double-layered
cell walls. Most appear black to bluish in color (though there are red,
tan and other colors), and almost invariably are slippery, slimy to the
touch.
The good news for aquarists is that BGA are out-competed easily in
well set-up and maintained systems. Their presence almost spells trouble
in “balance” of a system… a lack of circulation, aeration, too much
nutrient, something missing in the way of competing photosynthetic life… |
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| These are unicellular life forms that have two
flagella (one mid-body, the other whipping around from their top) that are
utilized for locomotion. The group includes the causative organisms for
fresh and marine Velvet or Rust disease of fishes, as well as the at-times
toxic Red Tide conditions found in the seas of the world from time to
time. |
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| These are the brownish scums, smears on the surface of the
gravel, rock of many, especially new aquariums. On close inspection, you
can make out individual cells or colonies that look like little boxes.
These holey shells are used as diatomaceous earth in swimming pools, spas,
even some types of aquarium filters due to the insoluble nature of their
make-up (silicate) and porosity. |
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| Marine species that include the largest kelps, encrusting
forms, scroll like and leafy varieties. Some can be kept in captivity with
attention to iodide supplementation and awareness of the types thermal,
current needs. Examples as
shown. |
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The most successful group of thallophytes on the basis of
distribution, depth, bio-mass. Some Reds live below 100 meters in depth
due to their range of photosynthetic pigments. Aquarists are familiar with
the encrusting Red Algae called Corallines; there are some like the genus Porolithon
that are important for actually building and holding the world’s
tropical reefs together. Other Reds play roles in human health (Gelidium
alginates make petri plate culture possible) and manufacturing (as
emulsifiers, stabilizers). Some are useful as human and fish food |
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| The most desirable group of algae to aquarists for their
beauty, diversity, functionality… due to the habitats they occupy in the
wild, hardiness in collection, shipping, adaptation to vacillating captive
conditions. |
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| Some types are “bad” on the basis of their rapid growth,
displacement of other species, lack of attractive properties. |
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| Given water, light, nutrients… the allowance of other
life, algae of different kinds is a foregone conclusion. Spores make their
way into systems via the air, gear, recruited substrates, other livestock
additions. You’re going to have them whether you’d like to or not…
What is up to you is how much of what types and where… along with the
mental adjustment on your part that “cleanliness” is not sterility.
There are still folks who bleach ornaments, wipe/scrub all down, even
stoop to chemical algicides to keep their tanks “clean”… a foolish,
counterproductive notion. |
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| 1) Optimize and stabilize a captive aquatic system,
utilizing/bio-accumulating wastes, nutrients, fixing them into useful
formats. |
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| Act as bio-indicators, living test kits
constantly monitoring water quality. For instance, no matter what your
colorimetric assays tell you, believe the algae if there is not enough
calcium, alkalinity for their use. |
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To Part 2 | |
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