|
|
FAQs about Blue-Green Algae Identification
Related Articles:
Blue-Green "Algae"/(Cyanobacteria), Embracing
Biodiversity, Green Algae By Mark E. Evans,
Green Algae, Green Algae 2, Avoiding
Algae Problems in Marine System,
Algae Control,
Marine Maintenance, Nutrient
Control and Export, Marine Scavengers,
Snails,
Hermit Crabs,
Mithrax/Emerald Green Crabs, Sea Urchins,
Blennies, Algae Filters,
Ctenochaetus/Bristle Mouth Tangs,
Zebrasoma/Sailfin Tangs, Skimmers,
Skimmer Selection, Marine Algae,
Coralline Algae, Green Algae,
Brown Algae, Diatoms,
Brown Algae, Related FAQs:
Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Green
Macro-Algae ID 1, Caulerpas,
Green Macro-Algae 1, Green Macro-Algae
2, Green Macro-Algae 3,
Green Macro-Algae 4, Chlorophyte
Behavior, Chlorophyte
Compatibility/Control, Chlorophyte
Selection, Chlorophyte Systems,
Chlorophyte Nutrition, Chlorophyte
Disease, Chlorophyte
Reproduction/Propagation, Marine
Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2,
Marine Algae Control FAQs II,
Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient
Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters,
Culturing Macro-Algae;
Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae,
Brown/Diatom Algae, | 
Cyanobacteria "come" as slimes,
free-floating unicellular and colonial forms, and attached
varieties... In red, blue, black and green colours
|
|
Turf, alg. ID, control
10/8/09
Hi, I am fairly adept at reef keeping and know what causes algae and the
various remedies for that problem, however, my 55 gal. has developed
what I believe is Turf algae. I don't over feed and have a phosphate
reactor. This just recently seemed to appear coinciding with adding
Oyster feast for my LPS. Here is a pic of what I have and any
suggestions on eradicating it are appreciated.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj46/unclejed_bucket/55galbright024.jpg
<Ummm, need more information to give a more specific response... but,
this looks like it could be a Cyanobacteria/BGA... rather than a "green"
(Chlorophyte) "turf algae"... Read through here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files embedded and above... for ideas on what you might
do, the sorts of data we're looking for. Bob Fenner>
|
 |
|
re: Turf ... read please
10/9/09
Hi Bob, your response puzzled me. The pic is real clear showing short,
bristle like hair that can not be scrubbed off, I have tried. With all
due respect, I know what Cyano bacteria is and this is not.
<Mmm... I assure you, I "took" three college courses in Phycology (gen.,
culture and seminar)... and have done a bunch of algae articles,
presentations... NOT to mention who knows how many hours fighting
Thallophytes and the Monerans that are BGA over the years... There ARE
blue-greens that indeed look just like this... The only way to discern
the various Divisions (eq. to animal Phyla) is via microscopic
examination... and to lesser extents, storage food and other
analyses...>
You say you need more info but didn't say what info. If you tell me what
you want to know I will send it along......Thanks
<... Do please peruse where you were referred to. B>
|
Cyano/slime?, 9/24/09
Good morning ladies and gentlemen!
<Hello!>
Thank you for taking the time to provide such a wonderful site, you've
been absolutely invaluable to so many. Dare I say, you've been my rock.
<Don't get between us and our hard place.>
Yea, I could go into so many cheesy puns, but... Well, anyway.
<Hee Hee>
Just had a quick question about slime algae, I'm not finding much about
it on the site, other than people confusing BGA for it.
<Very well could be, not all Cyano/BGA is actually blue-green, often
more red or purple.>
Some of the top rocks in my 30gal have started to produce some blotches
of very dark maroon 'algae' (?)
<Could still be Cyano, or Dinoflagellate/Diatoms.>
As I've been battling Cyano for a couple of months after a move I notice
quite a big difference in the color and behavior of the dark stuff. My
Cyano will wane at night and it's real easy to pick off and clear out
during water changes, the other stuff however doesn't wane and is very
stubborn about coming off the rock, it's not 'crusty' per se, so I don't
think it's coraline, the only other thing I could come up with is slime
algae. I would be happy to send a picture if you need it.
<Might help.>
If this is what I propose, is it bad? It's not overtaking the tank or
anything, and honestly I kinda like the way it looks. Where can I find
more info on this particular issue?
<Depends on what it is, "slime algae" usually refers to Cyanobacteria,
but could be something else.>
Thanks again so much!
<Welcome>
Jéan Dodes
<Chris>
|
Algae confirmation and pics
Blue/Green Algae 8/5/09
Howdy gang!
<Hello, Josh here.>
I actually did some research before sending this but am looking for
confirmation.
<Good.>
This stuff, which is what I assume to be BGA/Cyano, has recently popped
up.
I had been battling a massive GHA outbreak that I finally got under
control with a GFO/GAC reactor and RODI filter changes. That was about 2
months ago.
Over the last 2-3 weeks this stuff showed up.
<I think you got your identification dead on. I imagine you already read
this page, but for reference:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm, I would recommend continuing
the same path you used to rid yourself of green hair algae, but
supplement that with removal and manual destruction of the blue green
algae colony.>
Thanks for looking and hopefully the pics will help.
Robb in Austin
<You're welcome,
Josh Solomon temporarily in SoCal.>
|
 |
Algae ID: BGA\Cyano 4/20/2009
<Hi Penny>
Tank is 90 gallons (30g sump, no refugium)
Nitrate0, Nitrite0, Phosphate0,ph8 night time-8.25 daytime,
Ammonia0, Calcium 420ish
I have two bags of Chemi pure elite along with two Phosban reactors,
(one has Phosban, one carbon)
Bubbleking 180 skimmer, 2xVortech MP40's for movement set on reef
crest (stronger flow)
<OK>
My tank is about 3 months along now, 100+lbs LR, and I have noticed
a slimy dark film on my sand (not super dark), some might not see it
but I do. (like diatoms but slimier) It's darker at night and
lightens
during the day but is a visible slime none the less. And in the
evening bubbles form on it, more bubbles at night then during the
day. It is a definite brown color though. I siphoned it all out and
cleaned the substrate and put it back in but I see it forming again
now.
<Blue-Green Algae>
At first I wondered if it was the Coral FrenzY I was using (not
lots, maybe four times total in the last month but twice in the last
week), I only have soft corals and was told that they don't need a
product like coral frenzy so I have stopped using it. I have started
feeding very very lightly, poor fishies. But it still seems to be
coming back. I am buffering my Alk to about 10 from 7 (Seachem's
Reef Buffer), which also raises pH up which I hear is good for
algae, I dose at night when pH is low.
But to be truthful I have no clue as to what kind of algae or bloom
is happening. I don't want to just treat with something, guessing. I
am doing all I can, I do 16gallon water changes once a week. I can
up them if need be. The algae (or whatever it is) doesn't seem to be
"wild" or out of control. It spreads mostly in the front of the
aquarium in the open. I can see it mostly (darkest) around the open
brain and plate coral, like a brown border. It isn't on any of the
LR. Is this part of a growing phase of my tank?
<Not uncommon, but not desirable either.>
Or am I doomed? My levels seem good to me but I want to nip this in
the bud, is it one of those things that once it starts it's hard to
stop?
<It will take some work, but not insurmountable.>
Or is there hope? Please say there is hope.
<There is hope.>
I am very sorry for the long winded email but I wanted to explain it
as thoroughly as possible. Listing tank readings etc. I am not sure
what to do, I want to catch it early if it's something bad. I hope
this explanation helps. I searched through your website (holy crap!)
and couldn't find something similar, all I read was bubbles on the
sandbed are bad. So I am hoping for the best.
<What you have is Blue-Green Algae (Even if it is not blue-green in
color)
Not at all uncommon in new systems. It is a 'pest' algae that you
will want to keep under control. You can read more about it and how
to control it here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bgafaqs.htm >
Thanks very much
<My pleasure.>
Penny
<Mike>
Re: Algae ID: BGA\Cyano 4/20/2009
Ok (crap).
<Hehehe Fighting a minor outbreak myself, I understand the sentiment
>
I have a good skimmer, good flow, carbon etc.
<Which is good, as I said, it is not at all uncommon in "new"
systems>
So basically light feedings and siphon up the infected sandbed and
wash it in FW and replace?
<I would just try to siphon the algae up, but this would work as
well.>
Should I increase my water changes from once a week to 2 or 3 times?
<10 - 15% once a week is standard. You can do smaller, more frequent
changes for the time being.>
I have a UV, I hope that might help. I always turkey baster the LR
before siphoning for the WC.
<Very good.>
How often do tangs need food? I have a yellow tang, Foxface and
hippo tang. I want to feed less but have read tangs need constant
grazing.
Two light feedings a day?
<They are constant grazers, two light feedings per day plus some
green or red algae for them to munch on For my tang, I add a strip
of sushi Nori i the morning, and remove it in the afternoon.>
Sorry to be a pain.
<Not at all.>
Thanks.
<My pleasure>
Penny
<Mike>
Black Filamentous "What" 01/31/09
Greetings from a
relative newcomer to the field. I have been watching this "thing" on
what I believe to be a Platygyra. It is black, and getting "longer"
all the time. Very filamentous and feathery in nature. There are now
what appear to be "air bubbles" appearing within the structure
itself....two or three closest to the coral itself, and two
individual "bubbles" equally spaced between there and where the
structure becomes mostly filament. At present it is approximately 4
to 4.5 inches long and appears to be "growing".
<It's a kind of
Cyanobacteria. In my experience, the type that grows like this (dark
and stringy) is a real pain in the fins! I'd immediately check your
parameters, do a water change, etc.>
The operative questions are:
any idea what it is and if so, is it desirable, undesirable, or just
"there".
<In my experience, in small amounts it's ok. But it can
quickly grow to be a total nightmare.>
Thanks in advance.
Bob
Wright
<Best,
Sara M.>
Thanks |
 |
Slime Algae 1/18/09
Hello, I have spent hours reading on
your website it is great.
<Awesome.>
I have a 55gal garden reef ,
10gal refugium, cpr wet/dry with built in skimmer. The uv sterilizer and
carbon only once or twice a month. For lighting I run a 8 bulb 432watt
t5 light for 8 hours a day 2 hours of actinic before and after the 8
hour period. My water parameters seem to be right ph 8.3 calcium 400,
magnesium 1300, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia and phosphate all at 0. I
have been having a problem with some type of slime covering everything,
I have scrubbed it off several times. I have three 400gph Hydor Koralia
for water movement with 500gph return pump. My sand bed is only about
2-3 inches deep and gets stirred up by my clownfish a lot I was thinking
maybe this was causing the problem but I wanted to ask the pros.
<Crud on the sandbed is indicative of other issues, but for what it is
worth this really should be increased to 4-5” for a true DSB or reduced
to 1” or less for cleaning. The middle ground tends to accumulate
detritus and nutrients without any benefit.>
I have 5 SPS's, frog
spawn, elephant ear mushroom, brain coral, crocea clam and several
trumpet corals. My refugia has Caulerpa and Halimeda plant in it. I have
a sebae clownfish, tomini tang and a damsel. I do 5 gal water changes
every week. Sometimes when the sand gets stirred up I can see black
spots in it when you stir the black spot up its like dust. I have
included a photo of the slime.
<BGA.>
I appreciate you taking the
time to read this and any suggestions on what to do to get rid of this
or maybe just what it is would be great.
<The fueling factors are
introduced somewhere, either feeding or source water. Your levels test
OK because they are being consumed as produced. Do see
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the linked files above.
All the solutions to your issue are held there within.>
Thanks for
the help and such a great website Dan |
[1]%20slime%20alg.JPG) |
|
Identification - Red Algae of sorts... reading 12/14/08
I'll try to identify the best I can without pictures.
<In this day
and age... better to send images along>
I have what appears to be a
red algae, not like the Cyanobacteria that I have been reading about.
This specimen has not been spreading to my gravel at all, but rather on
top of many of my rocks and growing almost like it is in shelves.
<Oh?>
It has been spreading rather quickly. I have removed it once
from all of the rocks, and when it comes off it comes in chunks and then
leaves a lighter color underneath. I removed most of it and changed
water, and cleaned filters, but it has come right back. I'm having a
difficult time getting control over it as I don't know exactly what I'm
dealing with. Any help you can give is most appreciated. Please keep up
the good work!
Thank you,
Sean
<Please peruse here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/marinvind1.htm
the files linked at top...
Algae Identification... and the links you lead yourself to in turn.
Enjoy the learning, tool. Bob Fenner>
Re: Identification - Red Algae of sorts 12/14/08
Thank you
for the reference. I actually went through that page prior to emailing
you and couldn't find an image that resembled what I thought I had. I'm
attaching some photos this round so hopefully you'll be able to help me
correctly identify what I have so that I can treat it accordingly. Thank
you for the resources that you have created!
<Ahh, and thank you for
sending along the attached pix. This is assuredly Cyanobacteria... Blue
Green "Algae"... there are a few approaches to its control... Please
read starting here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm
and as
much of the linked FAQs files above as you require to familiarize
yourself with your options...
Cheers, Bob Fenner> |
 |
Identification 10/15/08
I am trying to find out if this
pinkish/red stuff is a type of algae or a sponge & how to get rid of it.
It started on my egg crate & is moving to my frags.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/DSCF6506.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/DSCF6505.jpg
Thanks,
Susan
<Looks like a form of BGA. Read here for
information on ridding yourself of this stuff:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm. Welcome, Scott V.> |
BGA... RMF|
Re: Identification 10/16/08
Thank you for replying.
<My pleasure.>
It is not Cyano. It is about the color of
coralline algae.
<I still do believe Cyano to be the ID, the
color is just in the name; comes in many forms.>
This is what
it looks like dry.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/IMG_0351.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/IMG_0352.jpg
This is what it looks like right after pulling it off. I don't
have large amounts since I took everything out & scrubbed it off
the egg crate & picked
it off the corals Sat. night. It is
already starting to grow back.
<Indicative of BGA.>
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/IMG_0353.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t135/BibleSue/IMG_0346.jpg
<A “quick” jaunt through the Marine Algae ID FAQ pages (there
are 25 of them!) will show you similar forms of BGA. A
microscope of moderate power will tell you for sure, the BGA
will lack discernable nuclei. Anyway, the eradication plan is
the same either way. Scott V.> | 
BGA... |
|
Algae ID 7/5/08
(2 photos attached)
Hey gang. I trust
you all had a good 4th (assuming you celebrated it).
<Ah, no...
not really. Not into this type of rah rah so-called patriotism. A
real patriot would be out doing what they could to bring about the
overthrow of the current regimes at the fed., some State levels.>
I'm sorry to bother you kind folks again, but I'm having trouble
identifying some type of brown algae that has taken a foothold in my
tank. Here are the tank spec's: 65 gallon tank, ~70 pounds of live
rock, 20 gallon sump and 6XT5 lighting. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
all 0, specific gravity 1.025. Top off done daily with 0 TDS RO/DI
water and 10% water changes every weekend (is it Saturday
already?!). It also enjoys candlelit dinners and long walks on the
beach. Wait, that's a different questionnaire. Never mind.......
Anyway, I'm sure just as the same with all algae's, excess nutrients
are feeding it, but I have yet to find this type on your website.
I'm sure it's there somewhere, but I've looked over countless pages
the past week and haven't found a photo that resembles it.
Any
thoughts?
Thanks for your time.
-wuf
<Very likely this
mulm is mostly a BGA... If you look under a scope of moderate power
you'll be able to see... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/bgaidfaqs.htm
and the linked files above.
Bob Fenner> |  
Re: Algae ID 7/6/08
Thanks for the response Mr. Fenner.
<Welcome... wuf!>
I don't think this is BGA (Cyanobacteria).
It doesn't come off the rock easily at all, and isn't THAT fast
of a grower.
<Mmm, neither of which are salient
characteristics...>
Attached is a link to an animated gif
that shows 8 weeks of growth on a frag, and you can see the
algae starting to grow during that 8 week period.
http://samwolfe.com/photos/acro.gif
<Interesting>
Sorry to
be a bother.
-wuf
<Not a bother. Do know that it is
impossible to ID Thallophytes, Cyanophytes by simple
macro-viewing... Again, a simple look/see will reveal whether
much of this life lacks nuclei... a definitive difference twixt.
Please do read where you were referred to. BobF>
|
Diatom Bloom... BGA
3/20/08
Hi Crew,
<Hello there.>
I seek your advice once
again. Recently I've experienced what appears to be a diatom/Cyano
bloom.
<It is what it appears to be.>
I have a 90 FOWLR. The
recent change I've made was switching from 110W PC's to the Nova
Extreme Pro T5 HO (324W). I'd like to start introducing polyps,
xenia, etc to start into the reefkeeping life.
<Great!>
I
started seeing this bloom around the time of this lighting switch,
but I'm not sure this is the root cause based on the readings, which
indicate I should be looking for issues with water parameters and
nutrient export.
<Exactly, while the lighting has spurred the
growth, there are underlying causes that need to be addressed.>
I've tested Phosphate (0), Silicate (0), Nitrate (.25), and pH
(8.2-8.3 with lights on). I'm using Salifert test kits, so I believe
these are reliable numbers.
<Yes, these test kits are good. Do
be aware these numbers can be deceiving, nitrate and phosphate can
be used up as they are produced, allowing BGA growth and yet still
yielding low numbers when you test. The proof is in how the tank
looks.>
I employ an AquaC Urchin skimmer, a 3gal refugium w/ a
DSB and Chaetomorpha (which is growing and being trimmed), and 30%
water changes every other week. I've attached a few pics of the sand
as well as the growth on the rocks. With a diatom/Cyano, I was
expecting to see this develop in more stagnant areas, but the pics
are where my powerheads are hitting the rocks pretty much head on
and is where the growth is thriving.
<They idea behind not
allowing stagnate areas is to keep detritus in suspension to be
exported via your filtration (mechanical/skimmer) or processed by
live rock and its inhabitants. The nutrients that cause the outbreak
will be spread throughout the tank, causing growth all over. It
merely originates from the stagnant areas more than others.>
I'm
a bit confused on this and I'm wondering if this is really a
Cyano/diatom issue or something else.
<Nothing else, BGA it is.>
You're help would be greatly appreciated, especially if I need to be
testing or looking for something else. Thanks again
<Welcome, a
link with related FAQ’s to help you learn how to control this
outbreak. Good luck, Scott V.>
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm |  
|
Red Algae Control, Input From A Querier 1/27/08
I noticed this
picture on page four of your algae ID section:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Algae%20and%20Plt%20Pix/BlueGreenAlgae/redstuff.JPG
Mr. Fenner identified it as red slime but it looks like red hair algae
to me, a different beast. There is a large thread over on ReefCentral
about
this particular algae, "Red Nightmare Algae" or something like
that. The biological control listed in that thread is "true Mexican
Turbos" and they work very well and are quite efficient. No other snail
seems to eat this stuff. I would advise anyone dealing with this algae
not to load up too many of the large Turbos as they are quite efficient.
Five in my 75 totally eliminated this algae (except in deep crevices) in
a few days. I would hate for someone to put 20 snails in their tank and
starve them.
<Good advice.>
It seems this algae doesn't need much
in the way of nutrients to survive and grows equally well under high
lights and low lights. It has even taken to growing in my macro algae
(which is not currently growing very fast).
I hope you find this
information useful. Thank you for the service you provide.
<Thank
you for sharing. James (Salty Dog)><<Is this yet a Cyanobacterial
species? Likely so. RMF>>
Red Slime Algae?? 12/26/07
You guys are awesome and I greatly
appreciate everything you are doing to help me! You are so quick on
your responses as well! Thank you.
<Happy to help.>
I'm not
sure if I have red slime algae or not. I just started my 55
saltwater tank almost 2 weeks ago. I have a 55 high tank. Wet/dry
system with bioballs. Protein skimmer, (2) 96 watt aquarium lights.
One I believe is 10,000 actinic. The other is a growth light.
Pinkish color. I bought the set up used. The guy will not help me
too much. As you can tell I am new to saltwater. Experienced
freshwater. My ammonia is 0. Nitrites 0. ph was 7.7. I added a ph up
and now it's 8.0.
<Start with some water changes, your ph is
still on the low side. Water changes with a good quality salt will
remedy this. Also do invest in a carbonate hardness test kit if you
haven’t already.>
My temp is 78. I bought 20 lbs. of Fiji "cured"
live rock. I know I need a lot more. I am starting slow and working
up to 60-90 lbs. I don't want to shock my tank or lose a lot of
money all at once.
<Very difficult to kill off live rock. It
will be easier on your end to get your rock now and cure together.
Even cured rock will likely go through a curing process once moved
and placed in your tank.>
I picked a few pieces that looked very
pretty because it had a lot of purple and red coralline growth on
them. That's what the LFS told me it was. Now I am hearing more
about this red slime algae. My rock has red colored growth on it!
<Not necessarily BGA (red slime) just because its red.>
It's a
dark burgundy. Included is a pic of the main rock.
<Appears to
have some BGA.>
There are a few others with the same stuff on it.
Just not as much. It had this on it when I bought it. If it is Red
Slime, wouldn't they treat that and not sell it?
<Not always.>
I just added 6 snails, and 3 very small hermit crabs because I am
going through the brown algae cycle. (that's what they told me).
<Same cause and problem. The cleanup crew will be of little help,
you need to treat the source of the nutrients fueling it. I suspect
a new tank with curing rock, needing water changes.>
They also
told me to keep my lights on 12 hours a day due to the live rock. It
was just today that I added the snails and crabs. It was after the
fact that I started seeing pics of the red slime. I have no fish or
inverts yet. Just the snails and crabs.
Please tell me if I
should be worried.
<No, this is normal growing pains of a new
tank. It won’t hurt anything you have except the aesthetics of the
tank.>
I am already sick to my stomach and so scared to add any
fish.
<I wouldn’t until you have all the rock you want, unless
you plan to cure any additional rock outside your tank.>
Thank
you VERY MUCH for all of your help!
Raesunrae
<You are very
welcome. Sleep easy and read the following links and related FAQ’s
regarding your situation, Scott V.>
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/marphalk.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i3/Live_Rock/live_rock.htm | 
Oh yeah!
|
Red Fuzzy Coralline? …Not likely, perhaps another Rhodophyta –
08/26/07
Hello crew!
<Hi Dave, Mich here.>
I have been
researching your site and others trying to figure out what is
growing in my 90-gallon reef.
<OK.>
I have a red
feathery/fuzzy substance growing on a lot of my rocks, snails and
hermit shells.
<OK.>
I was wondering if it was a type of
coralline and harmless in my tank.
<Only guessing without a
pic.>
I am very familiar with cyano and I don't think this
substance is it.
<OK, One of many possibilities off the table.>
It is very difficult to scrub off, and grows in high flow areas
unlike cyano.
<Still leaves a plethora of possibilities.>
I
read a similar query asked by another gentleman on your site. The
reply to him was that it was coralline, and that he should drop some
vinegar on it to see if it bubbled to be sure that it was. I tried
this experiment on my substance and it did not bubble.
<Then it
is likely not coralline or any other calcium based organism.>
The
other gentleman described it very well, in my opinion, by saying it
appears to look like patches of red mold.
<Many nuisance algae
come to mind, red turf algae or red hair algae such as Polysiphonia,
Asparagopsis, Anotrichum barbatum, Gelidium pusillus, or perhaps a
beneficial organism such as a red tree Foram (Homotrema rubrum)
Your expertise would be greatly appreciated.
<A photo might help
here.>
Thank you all for this amazing site!
<Thank you for
your kind words!>
Dave
Kansas City, MO.
<Mich
Gouldsboro, PA.>
Re: Red Fuzzy Coralline? …Not likely, perhaps another Rhodophyta...
BGA 8/28/07
Mich,
<Hi there Dave.>
Thank
you, for your quick and very helpful response!
<Welcome!>
I
have been researching your suggested algae species and I am
continuing to have problems identifying which is growing in my tank.
<Yes, does not look like what I was picturing in my head with out
the photos.>
I hope that they attached picture of the red
substance growing on my glass magnet might help you take a better
guess at what it is.
<Mmm, pics are helpful. Is not a red tree
Foram and likely not many of the algae I suggested previously, is a
nuisance alga, likely a Rhodophyte, but beyond that I can't tell.
Perhaps RMF will comment on the dailies page.>
<<Is highly likely
Cyanobacteria... a quick look under a few hundred power microscope
would show the absence of nuclei, organelles, the distinctive
circular DNA if higher powered... Please read on WWM re BGA... RMF>>
This is the way it appears everywhere in my tank, (rock, hermit
shells, powerheads) short, red, and fuzzy.
<No fun. Perhaps some
improvements in husbandry would help?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/marineMaint.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm >
Thank you
for your time,
<Welcome, wish I could be more helpful. Mich>
Dave
Mmm, think I forgot to move an image into the emails with
images folder... re: fw: re: Red Fuzzy Coralline? atten: Mich
<No
worries... was there somewhere. Found, posted>
Also He stated
earlier: It is very difficult to scrub off, and grows in high flow
areas unlike cyano.
<Is almost assuredly BGA... B> |  |
Cyanobacteria... specifically? 7/6/07
Anyone know specifically
which species/genera of Cyanobacteria we see in our aquariums?
<There
are at least dozens...>
Are they any of the same ones scientists are
studying to figure out what causes the conversion of reef communities
from coral- to algal-dominated (i.e. the Tolypothrix sp., Schizothrix
sp., Lyngbya sp., etc.)?
Thanks,
Sara
<At least the two genera
are found at times. Re: studies on the issue you state, I know naught.
However, a visit to a large library with computer search capabilities
should reveal such if so in a short while. Bob Fenner> |
|
