The Green Blob, SW alg. ID  -02/25/08
Hello,
<Hi, SH, Mike I with you today>
I saw the most disgusting looking thing in my aquarium a few days ago. I had taken a few pieces of rock out of my aquarium to rearrange them. On one I saw something I have no idea how to do a search for, so hope you can help.
<Fingers crossed!>
It was round in shape, approximately 1 inch wide. It was a deep green color. The color was so deep green, it look greenish-black. There was two smaller ones beside it, so assume it was spreading.(?)
I plucked the largest off, to get a better look. As I was rubbing it in my fingers to test texture, it burst, and squirted fluid all over my non-aquarium loving husband. I will refrain from repeating his words at that. <grin>
<I thank you for the sake of the innocent ears on WWM!>
The membrane remained in my hands. I took off my gloves then, so I could fell the membrane better, and it was rather tough. I then removed the two smallest blobs, and took out all of my rock to check them. That was not any fun! Especially working with my husband who complained the whole time.
Anyway a long story short. I have no pics. I burst them too soon. There are no more in the tank, so far.
I once posted stock, but forgot one. So, in a 75g I have 1 Brittle Star, 1 False Percula, 1 Cowry, 3 large Turbo Snails. A few Astrea, and Nassarius Snails, a couple of Hermit Crabs, 2 smalls frags. So, my tank has a very light bio-load. After a year in this hobby, no one can claim I jumped in too fast. I have a Euro-Reef skimmer, and I use socks as well.
Do you have any ideas what the round, dark green, fluid filled things were?
I thank you, SH
<Well, they sound like the could be Valonia, a green algae. A search using that name will bring you lots of information but to start you off, there's a few pictures and questions here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgfaqs2.htm If that's not the culprit, then next time take a pic, or you could try a more detailed description. Hope that helps. Mike I>

Re: The Green Blob.. ie, Algae ID   2/27/08
Mike, You are an absolute genius!
<I told BobF so!><<Heeee! We'll double all's pay... RMF>>
It is Valonia. Thank you for ID'ing that for me, so now I can do my research. SH
<Thanks for the thanks, SH. You're most welcome. Mike I>

Algae ID 2/4/08
 Hi,
 <Hello Chris>
 It's been a long time since I've had to ask any questions, but I'm stuck (again) with an algae problem. I must admit, that I've let slip my upkeep of my reef tank, but even so, it's state is not that critical. I do however have a strange algae that I am not able to identify. I was always convinced that it was Bryopsis, as nothing touched it, not a snail, a fish.....nothing! Even though my test kits say zero for Nitrates and Phosphates (I run RO water, carbon and phosphate absorber all the time) I still get this one type of algae to grow. I did a massive cleaning last night, so I forgot to take a photo, but I'll try and explain the algae. The color is dark green, and grows as short 1 inch long spikes forming a brush. In fact, if one moves, it has a silvery sheen to it. The algae grows in small clumps, is fairly hard or rigid, and can be removed fairly easily from the rocks. My thoughts are that it might also be Cladophora, but I don't know. What algae are you aware of that are short, hard, hard and form small tufts?
 <I'm betting that this is Bryopsis pennata. See/read here. http://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/invasive_algae/chloro/bryopsis_pennata.htm James
 (Salty Dog)>
 Cheers
 Chris

Chaetomorpha Identification   9/11/07 
Hi team,
<Hi Dave, Mich here.>
I'm in the process of installing a 200l sump/refugium to support my 700l display tank. I live in New Zealand, which doesn't allow for the import of any foreign vegetation.
<Ahh, yes, and similar issues with livestock in Australia as well I am learning.>
I would like to harvest Chaetomorpha in the refugium.
<A good decision I think.>
This macro algae grows freely throughout shore areas of NZ and so I thought I'd don my boots and visit a non-reserve area and bring home a fistful in a plastic bag.
<Sounds good as long as it's legal.>
I've seen many pictures on-line but have never seen the algae first hand as it were. The LFS's don't stock such stuff and nor does any of the on-line communities that I've made enquiries with. So my question is how can I make a positive ID on any algae that I collect?
<Most all that I have ever seen is kind of distinctive in look and in texture. It typically looks and feels a little like a Brillo pad. You can see a picture I took of some in my tank here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm
I'm not sure the number of species but presumably there could be variations. You can always take a picture and send it in. Someone, will gladly give you an opinion!>
Thanks in advance
<Welcome! Mich>
Dave

Chaetomorpha 12/15/06
I have two different types of Chaetomorpha growing in my 29-gallon refugium:
1.  The first type is the typical "spaghetti algae" pictured on most websites.  It is very curly, and not too dense, much like a Brillo pad for cleaning dishes.  The individual strands are quite thick, and it grows in a ball which sits low in the water (barely any of it floats above the water, and if you take it out of water, it collapses and lays flat).
2. The other type is very dense and the strands are much finer & straighter.  It grows in a floating mat, maybe 2.5" thick.  This type floats higher in the water, and some of it grows straight up like grass.
New growth projects straight out of the mat in all directions, about 1/2" long.  The new growth on the top side of the mat is out of the water, and looks like grass.  If you take it one out of water, it retains it's shape.  The LFS where I got it tells me this Chaeto grows just as well in freshwater as saltwater.  They have it growing in both types of water at the store, and have switched it back and forth with good results.
Is the second type really Chaetomorpha?  I can't find any pictures on the web that look like it.
<Your second type may be Cladophora, can't say for sure without a pic.
It may also be Gracilaria, again, need a pic.>
Is it okay to have both growing in the same refugium, or will they compete with each other resulting in reduced growth?  Should I get rid of the second type?
<Chaeto does thrive on nitrogen and phosphorous and if the food supply dwindles, so will the Chaeto. Having the two types together should pose no problems. It is best to thin out on a regular basis.
If the outer edges begin turning brown, it is a sign that the needed nutrients are absent or your lighting is insufficient for growth.>
Thank you,
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Steve in Denver