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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 15

Related Articles: 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, Blue-Green "Algae"/(Cyanobacteria)Diatoms, Brown Algae

Related FAQs: FAQ ID Visual Guide, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae ID 3, Marine Algae ID 4, Marine Algae ID 5, Marine Algae ID 6Marine Algae ID 7, Marine Algae ID 8, Marine Algae ID 9, Marine Algae ID 10, Marine Algae ID 11, Marine Algae ID 12, Marine Algae ID 13, Marine Algae ID 14, Marine Algae ID 16, Marine Algae ID 17, Marine Algae ID 18, Marine Algae ID 19, Marine Algae ID 20, Marine Algae ID 21, Marine Algae ID 22, Marine Algae ID 23, Marine Algae ID 24, Marine Algae ID, 25, SW Algae ID 26, SW Algae ID 27, SW Algae ID 29, SW Algae ID 30, SW Algae ID 31, SW Algae ID 32SW Algae ID 33SW Algae ID 34SW Algae ID 35SW Algae ID 36SW Algae ID 37SW Algae ID 38SW Algae ID 39& Marine Algae Control FAQs 2, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae   

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Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Spreading red bubble algae! At my wits end!   4/15/07 I am currently struggling with red bubble algae in my 14 gallon BioCube. My tank is 6 1/2 months old. I have been battling this red bubble algae for the last two months. It is spreading and getting worse, as you will see in the attached photos. <Can see this... does look like a Botryocladia infestation... of epic proportions> It started off with what looked like red/burgundy or even blood spattered looking stuff over the top of one of my rocks. Then it turned into red bubbles. Hard, solid bubbles. Now it has spread to the next rock. I was told not to pop any of the bubbles because it will release spores into my tank and cause it to spread more. I was told not to remove the rocks and scrub it off and then rinse and return the rock to my tank because it will continue to come back. I was told that putting a small Foxface in my tank will take care of the problem, <Mmm, not likely> but as soon as I took the Foxface out after it ate all the bubble algae, it would come right back. I cannot even think about this option because my tank is too small for a Foxface, and I already have 3 small fish in my tank that I am quite attached to. I was then told that my only option would be to totally tear my tank down; siphon all water, remove the sand, rocks, etc... and start all over again with everything new, after scrubbing my tank and equipment clean. Is this the only way to get rid of the red bubble algae? <Mmm, no... there are a few other approaches worth considering> I am very frustrated with it at this point and it breaks my heart if I have to start all over again. What do I do with my current tank inhabitants and corals? <Mmm, depends...> My tank inhabitants are a percula, sixline wrasse, midas blenny, fire shrimp, 10 tiny blue legged hermits, pom pom crab, 4 Astrea snails, 2 Nassarius snails, and electric blue legged hermit crab. Coral-wise, I have a pagoda cup, star polyps, button polyps/zoos, mushrooms, finger leather, xenia and Octobubble coral. What causes this bubble algae <Like crimes... access, motive...> and if I have to break everything down and start all over again, how do I make sure that it doesn't come back? Also, how harmful is it if "nothing" is done? <Might cause a collapse... cascade event if something becomes rate limiting...> I do 20% water changes every other Saturday using Nutri-Seawater, I top off using RO/DI water. My parameters have all been consistent for the last 4 months. Temp: 80.9, Ammonia: 0, PH: 8.2, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: 0, Calcium: 450, Salinity: 0.126.  I feed my fish twice a day during the week with frozen brine, mysis, emerald entree, marine cuisine, (mixing it up from day to day) and on the weekends, I just feed once a day. I have my lights on a timer; actinics on from 7am-6pm, regular lights on from 8am-5pm, and then the moonlights on from 6pm-7am. Is there anything that I can do/try before having to tear down my whole tank? <All sorts...> I was told to send you an e-mail because if anyone would be able to properly advise me and help, it would be you. I am looking forward to your response. Thanks, Kim   P.S. The first pic shows what the bubble algae looked like 2 months ago, the second and third, from 1 month ago, and then the rest are from today. <Mmm, there are a few places I would read before settling on a course of trials, changes here... http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php and: http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgcompfaqs.htm and the linked files above, where you lead yourself... A multiple "front" approach is advised... nutrient limitation, macrophyte competition... perhaps adding a purposeful refugium, DSB... Bob Fenner>

Macroalgae?  Looks to be.    -- 4/10/07 Anyone know what the heck this is?  It's in our 30 gallon QT (currently propagating hair algae) ;-) <Heeeeheee!!!  I guess so!!! There are two colonies, this one is the size of a nickel and rubbery to touch. <I suspect it is an alga of some sort.  I'm not sure too much beyond that.  It is very pretty and the color is striking.  Keep growing it and share it!  There are types of Coralline algae that grow in this petal like formation, some even look like flowers! http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallinealg.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm You've got quite a beauty!  Any comment from RMF?> Thanks Again,
<Welcome!  -Mich>
Jim

Worm Identification  Algae ID: Neomeris, Red Slime and NNR  4/10/07 Hi, again!~   <Hi Vicki, Mich with you again!> I have a new one for you!   <Alrighty!> This time I have a picture~   <YAY!!!!> I am sorely disappointed in my |Nano Cube.... <Quite small.> We have been in ALGAE BLOOM since setting it up in January....Will it ever end? <A challenge with such a small system.  More info below.> I am attaching two photos of our tank...one with a close up of the "finger" I am trying to identify, <Your "finger" is an alga, commonly called a Fuzzy Tip Algae (Neomeris sp.) If you like it, keep it.  Nothing to be concerned about.  Enjoy it!  More here:   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm > and the other is one of what I have been told is red slime....It is UGLY... <Yes it is ugly and it can be a big headache!> what are these things and what can we do to get our tank in good condition? <Something in the way of NNR (Natural Nitrate Reduction) would help.  More here:  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm and related links in blue.> Vicki
<Cheers!  -Mich>

Cyano or Algae?  4/8/07 Hi Crew, <Tom> Our 135G reef has some sort of pink algae bloom going on for the past 2-3 weeks, and after reading through the FAQs and pictures I'm still not sure what it is.  Does this look like Cyano? <Likely so... or a filamentous Red...> It's not slimy, it's sort of like cotton and holds together well. This bloom first started about a week after removing all the fish from this tank due to a Crypt outbreak. <Mmm, more evidence that this is likely BGA> May have had some overfeeding going on for a couple of weeks prior to the bloom due to repeatedly baiting the fish traps, but nothing the shrimp and snails didn't clean up.  The inverts seem healthy and the corals, including several Acropora colonies, are still in fine health with normal polyp extension. We have a 1" aragonite sand bed.  Also a 35G sump with a 15G Chaeto fuge section, EV-180 skimmer, Phosban reactor. Good water circulation in the display using three Mak4 pumps (two 1" SeaSwirls and a chiller return), actual flow in the display through these three outputs is a good 3000 GPH. Water: Temperature 81-82F; SpGr 1.026; pH 8.3; dKH 9.9; Ca 355; NH3/4, NO2, NO3 all 0; Mg 1260; PO4 0. This tank is fairly new but the contents of this tank (live rock, water, livestock) were moved from a 3 year old, 110G reef about 4 months ago.  I did add about 30lbs new live rock about 6-7 weeks ago...it seemed to be well cured/aged at the LFS, but now I'm not so sure. <Could be...> That's all the relevant information I can think of.  Would appreciate any thoughts on what this stuff is, and what else I can do to get rid of it. I'd like to avoid disturbing the corals by removing rocks for scrubbing, unless it's necessary. Attachments are sized to 253K and 276K, hope that's not too big. Thanks, Tom <Well... likely will just "go" with time, your listed gear, maintenance... I might try the "Kalk" trick, elevating pH with same for a short while... but otherwise would take a/the long-haul view here in terms of control. Much re this posted... on WWM. Bob Fenner>

Invader   - 4/7/07 <Hi Bob, Mich here.> My reef tank, already overrun by Aiptasia I have been ineffective at combating, is now invaded by this aggressive purple-pink fuzzy (I guess) algae.   <You guessed correctly.> Can you ID it for me, <Does look like Red Hair algae (Asparagopsis) in the sporophyte stage.> and hopefully give me a clue as to how to fight it?   <ID the source of your excess nutrients to treat the cause.  Band-Aids might include a Diadema urchin,  sea slugs such as Aplysia and Hermaea, and manual removal...oh, so much fun!>   As annoying as it is, I thought it would be the oft mentioned "hair algae", but it doesn't look like the pictures of that I found. <Exactly the same, but different.> All water parameters I can measure are pristine, <Mmm, doubtful, as you described you tank.  Specific are helpful, generalities not so much.> the animal load is low and all healthy (1 yellow tang, 1 mandarin, 2 clowns, 1 small chromis,1 cleaner shrimp) in a 90 DSB show with 55-gallon downstream DSB refugium, and I feed sparsely in an attempt to combat the Aiptasia.   <You are light on livestock.  Something is amiss.  Are you using RO/DI water?> 432W of T-5 lighting 12 hours a day (actinic only for 2 of those hours).  Downstream fuge is lit 20 hours and has Chaeto in it but that is reducing rapidly, possibly due to low nutrient load.   <Your lighting period on the refugium is too long, 12 hours would be better.> I can give you more specs if it helps.   <Nitrates? Phosphates?> Your help, as always, is deeply appreciated by me and all those you provide guidance to. <Thank you for the kind words.> Picture attached.   <Got it!> Thanks again!
Bob Lee
Re: Invader  - 04/07/07 I certainly understand your skepticism; I have to believe there is a nutrient based cause too.  But, here are readings from today: Salifert PH: 8.3-8.4 Salifert Ammonia: <0.025 <Is this the lowest possible reading?> Salifert Nitrite: 0 Salifert Nitrate: 0 Red Sea Alk: Normal Nutrafin (Hagen) PO4 Mixed Water: 0 Nutrafin (Hagen) PO4 Tank Water: 0 Salinity 1.022 Temp 79.8 <Thank you for the data.  It is helpful.  It is possible that the algae may be using all the available nutrients and may account for the zero readings.  I still suspect some kind of excess nutrient is at work here.>   I have a 90G show tank spilling over through a custom acrylic top to a full-flow 55G refugium with a DSB in the center section.  There is a DSB in the show too, with around 50 LB of live rock (last LR added around a 10 months ago).  I have a Red Sea Prizm Pro skimmer (yeah I know it isn't the best but it is removing gunk as long as I stay on top of it).   <Stay on top of it!> Water change and top off water is filtered with a GE Merlin RO system and put through a DI cartridge too.  TDS meter on the DI cartridge is happy so far.  I would be happy to check ANYTHING else I can to resolve this issue! <More info here and related links in blue:   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm  > <Welcome... -Mich>
Bob Lee

Mmm, looks like a BGA to RMF

Unidentified Algae/Sponge on Live Rock   3/31/07 First, let me say thank you to the team for making this a wonderful resource for people interested in this hobby.   <Thank you.  Brandon here tonight.> It has helped me (and stopped the panic) many times of the last 4-5 years and I recommend it to all I know interested in this hobby. <Good to know, and again thank you.> Now to the question, I have a marine tank which I started about 3 years ago, FOWLR, 110gal, marine tank. About 9 months ago I noticed that some of the rocks appeared fuzzy and upon intense gazing noticed this stringy growth, (same color as the actual rock) on some of the rockwork.  After researching on the web for hours and hours I could not find a picture that helped to identify it and clear up the mystery.  It has spread over much of the rockwork now, and is somewhat unsightly. <I am seeing what looks to be Coralline algae, and Green Algae, and A LOT of detritus.  You should consider increasing the flow in your tank.  I am willing to bet that if you just wave your hand over the rock work this 'algae' will come off.> During this time, I did have a nitrate surge, which has since been rectified, but even though the growth has slowed, I cannot seem to eradicate it.   <If this was algae, I would say that the NO3 surge fed it, but I think that it is just detritus.> I have tried brushing it off, which has resulted in additional spreading over time.   <Looks like wasted food, and well waste..> I also use RO, water and change regularly.  I can attest water parameters are all within range <This tells us nothing.  You need to send numbers with your queries.> and have been for at least 6 months (since the nitrate issue). Salinity .20, <This is kind of low, but with fish only, semi-acceptable.> temp 76 degrees.  The residents don't eat it and are otherwise unaffected by it, which has lead me to believe this is not a filamentous algae.  Residents include a Sailfin Tang, Dusty Wrasse, Clownfish, Damsel and a Niger Trigger.  Any assistance in identification or eradication would be wonderful. Pic attached, notice the edges of the rock, I tried to do my best with the camera work. <See above Re: detritus.  Consider increasing your flow rate, and this should help keep these particles suspended long enough for the filter that you have to suck them up.> Thanks again,
<You are Mike

Black Slime/Cyano 3/19/07 Hey Crew, <Hello> Hope you all are doing great. <Good as possible on a Monday.> I am requesting your help with an issue I know very little about.  I actually have never seen this before. <Let's see if I can help.> I provide maintenance for a fish only system that I am migrating to a reef.  However, before doing this I would like to figure out how to remove this black slime that keeps growing all over the rocks and sand. I've attached pics of it. The tank is a 55 Gal FOWLR. It has a working CoraLife skimmer, and plain fluorescent lighting.  Parameters are all good.  I've tried siphoning out the black sludge but it just keeps coming back.  I don't know how to get rid of it.   Your help will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, David <Looks like Cyano to me.  Fueled by high nutrients and phosphate mostly.  Best bet is to try to eliminate the fuel by frequent water changes and manual removal (siphoning).  Increasing water movement will help some too. Please see here for more details.   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm .> <Chris>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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