Re: Red/purple patch cementing sand together... 7/5/05
Thanks Mr. Fenner!
I didn't think about BGA because of the pretty pink-purple color...
<Yes... if it were solid... likely coralline, and/or a precipitating incident with mineral, alkalinity...>
If I vacuum the invaded sand, is there something I can do to treat it
naturally and put it back in the tank (like boiling it 10 minutes maybe?) ?
Dominique
<Ah, no... read my friend. Bob Fenner>

Algae in Fuge... fighting BGA mixed in with Algae
My refugium is being taken over by that red cotton candy algae, due to a bag of Chaeto I got from a friend. The Chaeto had some of this algae in it, unknown to me until it was too late. Lesson learned.
<Yes>
Now the red stuff is totally interwoven within the strands of the Chaeto in my refugium. Since I am not sure whether or not this algae can go sexual and spread into my main tank, I took my refugium off line tonight, removed all of the Chaeto and as much of the red cotton candy as possible. Then I introduced 10 Mexican turbo snails to finish the job. I have a Magnum 350 canister filter running carbon and Polyfilter to provide water quality for the snails and pods and worms in the sand. My refugium is a 55 gallon tank with a 6 inch sandbed and maybe 20 pounds of live rock. There are no fish in it, just snails, pods, worms, mini stars, etc. After the red cotton candy algae is gone I will drain the refugium down to the sand and replace 100% of the water above the sand.
<Okay...>
Question 1: Is the Magnum canister filter, along with the sandbed and live rock enough to keep the water quality ok ?
<Likely so>
Question 2: Should I keep the lights off to stave off the growth of the cotton candy algae, or do I need to keep the lights on for some reason?
<Not enough reason to leave on>
Question 3: What else have I forgotten to do?
<Perhaps to consider that this "stuff" is actually a Cyanobacteria... not likely to be consumed by the snails... more easily defeated over time through competition, conditions that favor Thallophytes. Bob Fenner> 
 

Growth pics of BGA Bob, <Dan> Sending the pics to your hotmail account as the WWM address doesn't seem to be accepting my e-mail with the pics. First 2 files are reference shots and the last file is about 60X.  Thanks again Bob, Danny <Well done. Does appear to be a thallophyte... and with lack of observable nuclei... a Moneran... A Cyanobacteria... A blue-green algae (yes, though it appears red). The strange bit, as I recall... is that you mentioned this material did not feel slimy to the touch. Usually is. Do take a look over WWM re this group, their control in aquariums... Once it gets going it can be a royal pain to eradicate... thus I encourage you to consider removing the worst coated rock, leaving it in a dark container for weeks to aid in its kill-off. Bob Fenner> RE: growth pics Wow, bummer! I had a feeling you were going to say that! But yes, it does NOT feel slimy at all, more like terrycloth. Strange....growth pattern, feel, and placement all indicate sponge, but biologically looks like Cyanobacteria........ I guess I'll pull one out that is easy to get to and try scrubbing it down and keeping it in the dark for a few months in salt water as a control test. If that doesn't work, maybe I need to start fresh (not looking forward to that!) <Yikes, can imagine. Anima bona fac (be of good life), BobF>

Leafy Red Macroalgae Mystery
Hi Crew!
<Hello, MikeB here.>
I want to thank you for having such an excellent web site. You have really helped me. I have a 90 g FOWLR tank with 50 lbs of Florida aquacultured rock, a Tidepool 2 Wet/Dry Filter, and 80 w fluorescent bulbs which run 12 hrs/day. My water parameters are specific gravity 1.023, pH 8.3, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10, temp 78 F. One week ago I woke up to find what I think is a form of red macroalgae. It only appeared on the part of the LR that was the closest to the light. It has not spread. I sometimes will find a leaf on my filter. They appear to be single leaves that are definitely red. I have sent you a picture. Is this a "nuisance algae"? I cannot find anything similar on your website. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
Thank you for all your help.
Sharon
<Sharon, I am sorry but was unable to see the picture that was attached. In my experience if I didn't know what was growing in my tank and I was unsure about it. I ALWAYS removed it. If it is a nuisance algae getting it early is the best solution. If it not. Your fish might find it a tasty meal. A leafy algae is generally not a problem but there are some forms of Caulerpa that have caused hobbyists problems. I hope this helps. MikeB.> 
 

BGA again hello: <Hi there> I have a question, I tried to find in your web but I can not get the information I want. My tank has run for 2 months and it has one kind of algae growth on my live rock (red film like) and I can not figure out what it is. can you help me to id it and tell me if it is benefit or not, personally, I think is not good and do you have any suggestion on how to deal with or what kind of animal eat it. thank you. <This is Cyanobacteria, aka Blue Green Algae: Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm  and the linked files (in blue, above). Bob Fenner>

Unidentified Algae Can you please identify this algae. <Yes> It is growing in tuff like balls and is brown in color. It can be seen in a larger amount in one photo (with snail) and as small turf balls near coral frags in the other two pics which are attached. <Nice pix> Should this be a concern to me?  Will it eventually over take corals? If so, what is the best way to eradicate it?   <Mmm, could be a continuing, worsening problem...> 6 month old 75 gallon reef with 20 gallon fuge. Nitrate and Phosphate levels are 0. High Calcium and Alk. <Numbers please, not subjective evaluations> Lots of circulation, (2) 175 watt 10,000K metal halides and (2) 48" VHO actinic. AquaC protein EV 180 protein skimmer.  Only problem besides this one is Cyano in fuge (not in main tank).  I also plan on installing a redesigned fuge soon.  Would you advise not transferring the mud/sand bed and Macro to the new fuge due to the Cyano or would I be better off keeping the critters and sandbed intact? Thank you very much. Paul Maresca <Paul, this is also Blue Green Algae/Cyano... Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the links (in blue, above). Bob Fenner>

Grey Cyanobacteria... not likely I have not read anything much about Cyano algae that is grey.   Sometimes very dark almost black.  I have many tanks.  Only two have  been giving me this problem.  It starts as a light carpet and if left for a  week or two will create long streamers of black!  Help I need a  solution! Thanks in advance! Robert P <Get a microscope, or take a sample to where you can use one that can resolve monerans... Otherwise, read where you were referred to. Bob Fenner>

Grey  Cyanobacteria... not likely color... Well this stuff is definitely grey to black.  Here are a couple of  pictures. See how the black on the white rock looks different than the  carpet on the substrate? <Yep> I might be dealing with two different problems.  Thanks for your help in identifying it.  And for your quick  reply. Love the website! Sincerely Bob P. <Is almost assuredly BGA. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the many Related Articles, FAQs re. Not hard to "beat"... Bob Fenner>

Red Hairy Algae Dear Bob: <Christian> I am a little bit of a newbie to the hobby, have had my Marine Tank set up for over four months now.  Over the time I have used your website extensively to research various matters with my tank, and, with your help, was able to get over things like Cyano Bacteria.   <Not yet... according to your pix> Well, recently another small problem developed, and I have not been able to get quiet the right answer on your website.  I have attached some pictures showing of what seems to be red hairy algae, which started approximately one month ago, and at first it looked pretty.  It grows in spots, and does not remind me of Cyano Bacteria, it rather looks like hairy algae, and is growing mostly on my live rock, and on the equipment in my tank, even some of it grows on the glass, and a little bit on my snails.  Recent water checks show that all my levels are perfect (ph: 8.2; nitrite: 0; nitrate: 0; ammonia: 0).  The tank is a 30 gallon with approximately 20 lbs of live rock, an anemone, a maroon clown, a coral beauty, a Kole tang, a lizard fish, a feather duster, cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp, and currently one piece of coral.  What could be the cause of the red algae?  I also easily develop a film of green algae on my front glass (about every three-four days).  Can you please tell me what do I need to do to treat it? Thank you so much! Christian in Greensboro <Read over the control of BGA/Cyano and the Related FAQs (again?)... you need to do something/s in the way of nutrient limitation, export, competition... Bob Fenner>

Re: Red Hairy Algae Thank you for your quick reply, but I do have some more questions before asking for more advice on the Cyano.  I sent two pictures earlier.  The Cyano I encountered about two months ago was also red, but it indeed was a more slime like substance, even growing on my live sand, and at times developing air bubbles.  I was told to feed less (and until now I feed almost only twice a day, plus I leave a small piece of green algae for my tang), pick off the "sheets" of algae (which was possible), get an additional power head to aid circulation throughout the aquarium, and eliminate phosphates (and I am currently using PhosEx).  My powerhead is actually blowing on some of the newly developed red algae (Cyano), and it is firmly attached to my rock and other items, seems totally different from what I experienced before.  Are there different types?  I have consulted your website, but in my opinion no picture matches what I have now.  If you have any more information I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you again, Christian <Please read where you were sent to previously. Bob Fenner>