Algae problem help 11/3/09
Hey crew,
<Hello Alex, sorry for the slow response.>
I'm having a problem getting this algae under control. I also hope you can give me an id on what it exactly is also, but anyways my tank has been running for approx 2 years without any problems until now.
<Likely a form of Cyano.>
Problems started about two months ago and have yet to show any signs of slowing down. I have a 40 br and I use ro/di water and phosphates/nitrates/nitrites/ammonia/silicates all test out as undetectable.
<Can be used up as produced. 0 really means nothing so long as the algae it there.>
I have a flame Hawkfish, a yellow wrasse, and a blackcap Basslet as fish, various soft/LPSs/sps corals and 6 or so Astrea snails, 6 Cerith snails, 8 margarita snails, 10 or so blue leg hermits, and 5 Nassarius snails, I
recently added 4 turbo snails to help combat this algae as well.
<Too much for a 40, the tang especially.>
On Thursday I actually set up an Aquaclear 70 and set it up as a fuge with Chaeto to help get this thing under control.
I have a red sea max Prizm skimmer/ ac 70/ and Rena xp2 canister filter as my protein skimmer/ filtration and I have sort of run out of ideas on what I can do to further combat this algae.
<How often is the canister cleaned? Can be a big source of fueling factors.>
I tried a sea hare but it died within a few days so that idea is out.
<Typical really.>
Also my bulbs are only about 3 months old, I have a current nova extreme pro and I don't think the age of my bulbs would be an issue.
Thanks for all your help and insight!
-Alex
p.s. Sorry! i forgot to attach the picture on the last email!
<No problem, do see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the linked files above. All you need to know it there! Welcome, Scott V.>

Nuisance Algae ID Help – 11/03/09
Hi,
<Hello>
I'm hoping you guys can help me ID this algae and most importantly tell me how to get rid of it. We've literally tried everything and nothing seems to eat it either. We've tried Sea Hares, Multiple species of urchins, different tangs and Rabbitfish as well. It is coarse and grows quickly. It covers rock and corals within a matter of days. We've been removing it mechanically to save the corals but it always comes back.
Thanks,
Jason
<Mmm, well... need to look at a bit under a 'scope to tell to Division... this looks like a Phaeophyte macroscopically, and there are some that are unpalatable to most tropical marines... I would go the route of competition, nutrient limitation myself here. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
and the linked files above... Do you have a refugium? A DSB? Measures of ORP? Read re and we'll chat further. Bob Fenner>

Red rock - 10/25/09
Hey gang,
<Howdy Rod!>
Great site!
<Thanks>
Short question about a possible algae problem.
RIGHT: live rock that was all red when I bought it. The red hasn't changed.
<Looks to be an encrusting Red... coralline>
LEFT: live rock had some red when I bought it which turned to a darker red/maroon.
<Likely a type of BGA/Cyano>
LEFT: live rock appears to have some 'brighter' red matching the rock to the right (in addition to some coralline coming out).
<Mmm, can't tell>
The one on the left was purchased when the tank was setup. The one on the right was purchased 1 month later. All my levels are delicious, however I overfed my fish for a good two months.
Doesn't seem to match any of the long-haired algae I found- because there is no long hair. The closest image I saw was on
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/RedAlgID6.htm.
Is it cyanobacteria and should I panic?
<Likely the softer, slimy bit is... and no>
Was it a mistake to buy a 10lb rock
covered in it?
Photo attached.
Thanks in advance,
Rodney
<Only time can/will tell... best to read re Cyano control... work towards its management. Bob Fenner>

Help with... Is this coralline or regular algae? 10/14/09
Greetings,
<Salutations>
First off I would like to thank everyone at WWM for their knowledge, experience and guidance for aquarium hobby/enthusiast. The website is incredible and dare I say a " Bible" to marine biology.
<I won't disagree with the connotations; am hopeful not to offend other's sensibilities though>
Now for my question. I cruised the boards and FAQ`s about coralline algae but could not find an accurate answer for my question. I currently have a 2 year mature 55 gal fish and anemone setup with a 20 gal sump. I recently upgraded my lighting (4 months ago) to 4 65watt pc Actinics with 2 175watt MH 10k. This made a big difference in health for anemones and keeping away nuisance red and brown algae. I have been trying to help my small samples of purple coralline spread throughout the tank and live rock.
<High, consistent alkalinity, proportional Ca and Mg? You may not have the "seed" (spores) or said Rhodophytes here...>
This has not been successful and what I have now is a Fluorescent green color coating my LR.
<I see this>
This is not slimy or hairy, it is not calcareous like the hard purple and red corallines but appears to be spreading all over. I have also noticed that where the purple coralline dies off the green moves right in. The lighter the LR the brighter the green is.
<Yes... conditions are favoring it over the Coralline...>
I would like some feed back regarding this. I have been told coralline is only red, purple and sometimes brown, not green.
<Red to pink, purple...>
Will the MH bleach out the coralline, the areas that red and purple seem to do better is out of the light and kind of in the shaded spots of the tank.
I have attached an image and would like some expert feedback if at all possible. I am grateful for your website and look forward to your shared knowledge
Ed
<There are encrusting greens (Chlorophytes)... this may even be a Cyanophyte mostly... But as long as you're fine with the appearance, your livestock are healthy... Bob Fenner>

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>

Algae ID, BGA cont.   9/18/09
Hello,
<Howsit?>
I was wondering if you could take a look at these pics and let me know what you think. I don’t think it is red slime; it is very circular and callus like coralline algae but then grows the little furry tuffs.
<The pix show both coralline and BGA>
You can not pull off the little furry tuffs but my lawnmower blenny loves to eat it.<Interesting...>
But it is taking over slowly. It does not grow on the glass walls or sand only the rock and shells, it seems to like to grow over the purple coralline algae. You can see it is turning white (dyeing) on the return pipe. I recently added 2 15K T5’s and did a 30% water change. Also with the temps out here in California my tank is running at about 80 to as high as maybe 85 degrees.
180Gal Display tank, 40 Gal refuge with protein skimmer
Stock:
2” clown
3” lawnmower blenny
4” Red Coris Wrasse
Banded starfish
Snails and hermits
Lights:
2) 15K T5’s
2) 420 nm T5’s
2) 460 nm T5’s
1) 10K T5’s
1) 6500 T5’s
I would like to know if you have seen this before, what you think of it and how I might manage it, besides better husbandry.
Thank you,
James
<Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files therein where you lead yourself. BobF>