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> 

Red algae. ID, control, more  -- 09/07/08 Hello WWM crew, <Hello Ed> My name is Ed, and I have an algae issue in my 4 year reef tank, and I'm going crazy trying to identify it and trying to halt its advance. I have attached two photos of it. Hopefully you have seen this type before and tell me if anything will consume it. I have searched WWM in hopes of finding it with no luck. In one of the picture's you will also see a type of starfish that literally wraps itself around this algae. Don't mind the 3 year old Mandarin as he is fat and happy... <I have seen this algae many times. It is in my tank!!! I have been plagued by this algae that seems to have originated from the Bali region of the Indo-Pacific coming in on maricultured corals sold at local fish stores. Eric Borneman and I have discussed this in detail. This thread at his forum shows pictures and there is a large discussion... http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic71371-9-1.aspx Eric has taken Trochus snails to overcome and control his algae while I use sea urchins from the diadema family.(Black long spines)We both feel that this only controls the algae as it can have very small fragments growing in other areas of the tank we can not see. In your direct case, I recommend the removal of any rock with the algae present as it is very invasive. You can than soak that rock in vinegar and strip the life off of it, allow it to dry, and then return it to your system to become re-established with life forms. If the rock is attached or encrusted with corals, you can either frag(CUT) the coral from the rock and attach it to another rock with Super-glue Gel, or clean the rock as best as possible. If you clean the rock you may have to repeat this procedure several times. Always clean the rock in a separate container and rinse before returning to the main system. This will prevent spreading fragments of the algae thru out the system. The addition of Trochus snails will help as the ones I have do eat it also.(Very well, too) Just make sure they are Trochus snails as the other grazers do not eat it. Some have reported that a Foxface Rabbitfish will eat it also. I have not had such luck.> Tank parameters are good, Ammonia-0, Nitrates and Nitrites-0, Ph 8.3, Alk is on the lower end at 2.97.<I would raise Alk to 3.5 and begin checking your Calcium levels with your Alk levels. They work together and affect each other.> Sorry for the second e-mail but, I have added tank information for you. <No, problem. I deleted the duplicate. Good luck-Rich...aka...Mr. Firemouth>