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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 17
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: Marine Algae ID 1, Marine
Algae ID 2, Marine Algae ID 3,
Marine Algae ID 4,
Marine Algae ID 5,
Marine Algae ID 6, Marine
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 15,
Marine Algae ID 16,
Marine Algae ID 18,
Marine Algae ID 19,
Marine Algae ID 20,
Marine Algae ID 21,
Marine Algae ID 22, &
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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Diatoms?: how to proceed 8/23/07
Dear Crew,
<Mark>
I know the information is on your web page; I just can't seem to put it all
together.
Tank parameters:
90gal set up for 3 years. Have always seemed to have an algae problem of one
kind or another since automatic fish feeder fell in the tank while I was at work
1.5 years ago.
Water flow is approximately 1500 gph
Filtration: sand and protein skimmer
pH 8.2-8.4
NH3=0
NH2=0
Alk=9dKH
NO3=undetectable with Aquarium Pharm.
PO3=undetectable with Aquarium Pharm.
Calcium=400ppm
5 gallon water changes weekly
Livestock:
4" yellow tang
3" flame angel
2" cleaner shrimp
2 species of Montipora
3 species of Acropora
2 species of star polyps
1 frogspawn colony
Three weeks ago I added Kalkwasser to replace evaporation since my calcium
levels were a little low (350ppm vs. the 400ppm as present). Two days after I
added the Kalkwasser I noticed my BGA was replaced by what I believe to be
diatoms (I looked at them with a microscope and found they were too large to be
BGA, but did not appear as symmetrical as I would expect from diatoms.
<Bacillariophyceans are distinctive... as you state>
Cells were oval shaped with only one plane of symmetry).
<Not diatoms. Were organelles, nuclei apparent?>
Also, many of them float to the water's surface during the day; less or not at
all at night.
The SPS don't seem to be affected but the frogspawn and star polyps don't look
very good (stay closed most of the day).
<Yikes...>
In an effort to rid my tank of this bloom I replaced my DIY protein skimmer with
a Tunze DOC 9005, added an inch of 1-3mm aragonite sand (it was down to 2.5),
and switched from tap water to RO that I buy from the LFS. I also added a small
clump of Chaetophora to my tank.
<Really? Am assuming you mean/t the genus Chaetomorpha>
What should my next step be? Keep up with the water changes and wait it out?
<Yes, I would... unless the Stony Corals continue to "look bad"... in which case
I'd effect another, larger water change and use carbon in your filter flow path>
Buy some new live rock and/or order live sand activator to recharge my system
with small detritivores?
<Also a good move>
Was this caused by the CaOH precipitating PO3 thus killing the BGA and leading
to a diatom bloom?
<Possibly... but not diatoms... some other Protista>
Thanks for a wonderful website,
Mark
<Do send along pix if you can. Bob Fenner>
Re: Diatoms?: how to proceed
8/24/07
Hi Bob,
<Mark>
Thanks for your quick reply. I forgot to mention that I also stopped adding
Kalkwasser a few days ago. As a result the pH in my tank reverted to
pre-Kalkwasser readings: 7.8 in the morning and 8.2 in the afternoon. Also my
calcium increased to 420ppm. This could be due to experimental error (difference
in reading of only one drop) or due to increase calcium solubility in the lower
pH.
<Better to look into bolstering alkalinity slowly through your water changes
over time here...>
The corals do look a little better today, but I am concerned about this Protist
bloom. I looked at a sample I took from the bottom of the tank (first time was
from top/dead) and found that when alive they are very mobile.
<NOT Diatoms...>
It looks like they use cilia for locomotion. Also they seem to contain brown
chloroplasts and a nucleus. Enclosed is a Word document with a picture pasted
onto it. Are there any good herbivores for this?
<I see... more likely Dinoflagellates...>
I am afraid to buy fresh live rock at this point because I think it would become
smothered.
<Mmmm>
Thanks,
Mark
P.S. I did mean Chaetomorpha (not Chaetophora)
<Ah, good. Bob Fenner>
Re: Diatoms?: how to
proceed... Maybe Euglenoids 7/25/07
Hi Bob,
Just wanted to thank you for your help. I did some searching and it looks like
these are Euglenoids from the genus Trachelomonas
(though from what I've seen on the internet this is mostly a freshwater genus).
The following link convinced me; especially the movement.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu/Pics/Other%2520Algae/Other_jpegs/Trachelomonas1.jpg&imgrefurl=
http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu/LucidKeys/Carolina_Key/html/
Trachelomonas_Main.html&h=235&w=288&sz=38&hl=en&start=27&tbnid=H0z0lEYVy3pntM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=115
&prev=/images%3Fq%3DEuglenoids%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
<Okay>
So eventually the alkalinity will improve with water changes?
<Mmm, yes... should... with higher alkalinity in the new water...>
I've had low pH (7.8-8.2) for at least 1.5 years with weekly water changes. Of
course the addition of the Tunze skimmer may take some pressure off the buffers
in the saltwater mix (Instant Ocean).
Thanks again,
Mark
<I would look into supplemental bolstering of your alkalinity here... Bob
Fenner>
Algae ID
Please... Better Photo Please – 8/19/07
Hey guys,
<Hi there, Mich here, barely.>
I have had this alga for the past 2 years and can’t get rid of it.
<OK.>
What it is small clusters of very short red hair algae , it is not slimy
and its taking over my rocks, even covering my Maxijet 1200 intake
sponge.
<I can't really tell anything from the photo you sent, is very blurry,
but the blurs sort of resemble hydroids to me, but need better sot to
really help you out here. You need to look for the Macro setting on your
camera (The symbol usually looks like a daisy or flower of some sort.
This will allow you to take better close up shots.>
I have tried red & blue-legged hermits and sea bunnies but can't get rid
of it. Only extremely low ph seems to work , but do not want to kill my
BTA. Any Ideas?
<A better photo might help.>
thanks guys
<Sorry I can't help you more.>
here is the link for the picture:
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1696/hpim0219dm2.jpg
<You did look at this photo, right? I mean, I know I'm tired, and a bit
bleary eyed, but dang! Mich> |
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Could You Try
and ID This Algae? 8/8/07
This started out as a tiny paddle looking thing growing out of a
mushroom rock. Now it is a bunch about 4 to 5 inches across. The
“leaves” are very crinkled on the edges and it looks brown with light
speckles throughout. I can’t even see down to the rock where it is
attached to tell how it is attached. It looks really nice in my tank and
moves with water flow. My tangs occasionally nip at it but mostly leave
it alone. 2 photos are attached
<We just had someone else send in a remarkable similar photo and now I
can't
seem to find it here on WWM. Bob where'd ya put it? I believe this is a
Rhodophyte, a red alga. Enjoy it! It's a beauty!>
Thanks,
<Welcome! Mich>
Agnes
<Should be w/ the Reds, or alg. in general... poss. LR hitchhikers... Is
a red. B> |
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Macroalgae ID
7/13/07
Greetings,
Hey Crew!
I have a couple of pictures of an unknown Algae that I was hoping you might be
able to ID.
<Actually, I think you have hydroids (most likely of the genus Myrionema). Not
all hydroids are bad, but these ones are. And believe it or not, they're
actually closer to jelly fish than algae.>
This stuff is incredibly prolific and comes right back after harvesting from the
rock. I'm afraid I would have to scrub the rock to get it off and as almost
every rock has some other important denizen, I'd rather not. Harvesting is not a
problem but I was hoping with an ID, I might find a critter who would benefit
from harvesting it for it's own nutritional needs.
<I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these things get really annoying.
You're not likely to find something that eats them. They sting and kill things.
Basically, they're like Aiptasia. For more info, please see:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hyzoancompfaq.htm.>
Thank you,
<De nada,
Sara M.>
EL
Re: Macroalgae ID, hydrozoan control
7/13/07
Sara,
I looked through what available literature there was on this species that I
could readily find as well as cruising through the WWW forums. From what I read,
short of removing the rocks and scrubbing them off, I am basically going to be
in a situation of just constantly harvesting them out and trying to keep them
from growing near any corals.
<Pretty much, yes. Controlling excess nutrients with protein skimming, water
changes, macro algae harvesting, etc. will also help.>
However, I noticed that in a previous post Anthony mentioned that some limpets
eat them. I was wondering if there was a way we could get his attention and find
out a suggested suitable species that I could add to the system to enjoy a
wonderful Hydroid snack!?!
<I'll cc dear Anthony here. He's extremely busy so I don't know how long it
might take him to respond. Also keep in mind that knowing the kind of limpet
that eats these is one thing, finding them is quite another.>
Again, thank you so very much for all your wonderful help!
<Happy to help. Good luck.
Sara M.>
-EL |
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Plant id (Acetabularia spp.) AKA Mermaid's
Wineglass or Mermaid's Winecups 7/12/07
Hello Everyone,
<Hi there! Mich here.>
If I missed this somewhere I'm sorry
<No worries...Is on the site. You can see it here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maralgae.htm
but what is this growing
<Is an alga, (Acetabularia spp.) AKA Mermaid's Wineglass or Mermaid's Winecups>
and is it good
<Is good.>
and how do I get more to grow
<Keep doing what your doing is the best I can tell you.>
it is pretty.
<Certainly is! Enjoy them! Mich> |
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Algae Confusion... Coralline vs.
Cyanobacteria aka Red Slime aka BGA aka Blue/Green Algae 7/10/07
<Hi Kristie, Mich here.>
I have searched the Internet for pix & info on my question & can't seem to find
the right answers. We have a 120-gallon marine fish only & 75-gallon reef tank.
But I am unclear which is coralline algae vs. the red slime or other unwanted
algae.
<Really, well, hopefully we can fix that.>
It seems that the large tank without the "excellent" lighting has the coralline
algae & the smaller reef tank with better lighting is starting to develop red
slime (& now bubbles building up).
<Is possible, and coralline algae does not produce bubbles. Coralline algae are
generally hard and encrusting, similar to an eggshell on a hardboiled egg in
that it firmly encapsulates. Red slime on the other hand is very soft, often
produces bubbles, may grow on your sandbed, can be easily blown off the rocks
and sand and has more of a consistency of a raw egg.>
I look online for pics, but am not sure what is what.
<We'll help you here.>
thanks for you help.
<You're welcome!>
I can attach pics of mine if you like, or if you have a reference to pics of
each online or your website...
<I will refer you here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallinealg.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm This article goes into ways of
controlling BGA.
And do a Google image search... for more using the terms coralline.
Cyanobacteria or Blue/green algae doesn’t give the best results, use the WWM
link provided above for a more accurate photo representation.>
Thanks.
Kristie
<Welcome! Mich>
ps. We took a huge green brittle starfish out of the reef tank & put it in the
120 gallon. Could this be why I'm starting to develop this algae?
<Is a scavenger but it is unlikely that this is the cause. Please read the
article re control.>
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