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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 19
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 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 17,
Marine Algae ID 18, 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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Red / Purple/
Maroon Hair Algae? Nutrient Control 11/15/2007
Hi WWM crew.
<Hello Jurgen, Mich with you tonight.>
I've been reading and your site for a while now, and has given me tons
of information when I was setting up my first reef tank.
<Glad you have benefited.>
It's been almost a year now, and it seems to be doing great.
<Happy to hear!>
But now, I need some expert help and guidance myself.
<OK.>
I've got this annoying algae growing in a few spots. It started to
appear in some very high flow areas at first (sump return area, on the
rocks in front of my closed loop outlets)
but in the last couple of weeks I see it appear in some other random
spots on my rocks. It's not growing very fast, but it is slowly but
surely growing.
<Happens.>
so far, nothing seems to make it go away.
<Nutrient control is usually the key. Some suggestions here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/watchgantart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm >
my water parameters seem to be all right.
<Vague.>
- 90-gallon tank, with 29g sump.
- EV180 skimmer
- plenty of random water movement using an oceans motions device and
some small MaxiJet placed inside the tank.
- 8 x 54W T5 lighting; 4 bulbs (two actinic, one aquablue, one actinic+)
on for 8 hours a day, all 8 (two more aquablue and two more actinic+) on
for 5 hours)
- do a "reasonable" water change every weekend, sometimes (depending on
my schedule) every other weekend.
- only use RO/DI water that tests at 0
- nitrates tested <5 mg/L (Hagen Nutrafin kit)
- phosphates tested undetectable (Salifert kit)
- SG is 1.025
- temp is steady at 78F 24/7
All my corals (LPS, SPS, zoas, mushrooms) seem to be doing just great.
<Good.>
I barely have any hair algae at all (lawnmower blenny starved to death
unfortunately)
<Very sad. I'm sorry for you both.>
The only algae that I seem to be able to grow is this nasty purple
stuff, and some bubble algae, which my emerald crabs won't eat either,
but that is not as annoying right now.
<Keep on top of the Valonia, it can become problematic.>
none of my herbivores seem to even look at it either;
<Not surprising.>
I have a few scarlet hermits, a few blue-legged hermits, Cerith and
Astraea snails (I believe one of the Astraea had this red hair on the
shell when I got them, getting it into my tank that way)
<Many possibilities.>
emerald crabs don't look at it, Tomini tang doesn't look at it...
<OK.>
I don't feed very much, and not very often. three to four times a week,
one cube of frozen food (nicely rinsed first) and some live brine every
now and then.
<The brine have little to no nutritional value.>
some pellet food every now and then, but more as a snack, nothing to
fill them up with.
<OK.>
I'm attaching two images, I hope you can help me out and point me in the
right direction to get rid of this stuff, before it takes over the tank.
<Looks like red hair algae, possibly Polysiphonia.>
PS: yesterday, I threw two things in my sump,
<Hmm, hopefully they were things that belonged there!>
just in case it might help, as I don't think that it will hurt at this
point.
- a bag of Kent Phosphate sponge (the ceramic type media) will replace
that one tonight with a new batch.
- a 100ml bag of Purigen (will leave that one in there until it starts
to discolor)
Best regards,
Jurgen.
<Please next time use proper capitalization, i.e. "I" not "I"
Cheers,
Mich> |
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Maybe Aiptasia And
Something Else… Maybe Better Pics And Maybe Valonia 11/13/07
Hello again...
<Hi Jason, Mich here.>
What a great website this is. I have found a great deal of useful
information.
<Wonderful to hear!>
You have answered several of my questions with a speedy response, thank
you.
<Glad you have been pleased.>
Ok, now down to business. I have just "set up" a saltwater 75G with 75#
cured LR 4 days ago. All is well with the readings, to my surprise.
Seems to be going smoothly through the "cycling" process right now. I
have some experience with saltwater systems and am familiar with all the
natural things happening in my tank, but two things are puzzling me. I
attached some pics for you to see. 001 pic is of what I think is
Aiptasia,
<Could be... but is really hard to tell... did you have your lights on
when you took the pic?>
two or three of these guys on the rock in the foreground, could this be?
<Could be, or could be a yarn octopus, like my grandmother used to make,
sitting on your LR! Really, need a better quality image to give any sort
of opinion other than perhaps...>
If so, what should I combat them with, or do I even need to?
<Here are some links if this is indeed what you have:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/Cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm
I also found 2 interesting culprits. They are 2 small round, black pearl
looking objects growing from another piece of rock. 002 pic in the
center where the rock meets the sand,
<I can't tell what this is. I'm sorry, but the picture is just not
detailed enough.>
and the other is dead center of the rock in 003 pic.
<This looks like Valonia... I would remove, and try not to rupture this
cell or reproductive juices may be spread.>
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm
http://www.thesea.org/reef_aquarium/pests/pests_valonia.php
Can you identify them for me, and what should I do to combat these
things?
<If you can get better pics I will gladly take another look for you
Jason.>
Thanks again....
<Welcome! Mich>
Jason
Re: Maybe Aiptasia
And Something Else… Maybe Better Pics And Valonia 11/14/2007
I will turn my lights off and attempt to take better pics tomorrow.
<No, Jason wait! You need the lights ON!!! The pics were too dark and
not clear/detailed enough. Please check and see if your camera has a
Macro setting (Often looks like a flower) this may help you get a more
focused shot.>
I just went to the links that you gave me to look at, and I'm sure its
Valonia growing on the rock. It is the "black pearl" type.
<OK.>
What do you recommend to take these pearls off and out of the tank w/o
releasing any spores?
<Sometimes you can just ever so gently wiggle them loose with out
breaking them, just don't squeeze them very hard. Otherwise try to pop
it off as you're siphoning so if it does rupture hopefully most the
fluid will be removed from the tank. Good luck! Mich>
Re: Maybe Aiptasia And Something
Else… Maybe Better Pics And Valonia 11/14/2007
Gotcha gotcha,
<Get it? Got it? Good! Heehee!>
thanks Mich....
<Welcome Jason!>
I will check my camera and adjust the settings.
<The macro setting will likely be the most helpful.>
I would like to get quality photos like I see on the net.
<Sometimes easier said than done. Trust me... and the thousands of
photos on my hard drive...>
I believe my camera is capable.
<Yes is usually the camera operator where the problem lies!>
Once again, thanks for the information.
<You are welcome as always.>
I have had 75lbs. of LR in my tank since start-up a week ago,
<Patience and taking things slow is the key to success.>
would it be ok to add about 10-15 lbs more w/o disturbing the parameters
to greatly?
<Would likely be ok. But is always best to keep a close watch on your
water parameters and do frequent water changes if numbers begin to go
out of range.
Good luck,
Mich> Re:
Maybe Aiptasia And Something Else… Maybe Better Pics And Valonia
11/18/2007
Hello..
<Hi Jason, Mich back with you, apologizing for the delay.>
just wanted to follow up with you on my "problems".
<Good!>
I picked those pearl things off my LR. They felt like smooth acorns
almost. They came off pretty easy and intact, anyways there gone.
<All good!>
I got rid of the rock with the anemones on them. Didn't want them
effecting my soon to be habitants, corals.
<OK>
I picked up 3 more 5lb or less cured LR. That brings my new system to
about 85lbs of LR.
<OK.>
My skimmer is a Pro Clear, fairly large, and I had it on my 160 gal
FOWLER. Any objections or recommendations?
<I am not familiar with this Skimmer. If it produces a fair amount of
nasty stuff regularly it is likely fine.>
The micro bubbles that I asked about...
<Mmm, first time you've mentioned actually.>
can you run the return of the skimmer into the carbon filled filter bag
to lessen the microbubbles entering the sump where my return pump is
located?
<Sure.>
Thanks again..
<Welcome! Mich> |
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Ok, I Give Up--
Macroalgae ID?
Lilac macro algae ID – 11/07/2007 Marco's input
Hello fellow Crew members,
<Hi Sara.>
This is indeed embarrassing, but after months of scouring the internet,
I can't figure out what this is. It's my all time favorite macro algae.
It's beautiful, non-invasive and fast growing (the perfect refugium/sump
algae IMO). Now, if only I knew what the heck it is! Hopefully, whatever
it is, it's not toxic (though I've had it for years and never had any
reason to think it is). Thanks, Sara M.
<It is sold as Ochtodes sp. by the marine biologist Dr. Schubert. A
Google picture search for Ochtodes bringing up a picture of the algae
will link to his homepage and consequently e-mail address in case you
want to contact him re proper identification/confirmation. However, I
have seen this algae (or a similar species) also labeled as Hypnea
pannosa, but doubt this identification. Hope that helps, but will leave
this e-mail available to the others, too. I was thinking about getting
some of this stuff myself, looks good. Marco.>
Ok, I Give Up— Macroalgae ID?
11/7/07 Lynn's go 11/07/07
Hello fellow Crew members,
<Hi Sara!>
This is indeed embarrassing, but after months of scouring the internet,
I can't figure out what this is. <Been there, done that!> It's my all
time favorite macro algae. It's beautiful, <Yes, indeed.> non-invasive
and fast growing (the perfect refugium/sump algae
IMO).
<Wish I had that instead of the wicked red turf algae I’ve been battling
recently!>
Now, if only I knew what the heck it is! Hopefully, whatever it is, it's
not toxic (though I've had it for years and never had any reason to
think it is).
<Well, I’m by no means an expert on this subject, but I found something
that looks very similar, Hypnea pannosa, over at Algaebase.org. What
caught my eye was the fourth photo down at this link: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=2719
. As far as toxicity, if it is indeed Hypnea, it’s safe/edible for
people and fish, and is harvested as a source for carrageenan (used as a
food additive/thickener, etc). I hope I've at least gotten close on the
Id, but if not, let me know!>
Thanks,
Sara M.
<You're very welcome! Take care -Lynn> |
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A Rhodophyte... am sure. RMF. |
Can you
identify this?-Neomeris annulata 10/27/07
This has been growing in my reef tank on the edge of an empty shell.
It has a bright green hairy tip and it's stem looks as if it made of
calcium? It has grown about 2 inches in 2 months. I have looked all over
the web but cannot identify it. Can you help.
<It looks like Neomeris annulata. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm
Best,
Sara M.> |
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Algae ID Help... Hair
Algae
Dear Wet Web Crew,
<Hi Martin, Mich with you tonight.>
Your help in identifying the algae as seen in the attached photo would
be most appreciated.
<Is hair algae, a nuisance for sure!>
I've been unable to find similar looking algae in a search of your
incredible site.
<Not sure which species specifically, could be Derbesia, Boodlea,
Cladophora, Bryopsis to name a few. Regardless, you'll want to try to
get rid of it, likely by stepping up your maintenance. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/marineMaint.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgcont6.htm
Thank you,
<Welcome! Mich>
Martin |
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