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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 6
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,
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 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 19, Marine Algae ID 20, Marine Algae ID 21, Marine Algae ID 22, Marine Algae ID 23, Marine Algae ID 24, Marine Algae ID, 25, Marine Algae ID, 25, Marine Algae ID, 25, SW Algae ID 26, SW Algae ID 27, SW Algae ID 29, SW Algae ID 30, SW Algae ID 31, SW Algae ID 32,
SW Algae ID 33,
SW Algae ID 34,
SW Algae ID 35,
SW Algae ID 36,
SW Algae ID 37,
SW Algae ID 38,
SW Algae ID 39, &
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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New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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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>
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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.>
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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>
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| 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> |
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| 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> |
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| 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> |
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| 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> |
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New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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