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FAQs about Green Macro-Algae Identification 6

Related Articles: Embracing Biodiversity, Green Algae By Mark E. Evans, Green Algae, 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: Green Macro-Algae ID 1, Green Macro-Algae ID 2, Green Macro-Algae ID 3, Green Macro-Algae ID 4, Green Macro-Algae ID 5, Green Macro Algae ID 7, Green Macro Algae ID 8, & Caulerpas, Green Macro-Algae 1, Green Macro-Algae 2, Green Macro-Algae 3, Green Macro-Algae 4, Chlorophyte Behavior, Chlorophyte Compatibility/Control, Chlorophyte Selection, Chlorophyte Systems, Chlorophyte Nutrition, Chlorophyte Disease, Chlorophyte Reproduction/Propagation, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae Control FAQs II, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae,

Green Hair Algae 11/26/11
<We require that people send files of no larger size than a few hundred Kbytes. See WWM re Chlorodesmis. Bob Fenner>
For a almost 6 months we've been losing a battle to green hair algae. Our 250 reef tank had been doing well until the back of the glass was covered with hair algae. Not thinking/realizing it was time to add more to our CUC, we scraped the back glass ourselves and the hair algae attached to the rocks. We tried manually cleaning the rocks but the few threads we missed clung to new rocks and continued to grow. When I have browsed your website, the closest algae to ours appears to be turtle weed. I'm attaching
pictures to see if you could please help us identify our hair algae. Our magnesium was low (1120) and our nitrates were at 10. We are raising the magnesium and continuing to run carbon and phosphate removers. We have added additional types of macro algae to our refugium, changed our lights, reduced the light period of our MH to only 6 hours but still have the VHOs on 4 hours prior to the MH and 4 hours after the MH. We have also reduced feedings and recently added snails (Astrea turbo snails). We had been
trying to use Mexican Turbos but hadn't had much luck with them. No one wants to eat it and we can't seem to kill it. Any type of ID help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help and guidance.

Re: Green Hair Algae 11/26/11
Here are the smaller images, I will check out Chlorodesmis. Thanks
<Ahh; I/we thank you. The 50 Megs of space our email has was past 76% full>
For almost 6 months we've been losing a battle to green hair algae. Our 250 reef tank had been doing well until the back of the glass was covered with hair algae. Not thinking/realizing it was time to add more to our CUC, we scraped the back glass ourselves and the hair algae attached to the rocks. We tried manually cleaning the rocks but the few threads we missed clung to new rocks and continued to grow. When I have browsed your website, the closest algae to ours appears to be turtle weed.
<Ah yes>
I'm attaching pictures to see if you could please help us identify our hair algae. Our magnesium was low (1120) and our nitrates were at 10. We are raising the magnesium and continuing to run carbon and phosphate removers.
<Hopefully these won't starve other live, your livestock here>
We have added additional types of macro algae to our refugium, changed our lights, reduced the light period of our MH to only 6 hours but still have the VHOs on 4 hours prior to the MH and 4 hours after the MH. We have also reduced feedings and recently added snails (Astrea turbo snails). We had been trying to use Mexican Turbos but hadn't had much luck with them. No one wants to eat it and we can't seem to kill it. Any type of ID help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help and guidance.
<Welcome... do consider a (remoted) DSB as well. BobF>
Re: Green Hair Algae 11/27/11

Thank you so much for your response. I'm really perplexed to how we have turtle weed growing in our tank. Besides installing a remote DSB are there any other suggestions you might add?
<Mmm, the usual trials for potential predators, other means of nutrient deprivation... Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/maintindex.htm
scroll down to the Algae Control tray... BobF>
None of our fish will eat it but it seems like some of the Astrea snails are working on it. I have ordered some Mexico Turbos to see if they will help too. Any other suggestions? Thank you again.

Algae Identification 10/20/11
Hi my tank is being plagued by this algae and I would like to remove it from my tank.
-Jason Quan
<Is likely Neomeris... see WWM re. Bob Fenner>

Re: Algae Identification 10/20/11
I do not think its Neomeris since none have ever had white stalks.
<Don't always...>
When removing them by hand they feel slimy.
<Many algae are... do you suspect this is a Cyanobacteria? See WWM re, use a microscope and examine. B>
They look like long bubble algae but not clear, they are dark green and not filled with fluid.
-Jason Quan

What kind of Algae is this? 7/28/11
I thought it was Bryopsis, but now I'm not sure. It's really starting to take a real hold all over the tank, and is tough to pull out. I had a turbo that would eat it, but it died.
<Mmm, a clue perhaps>
Now all the new Turbos/snails won't touch it..
<And this>
I'm currently dosing Kent tech-m, and at 1700 ppm Mg, but there seems to be no effect on it so far.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KzuNFf7_COQ/TjC_XIw4b2I/AAAAAAAABKE/yEK0O8pu3SE/s800/IMG_2175.jpg
<Doesn't open>
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B9Bv_aP2xco/TjC_XQlnDcI/AAAAAAAABKI/tpXHcjp72BI/s800/IMG_2176.jpg
<Fragments... does appear to be a Thallophyte (vs. a Moneran/Blue Green... might be BGA mixed in/on), but... perhaps Derbesia... There are a few approaches to control. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/maintindex.htm
scroll down... Bob Fenner>
Thanks!
Eric

Re: What kind of Algae is this? 7/30/11
Thanks Bob for the reply,
Here are some better pictures of the menace algae, this was one clump of it. It has a very tight hold on the rocks where it grows. It's also stiff - bristle like, not soft like HA. I'm thinking its a type of Cladophora... your opinion?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--Kcm4OttAeU/TjNLkt7aHEI/AAAAAAAABKk/E2fL45nhPTA/s800/IMG_2178.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YEJ7KzOho1o/TjNLklz7IWI/AAAAAAAABKg/YteoHuscEcM/s800/IMG_2179.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g3f7maTP9aI/TjNLk2b8F9I/AAAAAAAABKo/ZnjLkJV09bY/s800/IMG_2182.jpg
Thanks
Eric
<Could be a Cladophora... or Bryopsis... or a Blue Green Algae attached/associated with it. Do you have access to a decent low power microscope? Do see/read on WWM re their use in algae identification. Bob Fenner>

Bryopsis? 5/8/11
Hey crew,
I was wondering if this sounded like Bryopsis to you (that rhymed, but oh well). I have a bunch of this green algae growing on my live sand, and whenever I disturb it by displacing the sand, long strands of it start floating around, still attached to a piece of sand at the base. I wasn't sure if they were Bryopsis because the pictures I saw for the most part looked something like --->->->--->->->--->->-> or
---|-|-|---|-|-|---|-|-|.
What I have looks like -|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-< .
<?>
It has the slightly thicker stem running up the middle with small hairs (not sure what to call them, sorry) sticking out perpendicular from the side at even intervals. Also, at the end it appears to fork off like a snakes tongue.
Is this enough to get an idea without a picture?
<Not me, no>
Just really wondering because if it is Bryopsis I'll have to get a Tuxedo Urchin temporarily I suppose. It keeps getting sucked up in the powerhead when I dislodge it so I have had to clean it daily.
Thank you very much as always,
Sam
<Perhaps a bit more searching, reading, seeing some other representative images. BobF>

Request your help to ID algae 1/26/11
Dear WWM:
<Chris>
I've noticed what seems to be some sort of macroalgae growing in different spots on the live rock in my tank. I couldn't find any pictures resembling it on either your site or in Julian Sprung's "Algae" book. I've had Caulerpa taxifolia and Valonia show up a couple times before, and it looks nothing like that. From the attached photo, can you tell me what it is, if it poses any detriment to the tank inhabitants (soft and LPS corals), and if so, the best method of removal?
Chris
<Mmm, is this laminar (flat, blade-like), two-dimensional or more "tubular" in cross section. Appears to be a Codium sp. to me (great common name, "Dead Sailor's Fingers"... can be easily excised close to the point of attachment... but not terribly invasive, fast-growing. Put another way, I'd leave, and enjoy it. Bob Fenner>

Re: Request your help to ID algae 1/26/11
Definitely "tubular" in shape. I searched Codium sp. algae pics online...yes, looks just like that! Thanks so much for your help.
<Glad to assist you, BobF>

Algae hitchhiker ID: Acetabularia crenulata Mermaid's Wineglass 7/26/2010
Check this out........I just spotted this in my fish only tank.
<Cool!>
It has no live rock or substrate, or should I say it was started with none!
<Looks like some crushed shells in any case.>
What is it, I assume a plant/algae of some kind.
<It is an algae, and a relatively rare one (in the pet industry anyways).
It is Acetabularia crenulata, or commonly known as mermaid's wineglass algae. A nice find!>
<You can read some about it here: http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&safe=off&sitesearch=www.WetWebMedia.com&&sa=X&ei=J8pMTLeZJ4H58AbgjeEy&ved=
0CAwQBSgA&q=mermaids+wineglass&spell=1 >
Regards
<MikeV>

Xeniid & Algae I.D. & Compatibility 3/8/2010
Hi, Can you please tell me what these are? Scientific and common names would be greatly appreciated. And is the algae a threat to the Xeniid chemically?
<Please see here: http://wetwebmedia.com/xeniidarts.htm
and the ID FAQ linked above re the Pulsing Coral; and the green... can't tell w/o microscopic photographs>
If the pics aren't clear enough, just let me know and I might be able to send some that are a little better.
Thank you,
Greg
<Bob Fenner>

Macro Id 3/2/10
Hey guys, I have an algae I'm trying to get an ID for. Looking at your Algae
ID page I think it's either Sargassum or, Ulva, or Caulerpa. I'm hoping it's Ulva, what do you think?
<Mmm, actually... does this stuff "feel soft?"... Am thinking you may have a "green variety" of the Phaeophyte Lobophora variegata here... can grow as this colour and size, shape with conditions that lack sufficient iodine/ide
et al.. See WWM re control. Bob Fenner>
It doesn't grow higher then about 1-2cm and it's about 1cm across. It's growing way too fast and has spread to the sand bed.
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f245/okkiedokki/?action=view&current=DSCN1343.jpg
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f245/okkiedokki/?action=view&current=DSCN1344.jpg

Re: Macro Id 3/2/10
I will have to see what it feels like when I get home, but it does look exactly like Udotea orientalis,
http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3819.
<Is a possibility as well. BobF>

Unidentified Single Loop Tube, ID and growing Rhodophytes sans essential nutrients 2/10/10
Dear Crew!
<Tom>
I am a hardcore believer in researching and not taking the easy way out.
So believe me when I say I invested, not wasted, hours looking up more information about the little critter I have attached a photo of. First the facts I have a 75 gallon FOWLR tank with 80 lbs of live rock and the following stock:
Niger Trigger (temporary until I feel his new home is well establish enough
he's only two inches long).
Chocolate Chip Star (not my idea received as a gift/rescue).
Tiger Cowry (Same as above).
Twenty Hermits (Blue leg, red leg).
10 Nassarius Snails
10 Various other snails
Specs
Temp 75F
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
Calcium 425
I have a AquaC Remora Pro Skimmer
And four stage UV filtration system
First, what can I do to make my red macro, both pictures attached, grow?
<Need/s some/appreciable Phosphate and Nitrate among other possibilities...
Whatever you're doing to absolutely exclude, remove these needs to change>
It is turning clear and does not seem to be increasing in size at all. Second I only have two of these green loopy thingies, which I am sure is their proper name, should I removed them?
<Mmm, no... unless you're concerned re their proliferation. Are types of bubble algae... See WWM re>
They are bright green and there does not seem to be any tentacles, nets, fans etc., coming out in light or in the dark.
I attempted to get the best picture but the largest is not even pushing half an inch and they are almost transparent. Any help is appreciated. I am very grateful for the wonderful resource your site is to me consistently.
Thank you. Thomas Mathews Horne
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

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