FAQs about Green Macro-Algae Identification 3
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Avoiding Algae Problems in Marine System
Algae Control,
Marine Maintenance,
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Related FAQs: Green
Macro-Algae ID 1, Green
Macro-Algae ID 2, Green Macro-Algae
ID 4, Green Macro-Algae ID 5,
Green Macro Algae ID
6, 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,
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Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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The Green Blob, SW alg. ID -02/25/08 Hello,
<Hi, SH, Mike I with you today> I saw the most disgusting looking
thing in my aquarium a few days ago. I had taken a few pieces of rock
out of my aquarium to rearrange them. On one I saw something I have no
idea how to do a search for, so hope you can help. <Fingers
crossed!> It was round in shape, approximately 1 inch wide. It was a
deep green color. The color was so deep green, it look greenish-black.
There was two smaller ones beside it, so assume it was spreading.(?) I
plucked the largest off, to get a better look. As I was rubbing it in
my fingers to test texture, it burst, and squirted fluid all over my
non-aquarium loving husband. I will refrain from repeating his words at
that. <grin> <I thank you for the sake of the innocent ears on
WWM!> The membrane remained in my hands. I took off my gloves then,
so I could fell the membrane better, and it was rather tough. I then
removed the two smallest blobs, and took out all of my rock to check
them. That was not any fun! Especially working with my husband who
complained the whole time. Anyway a long story short. I have no pics. I
burst them too soon. There are no more in the tank, so far. I once
posted stock, but forgot one. So, in a 75g I have 1 Brittle Star, 1
False Percula, 1 Cowry, 3 large Turbo Snails. A few Astrea, and
Nassarius Snails, a couple of Hermit Crabs, 2 smalls frags. So, my tank
has a very light bio-load. After a year in this hobby, no one can claim
I jumped in too fast. I have a Euro-Reef skimmer, and I use socks as
well. Do you have any ideas what the round, dark green, fluid filled
things were? I thank you, SH <Well, they sound like the could be
Valonia, a green algae. A search using that name will bring you lots of
information but to start you off, there's a few pictures and
questions here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgfaqs2.htm If that's not
the culprit, then next time take a pic, or you could try a more
detailed description. Hope that helps. Mike I>
Re: The Green Blob.. ie, Algae ID
2/27/08 Mike, You are an absolute genius! <I told BobF
so!><<Heeee! We'll double all's pay... RMF>> It
is Valonia. Thank you for ID'ing that for me, so now I can do my
research. SH <Thanks for the thanks, SH. You're most welcome.
Mike I>
Algae ID 2/4/08 Hi, <Hello
Chris> It's been a long time since I've had to ask any
questions, but I'm stuck (again) with an algae problem. I must
admit, that I've let slip my upkeep of my reef tank, but even so,
it's state is not that critical. I do however have a strange algae
that I am not able to identify. I was always convinced that it was
Bryopsis, as nothing touched it, not a snail, a fish.....nothing! Even
though my test kits say zero for Nitrates and Phosphates (I run RO
water, carbon and phosphate absorber all the time) I still get this one
type of algae to grow. I did a massive cleaning last night, so I forgot
to take a photo, but I'll try and explain the algae. The color is
dark green, and grows as short 1 inch long spikes forming a brush. In
fact, if one moves, it has a silvery sheen to it. The algae grows in
small clumps, is fairly hard or rigid, and can be removed fairly easily
from the rocks. My thoughts are that it might also be Cladophora, but I
don't know. What algae are you aware of that are short, hard, hard
and form small tufts? <I'm betting that this is Bryopsis
pennata. See/read here.
http://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/invasive_algae/chloro/bryopsis_pennata.htm
James (Salty Dog)> Cheers
Chris
Green alg ID, SW 2/3/08
Hello all... Just a quick question. I have this piece of live rock
I purchased some time ago, and what started out as a bump has grown
into what is on the attached photo. What is this marine plant
called? <Isn't a plant, but the pic is so poor...> It has
no bulbs or anything, just oval shaped leaves and bumps on the
stems. The camera is not the best, but hopefully you can make out
the plant. Thank you in advance. Love the site. Ken. <A better
image please. Bob Fenner> |
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Neon green worm-like things: Neomeris annulata --
2/2/08 Greetings Guys and Gals! <Hello, Wes!> It seems
like it's been forever since I've had to write you, though,
in reality it was just five months ago. <Welcome back!> Just
an update (in case you want it), I have a 125g reef tank with a
pretty light fish load and several corals that are really growing
(the xenia seems to multiply like rabbits and the mushrooms
aren't far behind). <Oh yes, those can take off on you if
you're not careful! A couple of years ago I decided I wanted
some blue mushrooms. Hmmmmm, now I have them everywhere!>
Everything is going very well - slight outbreak of hair algae a
couple of months ago that seems to now be receding with reduced
feeding and phosphate control. <Excellent!> Anyway, I've
had most of the live rock in the tank for over a year, I added some
pieces about two months ago, but they went through six weeks of
quarantine sitting on PVC legs to try and make sure they didn't
carry any harmful critters in with them. <Oh, you are good!>
Over about the past 45 days, I've noticed these neon green
worm-like things sprouting up out of the live rock near the green
star polyps. At first, I just thought they were related to the
polyps, but, upon closer inspection, they're clearly not. They
appear to be at least semi-rigid (they don't move with water
flow as the star polyps do) and they seem to be getting larger.
I've looked on the site and haven't found anything that
resembles them. Can you tell me what they are? Harmful, beneficial
or neutral? <Mmmmmm, neutral. What you have is Neomeris
annulata, a beautiful, harmless, calcium loving macroalgae. Please
see WWM for more information regarding, starting here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm, and/or enter
"Neomeris annulata" in our search engine here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm
> Wes
<You're very welcome! Take care. --Lynn> |
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Algae ID 12/23/07 Hi guys, I sent this last
week but didn't get a response, I thought maybe you didn't
get it so I thought I'd send it again, sorry if it's a
duplicate! <Not a problem> Hello fish gurus! <Hello
Elise> I'm looking for some help identifying this growth in
my 150 gallon live rock set-up. It is slow growing, but starting to
get out of control. I have a Blue Tang (Dori) and a Sailfin Tang
who don't touch it. I was thinking about trying an Emerald
Crab, though I have a couple of Skunk Cleaner Shrimp I wouldn't
like to lose. Any suggestions? <Looks much like Bryopsis
pennata. I think a Tuxedo Urchin would do the trick here.> I am
also curious about the yellow stuff growing. It is very slow
growing, and is just in this one spot. I'm thinking some kind
of sponge? <Tis a type of sponge.> Thanks in advance,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Elise |
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Algae Identification... Nutrient control
12/06/2007 Bob, good morning! <Hi Phil, Mich helping out the
big bad Bobster today.> I am having trouble identifying some
very slow growing, but becoming problem algae in my reef tank.
<Well, at least it's growing slowly for you.> Due to the
nature of the question I am having a very hard time searching for
it. I tried some algae identification web sites and the closest I
came is Cladophoropsis sp., but I am unsure based on the limited
pictures posted. <My guess would have been either Bryopsis or
Cladophora. Often it is challenging to determine which algae is
which even under microscopic examination.> This algae is VERY
hard to remove physically, it seems to be growing out of the live
rock pulling on it with strength just breaks it off at the bottom
leaving a stub of algae remaining. It's hard like grass
outside, dark green, thin strands. I have attached a picture of a
close-up of one bunch growing. The reason for the question is, with
proper identification, I can find something to graze on it I hope.
<Yeah... good luck with that... Some suggestions offered by J.
Sprung include tangs and rabbitfish (For tanks of at least 75
gallons), Diadema and tuxedo urchins, and Mithraculus crab... Each
presents its' own set of problems. A better way is to control
you nutrients, increase your water changes and adding a refugium
with a beneficial macroalgae such as Chaetomorpha. 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/refugium.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maralgae.htm So far, the usual algae
crews don't have a taste for it. <A very common problem for
many similar algae.> Thanks a ton Bob!
<Welcome a ton Phil! Mich>
Phil |
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Bubble Algae'¦ Boergesenia forbesii
11/25/2007 Hello Crew! <Hi Dave! Mich with you tonight.>
I had already sent this email a few minutes ago but decided to
resend it with a photo this time. Hope this doesn't lead to any
confusion. <Nope! Think I grabbed both.> I set up a
120-gallon tank 1 month ago, and have placed 3 small fish and 4
corals from a pre-existing nano reef that I took down. The rock had
been cycled for nearly 4 months in 2 "Brute" garbage cans
because I had to exchange the 120 a couple times. I did not use any
of the rock from my nano, though I ultimately plan to add it.
Getting to the point, 3 of the rocks have already broken out in a
bad case of green bubble algae...didn't take long, did it?
<Nope!> It doesn't seem like Valonia, but lighter colored
and more oblong in shape. <Is a type of bubble algae, likely
Boergesenia forbesii. I would remove the rocks from the system,
remove the bubble algae manually and then rinse the rock well with
system water outside of the tank. More here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
> Now I know that a new tank will continue to have various algae
species go through cycles for several months, and I have read
everything on the site about bubble algae, but not sure if there is
something I should do. <Yes, see above.> Should I remove
these 3 rocks while I still might have a chance at eliminating
these algae? <Yes, I would even better if you can keep them
outside of the system till you see how well the manually removal
worked.> Will it likely die back with time? <Mmm, I would not
chance it.> I tested my water and Nitrates and Phosphates are
zero, which is what I expected with so little livestock. <Yes,
but this doesn't mean they aren't present. The excess
nutrients may be utilize by such nuisance algae as it is produced
and thus not detectable.> I'm kind of bummed since I have
been really going slowly, with a lot of planning to do this system
right, and I already have this nuisance. <Don't let this
discourage you. Some nuisance algae is a normal part of the cycle.
Continued patience will be rewarded. Take it slow.> Any advice
would be appreciated. <Hope Thanks,
<Welcome, Mich>
Dave |
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What is this stuff, some sort of macro algae?
Algae Control 9/24/07 Hello Fine Folk, <Hello Russell>
I have a 110g mixed reef system full of live rock and coral. Only
one little fish at this point...Royal Gramma. I bought a complete
system from someone else and in the intervening two month I have
had a prolific outbreak of this stuff ( see attached picture)
growing up out of the live rock through many of my corals. It is
really taking over and am concerned it is going hurt the corals. Is
it some sort of macro algae? How do I get rid of it? <Yes, it is
a type of macro, possibly a Caulerpa specie. It could hurt the
corals by blocking needed light required by them. As far as
control, read here and linked files above.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm James (Salty
Dog)>
Russell Furst |
Mmm, more likely a Bryopsis sp. RMF
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Chaetomorpha Identification 9/11/07 Hi
team, <Hi Dave, Mich here.> I'm in the process of installing
a 200l sump/refugium to support my 700l display tank. I live in New
Zealand, which doesn't allow for the import of any foreign
vegetation. <Ahh, yes, and similar issues with livestock in
Australia as well I am learning.> I would like to harvest
Chaetomorpha in the refugium. <A good decision I think.> This
macro algae grows freely throughout shore areas of NZ and so I thought
I'd don my boots and visit a non-reserve area and bring home a
fistful in a plastic bag. <Sounds good as long as it's
legal.> I've seen many pictures on-line but have never seen the
algae first hand as it were. The LFS's don't stock such stuff
and nor does any of the on-line communities that I've made
enquiries with. So my question is how can I make a positive ID on any
algae that I collect? <Most all that I have ever seen is kind of
distinctive in look and in texture. It typically looks and feels a
little like a Brillo pad. You can see a picture I took of some in my
tank here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm I'm not sure the
number of species but presumably there could be variations. You can
always take a picture and send it in. Someone, will gladly give you an
opinion!> Thanks in advance <Welcome! Mich>
Dave
Identification...Neomeris annulata 9/6/07
Greetings Crew <Hello again Lynn, Mich here.> I have attached
another picture of some type of plant that I am unable to identify.
They seem to be growing independently of each other. <Is
Neomeris annulata, which usually doesn't grow out of control.
If you enjoy it keep it, if not it can be manually removed. You can
see more like it here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm >
Thank you <Welcome!>
<Michelle Lemech> |
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New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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