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FAQs about Green Macro-Algae Identification 3

Related Articles: Embracing Biodiversity, Green Algae By Mark E. Evans, Green AlgaeAvoiding 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 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 1Green Macro-Algae 2Green 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

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>

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>

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

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

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

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

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>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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