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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 5

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 6Marine 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 32SW Algae ID 33SW Algae ID 34SW Algae ID 35SW Algae ID 36SW Algae ID 37SW Algae ID 38SW 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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Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Algae identification For the past few months, I have had a rather obnoxious algae bloom in my tank that I have a few ideas as to its origin (poor maintenance, overfeeding, loss of previous macro algae colony due to Rabbitfish)... <All possible influences> Anyhow, I am looking for a possible identification of this rather irritating algae so I can combat it properly and quickly.  Attached is a picture of the algae in question. <Very likely some sort or mix of blue-greens... likely feel slimy to the touch>   This algae is primarily growing on my LR and the back glass of the aquarium, as well as the overflow and output tubes.  It generally stays off the substrate.  If easily identified, is there any particular creature that may see this as a bountiful garden in which he can graze happily in? <Not likely... other means to control exist> As for tank parameters, I have a 135gal reef setup where the "normal" tests come up clean; ammonia = 0, Nitrate = 0, Nitrite = 0, Calcium is a little low due to the poor maintenance issue stated above - around 380ish, Phosphate = 0 (test kit may need to be replaced due to age), PH = 8.2, salinity 1.022 (ish - hard to tell with exact accuracy with my hydrometer). I run a red sea Berlin protein skimmer in my 39 gal fuge / sump.  As for livestock, I have a rather large green carpet Anemone, 3 Clarki clowns, 1 royal Gramma, 1 sailfin tang, 1 yellow Rabbitfish (that ate my previous macro algae colony almost overnight), 1 flame angel, 1 scooter dragonet, about 40 or so Astrea snails, 20 or so narcissus snails, <Heee! Are they in love with themselves >;> 40 or so various hermit crabs, and a small variety of hard and soft corals (mostly mushrooms, button polyps, and a good sized  encrusting Montipora. The love rock weighs in about 100 - 150lbs (possibly more, I forgot). Overall, the tank has been up for almost 4 years.  The algae appeared here and there in small patches, but nothing that was really worrisome until about 2 months ago at which time I added the Rabbitfish to the tank in hopes he would take a liking to the algae.  Instead he munched the good stuff that I wanted to keep. <Wouldn't you?>   Also around that time I added an automatic feeder that feeds twice daily.  This I know is adding a larger amount of nutrients to the tank due to the fact that it provides quite a bit more food than I was previously.  (my belief is that this is the root of the problem).  I have hence cut back on the amount of food delivered by the feeder, though I have not seen any immediate result (this was a few days ago that I did this).    Any insight as to this particular algae would be most appreciated. Thanks Andy <Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the related archives (linked, in blue, at top) where you lead yourself. Bob Fenner>

Where Did That Ogo Go-Go? (Mystery Gracilaria ID) Hi, <Hi there! Scott F. at your service!> We received a type of Red Gracilaria that differed from the branchy type in that it was rather flattish, somewhat transparent and "slimy."  Our tangs loved it and it seemed to grow better than the thin branchy type.  I found a picture at one time that indicated the species was from Japan.  The Caulerpa smothered it out and of course I can't find the picture/type now. Any idea what the name of it was or where it could be obtained? Thanks, Doug <Well, Doug- I believe that I have encountered this species before, myself. I think that it may be G. salicornia, but you may need to do some internet searches to be sure. University of Hawai'i maintains a nice database on macroalgae with links that may be of interest...I highly recommend checking it out. Best of luck on your search! Regards, Scott F.>

Macroalgae ID Question Dear Crew, <Hello, Ryan with you today> I REALLY appreciate all the efforts that you all put into this website. I have learned a lot from your collective insights. <Wonderful to hear> The two attached photos are from my nano reef. Both growths sprouted from my live rock. I would appreciate somebody positively identifying what they are. I have researched both. I think the green worm looking things are Neomeris annulata. I have not come up with a definitive answer especially for the reddish algae. <The green algae in your attached photo is most certainly Neomeris annulata.  Harmless, calcium loving macroalgae.  For the red algae, I'm at a loss.  I have seen it before, but have never heard the name.  I'd pick up Airlie books, "Marine Plants of the Caribbean" for further info.> The green worm looking things are growing in length but do not seem to be spreading. Are they any threat to grow out of control or should I just continue to enjoy them and leave them alone. <The latter.  They'll be a good indicator for calcium levels.> The unnamed reddish algae is spreading like wildfire and I need to know how, or even if it is possible, to control it. <Control nutrients, increase water flow in the area.  I'd manually remove it with gloves, and throw it in the garbage.  Try and get all of it!> Thanks again for your collective wisdom. <Anytime!  Good luck, Ryan>
Mark

Black growth on live rock Hi, I have a question regarding a black growth on my live rock. I have included pictures for it. The black growth seems to be spreading rather fast. It has a velvety feel to it, and every time I scrub it off, it seems to return. <Is it slimy at all? Likely a blue-green algae... though could be a green... Have to look under a microscope to discern even to Division> I have checked out all of my params and they seem to be normal. I have had this live rock for over a year, in my 72 gal. tank. Inhabitants include just one blackbird wrasse. I am using a remora pro skimmer and a HOB refugium, doing Bi-weekly water changes. The wrasse seems to be acting normal, so I do not think that it is affecting her. Do you have any suggestions as to what this could be? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time. <Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm and where the Related Articles and FAQs (linked, in blue, at top), lead you. There are a few simple ways to direct or limit pest algal growths... as you will see. Bob Fenner>

Algae ID? 11/21/04 I have an 80 gal fish only with live rock that has been up for about 9 or 10 months.   Occupants are a couple of emerald crabs, snails, a royal Gramma and an ocellaris clown.  I have lots of algae!  Am running an Aqua C remora pro skimmer, carbon and poly filter in the wet and dry which also has those ceramic thingies in it.  Tank is not drilled so no sump.  Placed on of those SEIO power heads about a week ago.  In addition to stuff I can identify like Halimeda and Valonia and I think a species of Caulerpa, I have hair algae and the green stuff that forms a carpet on the bottom that traps gases and starts to float above the sand bed (deep sand bed).   <a BGA or dinoflagellate perhaps> I have recently started to get what closely resemble those fungi bracts that one sees growing on tree branches and such in the forest.  These form at the edges of the live rock and grow quite large and mushroom like.  Any thoughts as to what they are would be quite helpful <this latter algae sounds very much like Lobophora... do  search for pics with this name on Google/WWM, etc> as would thoughts on the green carpet like micro algae.  Nitrates consistently test 0.  Have plenty of happy purple coralline in the tank.  Don't have a test kit for phosphate.  The fish are fed pellet food sparingly, lighting is NO, 105 watts total.  Thanks! <do focus on making that skimmer produce coffee-dark, near daily cups of skimmate and you will starve the algae into submission in 3 weeks or less, I assure you. No worries :) Anthony>

I think its a kelp??? <A red algae of some sort. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm and on to the related articles and FAQs files (linked, in blue, at top). Bob Fenner>

IDing macrophytes, marine plants > Hi Ryan, < Hi Bill, MacL here with you today, Ryan must be busy.> Thank you for your advice and answer to my questions. <We try!> I think you're right about the blue tang 12 inch full grown would be rather big for a 75gal. <Definitely so you'll need to make future plans for the guy now.> Anyway just wanted to let you know I am lucky enough to have copepods in my system some on glass and a lot more swimming at top of water. <Wonderful!!>  My damsels seem to like them too. The plant in my fuge is not a mangrove tuber it has flat foliage long and kind of jagged edges and is all under water. <Sounds like feather Caulerpa to me.>  Any info on this plant or macro algae would be appreciated. Do you know of any site about identifying marine plants. <www.algaebase.org is an amazing site for algae identification, you might look there MacL> Thanks again for your help, <Good luck Bill> Bill Seaweed ID? This one might be kinda odd. Many years ago I dated a woman who was working on her masters in something marine biology related. It was great fun to go to aquariums because she'd always point out and name the things in the tanks that didn't have signs and give a little info about them and why they were used. Now, I don't know why this random thing has popped into my head, or why it's haunting me now, but her favorite seaweed (algae?) was something called analipos. I think. I really don't think I  remember the name correctly because nothing comes up when I Google it, but I'm very certain it was something close to this. I think it was brown and hair-like, but again, I could be wrong. Got any ideas? Does it ring a bell? This is driving me nuts. <Mmm, nothing comes to mind with this name but do take a look through our photos, descriptions of the algae most often used/encountered in the ornamental marine aquarium interest. These are divided into groups (largely identifiable by color): The index is here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marinvind1.htm Good luck, Bob Fenner>

Need an Algae ID Adam, You asked that I send more pics as this algae grew.  It is doing wonderfully, pushing 6" in diameter now.  As it was on Atlantic rock, I'm thinking it's Rosenvingea (I finally found a drawing of Rosenvingea, and it's pretty much dead on).  Do I have that right or is Scanaia more likely? << I'll say Rosenvingea sanctae-crucis.  Looks awesome! >>  'Course, it doesn't really matter as it's a really nice surprise whatever it is. << That's the truth. >> Only problem now is how to propagate it. << Well you can propagate it by hand, but the best thing to do is to let it grow onto other rocks, then pull them apart. >> I have several friends that would like some of it too, but I'm afraid if I cut on it I'll kill it. << Yah, I'd wait until it has really stabilized and is growing well. >> Thanks, << Thanks for the update, I love algae. >> Tom
<<  Blundell  >>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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