Algae Identification- please help
 

Hi,

Despite my better efforts I unable to identify what type of algae this is. I've spent the better part of the evening trying to figure it out but they all look the same to me. Could someone please tell me what this is so I can research how to get rid of it BEFORE it takes over my tank.

Picture attached and thanks in advance for your help.

Looks like a type of hair/turf algae.

Looks like Bryopsis hair algae to me. Certain tangs (ie. Naso) might eat it, as well as lawnmower and bi-colour blennies. In addition, emerald crabs might help as well as some urchins, or a sea lettuce slug. You might have higher nitrates & phosphates that you can't detect because the algae is consuming it, so you might notice a decline with larger and more frequent water changes. If your not using RO/DI (reverse osmosis/ deionized) water, it may be a factor as well...

That's regular ole hair algae, not Bryopsis. Bryopsis is a type of hair algae that is feathery instead of grassy or like a green cotton ball. From the pic, yours doesn't look feathery. All nuisance algae are caused by excess nutrients in the water column. Sometimes old bulbs will be a trigger to start the growth, sometimes it just starts on its own, but it is always excess nutrients. Take a read through the link in my signature for all my suggestions to help get rid of nuisance algae.

Good call Mindy, I knew you would correct me on this if was wrong.:wink: It looked like it could be feathery, and long, but looking closer, :crazyeye:its probably just nice and long! I'll put the Bud Light Lime down....:drinking:... just kidding, no I won't! lol!

:lol: I could be wrong...but it doesn't look feathery in the photo. There are a few different kinds of Bryopsis too. To help the OP, this is Bryopsis:

http://reef.pantshead.com/wp-content...ryopsis-vi.jpg


This one is a different kind of Bryopsis:
http://www.com.univ-mrs.fr/IRD/atoll...s/bryopsis.jpg



This is regular hair algae, which is usually Derbesia sp, which I think the OP has:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0905/images/derbesia.jpg



Another shot of Derbesia (regular hair algae):
http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/g.../Derbesia1.jpg

Here are some more algae ID pics. Some common ones people are always asking about.

Dinoflaggelates. Easily confused with diatoms. Notice the stringiness and bubbles:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../Fish027-1.jpg



Diatoms:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/...4e592e.jpg?v=0



Green cyanobacteria:
http://theaquariumwiki.com/images/th...obacteria1.jpg



Red cyanobacteria:
http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...acteria-lg.jpg

Good Algae pics Myka!

LMAO, I meant to add those last 4 pics to a different thread!! :o

Thanks though Carmen! They aren't mine though...just did some Googling to find what I wanted. :)

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the assistance with this. After looking at those great pictures I can definately say it's not feathery. I will read thru the links you provided and see if I can't get this under control.

P.S My bulbs are a year and half old (overdue for replacement).

Thanks!
Nicole