Agae ID, please HELP!

[milano07]

Hi everyone,

This brown algae is starting to spread to all the liverock in my tank. I wonder if you guys can help to find out what type of algae this is so I can find the best way to get rid of it. It seems that this type of algae grows around the zoas and does not let them multiply anymore. This algae came on a piece of liverock that I picked up from another reefer.

Here are a couple of pics and hopefully we can ID this stuff.

[christyf5]

might be easier to identify if you kept it in the water and then took the photo? it looks like brown snot to me

[milano07]

Originally Posted by christyf5

might be easier to identify if you kept it in the water and then took the photo? it looks like brown snot to me

These pictures were taken tonight. It's the best I can do and hopefully it will be good enough to get some feedback on how to get rid of this stuff. Is there an invertebrate or fish that eats this stuff?

These first 2 shots were taken without flash




All the following pics were taken with flash.











Any feedback is much appreciated.

[Myka]

Looks more like bacteria than algae to me...possibly a dinoflagellate. Does it stick to the rocks real good or does it come off easily? It it's stuck on there well then I'm wrong - dinos and bacteria will peel off easily. If it's stuck on there then looks like maybe a brown turf algae.

Essentially they are all treated the same (some particulars) - a person has to lower nutrients in the tank. Watch maintenance, look for settling detritus behind the rocks, start siphoning it a couple times per week or at least during weekly water changes. You can siphon sand too. A GFO reactor comes in real handy. Be sure to not over-feed. Feed pellets only if you can. Employ a good quality over-sized skimmer. ETC.

[milano07]

Originally Posted by Myka

Looks more like bacteria than algae to me...possibly a dinoflagellate. Does it stick to the rocks real good or does it come off easily? It it's stuck on there well then I'm wrong - dinos and bacteria will peel off easily. If it's stuck on there then looks like maybe a brown turf algae.

Essentially they are all treated the same (some particulars) - a person has to lower nutrients in the tank. Watch maintenance, look for settling detritus behind the rocks, start siphoning it a couple times per week or at least during weekly water changes. You can siphon sand too. A GFO reactor comes in real handy. Be sure to not over-feed. Feed pellets only if you can. Employ a good quality over-sized skimmer. ETC.

This stuff does not come off easily. I know what turf algae looks like and I don't think this is it. I have researched the net hoping to find some info on this stuff but I have found nothing that looks like it.

The only thing that I have changed recently is one of the T5 bulbs. It was time to change one of the ATI Aquablues and instead I went for a 6500K bulb.

There are only 2 small fish in the tank and I don't feed much. I'll follow your advice and I'll do frequent w/c and feed even less. Thanks for the input.

Keep the feedback coming

[Myka]

That bulb could do it. As soon as light is below 10,000K it will promote algae. Algae loves that light. Personally, I don't believe bulbs under 10,000K belong on a reef - they are for refugiums imho. You cuold try switching to a higher Kelvin, but now that the problem has presented itself you will probably have to do more than just change bulbs. The problem was waiting to happen anyway, and it sounds like the new low Kelvin bulb tipped the scale.

Waterchanges will only go so far. GFO is a must imo. A good skimmer will help a lot, along with a filter sock in the sump. If you don't have a skimmer and a sump get one of those filer baskets you can put on a MaxiJet, hook it up to a MJ and use some bulk sheets of filter media. Cut them a little over-sized, wrap them around the filter basket, and use elastic bands at the top and bottom to secure them. This is like making a DIY filter sock and really helps when you are having algae issues.

[gobytron]

If your phosphates etcetera are in check, a 6700k bulb or two seems to increase my growth speed.

[CandyCane]

Critters that eat algea would be Tangs, angelfishes, some blennies, rabbitfishes, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and many kinds of snails. Also sea slugs can be found that feed on some rare algea's like yours.

[Myka]

Urchins can make a huge difference. Good post Lisa!