Algae identification and resolution:

L98-Z · 11/25/2008, 05:02 PM

What type of algae is this and how might I go about removing it?

This is what it looks like if it falls off the glass. It stays clumped together for the most part. Very easy to remove.

This is my main issue with it, other than looking ugly, is that it falls onto corals. It's very easy to siphon up, which is what I've been doing, but within the next day it's laid back down onto the corals.

Then of course.... I have two rocks full of hair algae.

This is in 180 gallon tank, total system is probably around 220 gallons. Octopus DNW-250 skimmer. I'm running carbon and GFO from Bulkreefsupply. Only a few fish, I'm certain this bioload isn't excessive.

My clean up crew consists of main crabs, and a few snails, which continue to be killed off daily as my crabs show off their new shells.

tmcgaughey · 11/25/2008, 07:02 PM

i sometimes get it on my sand if i don't have good circulation in that spot
dunno what it is

L98-Z · 11/25/2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tmcgaughey
i sometimes get it on my sand if i don't have good circulation in that spot
dunno what it is

I have it on my sand, but not really that bad.

BPKlein · 11/25/2008, 08:00 PM

Is it reddish brown and has bubbles trapped in it, kinda slimy, easy to pick or scrape off? It is probably dinoflagellates. If it is killing your turbo and astrea snails, then it IS dinoflagellates. There seems to be a lot of this going around lately.

Removal is very difficult, but seems the most recommended methods include extended periods of light out, dripping kalk at night to raise PH to 8.5, reduced feedings and possibly the removal of the rock to cook in the dark. Some have gone to the extent to remove and replace all of the sand. The biggest one is do NOT do water changes. The new water fuels this stuff. Don't run GFO either. Some have said that the extra iron helps feed this stuff also.

I am nearing the end of my battle with this stuff. I did all of the above except removing the rock and sand, so I can't say which one thing might have done the trick.

Take it slow and you will win the battle.

Bryan

L98-Z · 11/25/2008, 08:03 PM

Interesting. It doesn't appear to be killing my snails, or atleast that I know of. It certainly looks like dinoflagellates though. Well this sucks.

L98-Z · 11/25/2008, 08:09 PM

Very similar to this:
http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/n...s-diatoms.html

Except this guy has it even worse than I do.

L98-Z · 11/25/2008, 08:14 PM

hmm, google seems to indicate that dinoflagellates is very toxic?

My crabs appear to enjoy eating this stuff. I've seen emerald crabs eat it all day. Confusing.

BPKlein · 11/25/2008, 08:26 PM

My crabs seem to eat it too, but not near fast enough.

See if you can find someone that knows how to tell the difference between this and other algae with a microscope. Something about the cellular structure of dino's is different, but I can't remember what it is.

L98-Z · 11/26/2008, 08:14 AM

I guess I'll keep siphoning out as much as I can.

matthewscars · 11/26/2008, 08:27 AM

treat it with 3 days of lights out. That will take care of most of it.

Do you have Chaeto or other nutrient exporters? Using RODI? you know the drill

Also, is this tank new? Looks like you have major Nitrate/Phos issues.

L98-Z · 11/26/2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by matthewscars
treat it with 3 days of lights out. That will take care of most of it.

Do you have Chaeto or other nutrient exporters? Using RODI? you know the drill

Also, is this tank new? Looks like you have major Nitrate/Phos issues.

I do have chaeto, I am using RODI water. Yes, the tank is somewhat new. Approximately 2-3 months I believe.

What are the effects of the 3 days of lights off on fish/corals?

What would be causing a major nitrate/phos issue?

mckostya · 11/26/2008, 09:58 AM

your fish/corals will be fine for three days without lights. Lights off will not feed this algae and most of it will probably die, however this is only a short term effect, as it will eventually come back. You need to locate the source and see whats causing all this breakout. Overfeeding, not enough flow, old bulbs and etc...

crvz · 11/26/2008, 11:28 AM

Nitrate/phosphate issues are due to, in the simplest terms, higher nutrient import than export. If you're not skimming the water well, siphoning collected wastes, minimizing feeding, blowing off the rocks from time-to-time, and doing good water changes, it's pretty easy to build up junk in the tank. That usually will break down and create nutrient issues.

11/25/2008, 05:02 PM	#1
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	Algae identification and resolution: What type of algae is this and how might I go about removing it? This is what it looks like if it falls off the glass. It stays clumped together for the most part. Very easy to remove. This is my main issue with it, other than looking ugly, is that it falls onto corals. It's very easy to siphon up, which is what I've been doing, but within the next day it's laid back down onto the corals. Then of course.... I have two rocks full of hair algae. This is in 180 gallon tank, total system is probably around 220 gallons. Octopus DNW-250 skimmer. I'm running carbon and GFO from Bulkreefsupply. Only a few fish, I'm certain this bioload isn't excessive. My clean up crew consists of main crabs, and a few snails, which continue to be killed off daily as my crabs show off their new shells.

11/25/2008, 08:26 PM	#8
BPKlein Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 70	My crabs seem to eat it too, but not near fast enough. See if you can find someone that knows how to tell the difference between this and other algae with a microscope. Something about the cellular structure of dino's is different, but I can't remember what it is. __________________ Bryan 135 Gallon LPS/Softie, T5 Lights

11/26/2008, 08:27 AM	#10
matthewscars Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 657	treat it with 3 days of lights out. That will take care of most of it. Do you have Chaeto or other nutrient exporters? Using RODI? you know the drill Also, is this tank new? Looks like you have major Nitrate/Phos issues. __________________ A plane passed silently overhead, the streetlights, and the buds on the trees and the night, were still. Current Tank Info: 90g Reef/35g Sump with Foam Rock Wall. 10g Propagation Reef. 55g Goldfish Tank.

11/26/2008, 11:28 AM	#13
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Nitrate/phosphate issues are due to, in the simplest terms, higher nutrient import than export. If you're not skimming the water well, siphoning collected wastes, minimizing feeding, blowing off the rocks from time-to-time, and doing good water changes, it's pretty easy to build up junk in the tank. That usually will break down and create nutrient issues. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

11/25/2008, 07:02 PM	#2
tmcgaughey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 353	i sometimes get it on my sand if i don't have good circulation in that spot dunno what it is

11/25/2008, 08:00 PM	#4
BPKlein Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 70	Is it reddish brown and has bubbles trapped in it, kinda slimy, easy to pick or scrape off? It is probably dinoflagellates. If it is killing your turbo and astrea snails, then it IS dinoflagellates. There seems to be a lot of this going around lately. Removal is very difficult, but seems the most recommended methods include extended periods of light out, dripping kalk at night to raise PH to 8.5, reduced feedings and possibly the removal of the rock to cook in the dark. Some have gone to the extent to remove and replace all of the sand. The biggest one is do NOT do water changes. The new water fuels this stuff. Don't run GFO either. Some have said that the extra iron helps feed this stuff also. I am nearing the end of my battle with this stuff. I did all of the above except removing the rock and sand, so I can't say which one thing might have done the trick. Take it slow and you will win the battle. Bryan

11/25/2008, 08:03 PM	#5
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	Interesting. It doesn't appear to be killing my snails, or atleast that I know of. It certainly looks like dinoflagellates though. Well this sucks.

11/25/2008, 08:09 PM	#6
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	Very similar to this: http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/n...s-diatoms.html Except this guy has it even worse than I do.

11/25/2008, 08:14 PM	#7
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	hmm, google seems to indicate that dinoflagellates is very toxic? My crabs appear to enjoy eating this stuff. I've seen emerald crabs eat it all day. Confusing.

11/26/2008, 08:14 AM	#9
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	I guess I'll keep siphoning out as much as I can.

11/26/2008, 09:58 AM	#12
mckostya Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 145	your fish/corals will be fine for three days without lights. Lights off will not feed this algae and most of it will probably die, however this is only a short term effect, as it will eventually come back. You need to locate the source and see whats causing all this breakout. Overfeeding, not enough flow, old bulbs and etc...