Algae ID?

Muchcunfooz · 04/29/2018, 02:05 PM

I’ve had this algae growing on my rocks for about a month now. The tank is about 6 months old. I tried searching for this type of algae but it was really difficult to find any info on it. Does anyone know what type of algae it is and what I should do to get rid of it / if I should get rid of it?

Parameters:
pH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 400
Alkalinity 11dKh
Nitrate 0

AlSimmons · 04/29/2018, 02:22 PM

If your referring to the green stuff on the rocks it's probably just a prelude to Coralline algae. (especially if it's hard to remove) It should turn pink or purple given time and the proper conditions.

Muchcunfooz · 04/29/2018, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

If your referring to the green stuff on the rocks it's probably just a prelude to Coralline algae. (especially if it's hard to remove) It should turn pink or purple given time and the proper conditions.

That’s really good news. I tried scrubbing it off with a toothbrush but it wouldn’t budge. Is there any rough time estimate for how long it’ll take to take to completely change to purple or is it dependent on many factors? It’s just kind of ugly to look at and doesn’t contrast well with the corals.

AlSimmons · 04/29/2018, 02:36 PM

It's kind of hard to say exactly when it will change, but within the first year or so your tank is going to go through all kinds of changes.

On a side note; did you use all dry rock? From what I understand Coralline algae needs to be introduced to a tank, it doesn't just show up out of the blue. Just as an example I had a fish only tank with LACE rock one time. I had Diatoms, I had Cyanobacteria, but never any Coralline algae. The parameters were well within reason & the lighting was sufficient too.

Muchcunfooz · 04/29/2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

It's kind of hard to say exactly when it will change, but within the first year or so your tank is going to go through all kinds of changes.

On a side note; did you use all dry rock? From what I understand Coralline algae needs to be introduced to the tank, it doesn't just show up out of the blue.

I started with all dry rock except for one piece of coralline-covered live rock to seed the tank and speed up the cycle. I can already see small spots of purple coralline all over the other rocks.

AlSimmons · 04/29/2018, 02:42 PM

OK cool.. It's probably just a matter of time then.

Just out of curiosity though what's your Magnesium at? The link below might help.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Muchcunfooz · 04/29/2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

OK cool.. It's probably just a matter of time then.

Just out of curiosity though what's your Magnesium at? The link below might help.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

I don’t have a magnesium or phosphate test kit, so I don’t know the parameters of either one.

mcgyvr · 04/30/2018, 05:32 AM

Just looks like new tank green film algae to me..
Some say its a precursor to coralline.. I find thats usually not the always the case and its just a green algae that is very common in new tanks..

I'm aware you said 6 months too.. It could be sticking around more/longer in your tank due to excessive lighting or whatever.. First 8+ months to me are still a "new tank"

AlSimmons · 04/30/2018, 12:17 PM

Not "film" algae.. Didn't you see that a toothbrush woundn't cut it? Damn... Slow down mcgyvr. I'd hate to add you to the list...

Anemone · 04/30/2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Just looks like new tank green film algae to me..
Some say its a precursor to coralline.. I find thats usually not the always the case and its just a green algae that is very common in new tanks..

I'm aware you said 6 months too.. It could be sticking around more/longer in your tank due to excessive lighting or whatever.. First 8+ months to me are still a "new tank"

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

Not "film" algae.. Didn't you see that a toothbrush woundn't cut it? Damn... Slow down mcgyvr. I'd hate to add you to the list...

Okay, how about new tank surface algae?

I agree, it's a shade of green most "new" tanks experience.

Kevin

AlSimmons · 04/30/2018, 05:26 PM

lol, you can do better than that Anemone. (grey) Now your in question...

mcgyvr · 05/01/2018, 04:34 AM

Some film algae comes off easily.. Other does not..
Not sure why you think to be a film algae it must come off with a toothbrush..
I routinely need to bust out the metal scraper to remove some film algae from the front glass in my tank..

04/30/2018, 05:32 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Just looks like new tank green film algae to me.. Some say its a precursor to coralline.. I find thats usually not the always the case and its just a green algae that is very common in new tanks.. I'm aware you said 6 months too.. It could be sticking around more/longer in your tank due to excessive lighting or whatever.. First 8+ months to me are still a "new tank" __________________ Who me?

05/01/2018, 04:34 AM	#12
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Some film algae comes off easily.. Other does not.. Not sure why you think to be a film algae it must come off with a toothbrush.. I routinely need to bust out the metal scraper to remove some film algae from the front glass in my tank.. __________________ Who me?

04/29/2018, 02:22 PM	#2
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	If your referring to the green stuff on the rocks it's probably just a prelude to Coralline algae. (especially if it's hard to remove) It should turn pink or purple given time and the proper conditions.

04/29/2018, 02:36 PM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	It's kind of hard to say exactly when it will change, but within the first year or so your tank is going to go through all kinds of changes. On a side note; did you use all dry rock? From what I understand Coralline algae needs to be introduced to a tank, it doesn't just show up out of the blue. Just as an example I had a fish only tank with LACE rock one time. I had Diatoms, I had Cyanobacteria, but never any Coralline algae. The parameters were well within reason & the lighting was sufficient too.

04/29/2018, 02:42 PM	#6
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	OK cool.. It's probably just a matter of time then. Just out of curiosity though what's your Magnesium at? The link below might help. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

04/30/2018, 12:17 PM	#9
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Not "film" algae.. Didn't you see that a toothbrush woundn't cut it? Damn... Slow down mcgyvr. I'd hate to add you to the list...

04/30/2018, 05:26 PM	#11
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	lol, you can do better than that Anemone. (grey) Now your in question...