Hair Algae - turning redish brown

shakestheclown · 03/29/2006, 08:20 PM

I have a hair algae outbreak, to which I think I have solved the problem of elevated nutrients.

The question I have concerns the current state of the algea. It was the run of the mill green hair algae, which I was able to pull clumps out of the tank.

The growth has seemed to stop spreading, but all of the algae in the tank has turned a redish brown and seems to almost dislove in my hand when I try and "prune" it out.

Beside better tank maintenance, the only change the system has been the addition of kalk drip to keep the PH between @ ~8.2 to 8.3.

Does anyone know if this may be simply an indication of the algae dying? Or something worse.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Sk8r · 03/29/2006, 08:40 PM

That's a different kind of algae. It still responds to nutrient levels, and light levels. It's not nice stuff. If it's mostly on your sand, you may want a sand-sifter of some sort (conchs are good) to keep it clean.

shakestheclown · 03/29/2006, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the insight, but it is the same growth.

Its not cyano. When I say it is turning colors, it is. The same patch that was green last week has changed to reddish brown this week. I hope it is only dying. I say I think it is dying because it breaks up - almost like melting - in my hands.

Porkibear · 03/29/2006, 09:51 PM

Just keep doing frequent water changes, monitor your parameters closely, and scale back your lighting...see if it starts "dissolving" on its own.

Silencer · 03/29/2006, 09:53 PM

Just tagging along as my tank is going through the exact same thing (like you, I assume it's simply the hair algae dying out, doesn't seem to be causing any problems).

shakestheclown · 03/29/2006, 10:10 PM

Thanks - I've been doing about 30 gallons (~25%) per week and plan on continuing until this problem is gone

mikenpam · 03/30/2006, 12:54 AM

My tank did the same thing and the algae that went from green to res is now gone and the rock is clean.

shakestheclown · 03/30/2006, 09:42 AM

thanks - it sounds like this is the life cycle. I started to worry because my last tank went through an algae cycle, but could not recall this change in color.

03/29/2006, 08:20 PM	#1
shakestheclown Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 14	Hair Algae - turning redish brown I have a hair algae outbreak, to which I think I have solved the problem of elevated nutrients. The question I have concerns the current state of the algea. It was the run of the mill green hair algae, which I was able to pull clumps out of the tank. The growth has seemed to stop spreading, but all of the algae in the tank has turned a redish brown and seems to almost dislove in my hand when I try and "prune" it out. Beside better tank maintenance, the only change the system has been the addition of kalk drip to keep the PH between @ ~8.2 to 8.3. Does anyone know if this may be simply an indication of the algae dying? Or something worse. Thanks for any input you may have.

03/29/2006, 08:40 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	That's a different kind of algae. It still responds to nutrient levels, and light levels. It's not nice stuff. If it's mostly on your sand, you may want a sand-sifter of some sort (conchs are good) to keep it clean. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/29/2006, 09:53 PM	#5
Silencer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 655	Just tagging along as my tank is going through the exact same thing (like you, I assume it's simply the hair algae dying out, doesn't seem to be causing any problems). __________________ Going to Brasil for a while so all aquarium stuff is being sold...

03/29/2006, 09:34 PM	#3
shakestheclown Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 14	Thanks for the insight, but it is the same growth. Its not cyano. When I say it is turning colors, it is. The same patch that was green last week has changed to reddish brown this week. I hope it is only dying. I say I think it is dying because it breaks up - almost like melting - in my hands.

03/29/2006, 09:51 PM	#4
Porkibear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 186	Just keep doing frequent water changes, monitor your parameters closely, and scale back your lighting...see if it starts "dissolving" on its own.

03/29/2006, 10:10 PM	#6
shakestheclown Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 14	Thanks - I've been doing about 30 gallons (~25%) per week and plan on continuing until this problem is gone

03/30/2006, 12:54 AM	#7
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	My tank did the same thing and the algae that went from green to res is now gone and the rock is clean.

03/30/2006, 09:42 AM	#8
shakestheclown Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 14	thanks - it sounds like this is the life cycle. I started to worry because my last tank went through an algae cycle, but could not recall this change in color.