Algae Identification (with pic)

whiterabbit.50 · 01/17/2009, 02:18 PM

Hello Everyone,

My tank has been running for a month now, Im running rowaphos and all my parameters are good except for my nitrates which are at or under 20ppm.

I've noticed this algae growing on the back glass and on the input for the protein skimmer. It keeps growing but it is not spreading really fast. None of my snails are eating it. I dont think its hair algae because I have a bit of that on the output of my trickle filter, and this does not look like that. Can anyone tell me what it is and if it is bad?

(picture should be vertical)

Thanks!

Gools · 01/17/2009, 09:24 PM

might be dinoflagellets?

Gools · 01/17/2009, 09:26 PM

might be dinoflagellets, or maybe Diatoms since your tank is only a month old.

whiterabbit.50 · 01/17/2009, 09:40 PM

these almost look like macro aglae, they seem to "sprout" from a single point and grow long "stems" with little leaves. they start out as little stubs on the glass, they aren't slimy and they dont spread out like a film.

any other ideas?

thanks!

mborn · 01/17/2009, 09:57 PM

Looks like Bryopsis to me.

tmz · 01/18/2009, 12:20 AM

I have some of it. Sort of neon green and wiry. It's not like the typical fernlike bryopsis. It also just tacks itself on the glass. Comes off the galss easily with a toothbush.

01/17/2009, 02:18 PM	#1
whiterabbit.50 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 67	Algae Identification (with pic) Hello Everyone, My tank has been running for a month now, Im running rowaphos and all my parameters are good except for my nitrates which are at or under 20ppm. I've noticed this algae growing on the back glass and on the input for the protein skimmer. It keeps growing but it is not spreading really fast. None of my snails are eating it. I dont think its hair algae because I have a bit of that on the output of my trickle filter, and this does not look like that. Can anyone tell me what it is and if it is bad? (picture should be vertical) Thanks!

01/18/2009, 12:20 AM	#6
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I have some of it. Sort of neon green and wiry. It's not like the typical fernlike bryopsis. It also just tacks itself on the glass. Comes off the galss easily with a toothbush. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

01/17/2009, 09:24 PM	#2
Gools Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 795	might be dinoflagellets?

01/17/2009, 09:26 PM	#3
Gools Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 795	might be dinoflagellets, or maybe Diatoms since your tank is only a month old.

01/17/2009, 09:40 PM	#4
whiterabbit.50 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 67	these almost look like macro aglae, they seem to "sprout" from a single point and grow long "stems" with little leaves. they start out as little stubs on the glass, they aren't slimy and they dont spread out like a film. any other ideas? thanks!

01/17/2009, 09:57 PM	#5
mborn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 346	Looks like Bryopsis to me.