What is this brown stuff?

MikeInToronto · 01/09/2011, 07:14 AM

I have this brown stuff in the tank. I can't get a very good picture of it but it forms sheets, sort of, and during the day it's furry. I checked my coral books and can't figure it out. I'm pretty sure it's not algae because it has that "fur" that seems to trap stuff in it.

If no one can ID it, I can try to describe it better. It might be obvious to other members, just not me.

Thanks.

AkaSlyGuy · 01/09/2011, 09:17 AM

I believe it is Lobophora Variegata, aka Brown Wafer Algae. I have some, but it is not as fuzzy as yours, maybe your flow is not as high as mine. I have read that Naso Tangs and some urchins will eat it,but I have not tried either. I already have some tangs, but none of them seem to touch it. Sometimes it will "Wafer" up and you can peel some of it off. It is said to thrive in "good water", so there is a bright side

Google it, you will find lots more and better information than I have.

Joe

MikeInToronto · 01/09/2011, 10:15 AM

Hey, thanks for the info. It seems to match.

My flow is pretty high, nominally 46x, so I'm not sure why it's fuzzy. It does grow fast, though. Some sources claim it thrives in high nutrient areas while others claim it doesn't matter. All of them claim it is hard to deal with. I thought it was kind of nice looking but maybe I'll see about keeping it in check. Perhaps I'll add an urchin, temporarily, since there isn't much in the tank an urchin could hurt currently.

Thanks!

ronharel · 01/09/2011, 10:16 AM

something is wrong with your water parameters
how old is the tank?
how often you do your water changes?
does it hard or soft?
is it only the pictures or there is hairy stuff coming out of it?

01/09/2011, 10:16 AM	#4
ronharel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 74	something is wrong with your water parameters how old is the tank? how often you do your water changes? does it hard or soft? is it only the pictures or there is hairy stuff coming out of it? __________________ ron Current Tank Info: 280 galon SPS only. H&S 250 2 x 1260 skimmer 3 vortech 3x400w 14000k usio= hamilton , using fauna marine zeolite system

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01/09/2011, 09:17 AM	#2
AkaSlyGuy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Texas/Arkansas Posts: 295	I believe it is Lobophora Variegata, aka Brown Wafer Algae. I have some, but it is not as fuzzy as yours, maybe your flow is not as high as mine. I have read that Naso Tangs and some urchins will eat it,but I have not tried either. I already have some tangs, but none of them seem to touch it. Sometimes it will "Wafer" up and you can peel some of it off. It is said to thrive in "good water", so there is a bright side Google it, you will find lots more and better information than I have. Joe

01/09/2011, 10:15 AM	#3
MikeInToronto Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 147	Hey, thanks for the info. It seems to match. My flow is pretty high, nominally 46x, so I'm not sure why it's fuzzy. It does grow fast, though. Some sources claim it thrives in high nutrient areas while others claim it doesn't matter. All of them claim it is hard to deal with. I thought it was kind of nice looking but maybe I'll see about keeping it in check. Perhaps I'll add an urchin, temporarily, since there isn't much in the tank an urchin could hurt currently. Thanks!