Red hair algea?

Tiggr Reefer · 10/29/2008, 08:52 PM

Is there an red hair algea?
Over the past few days, my tank has developed a couple of patches of, what I describe as red hair algea. It is only on the sand bed. The "hair" is about 3/4 to 1" in length.
Is anything I need to be concerned with? Will it go away on its own?

gbreynol · 10/29/2008, 09:09 PM

If it is a new tank it is most likely diatoms. Did the tank just finish its cycle? A couple of water changes and some snails will take care of it.

Tiggr Reefer · 10/29/2008, 09:20 PM

No, not a new tank; it has been up and running for 11 months.

Not aware of any mini-cycle going on; last week my nitrates were at 0.

I did scrape a fair amount of algae last weekend; most of it was caught by my filter sock, which I subsequently washed.

Tiggr Reefer · 10/29/2008, 09:27 PM

I had brown diatoms when I established the tank; these are much more red; although not attached to rock or glass, just sitting atop the sand bed.

ILoveReefer · 10/29/2008, 10:42 PM

Sounds like Cyanobacteria. Cyano spreads quickly once it takes hold. What does it feel like, Slimy? Does it fall apart quickly when you try to grab it.

Shewillbemine · 10/29/2008, 10:48 PM

I have small clumps of red hair algae in all my tanks and it seems pretty harmless (assuming it's "hairy").

As another poster said, if it's "slimy" then you have cyano.

rickh · 10/30/2008, 09:18 AM

I have a little red hair algae in my nano. It looks like 1/4" tall red/purple whiskers

I keep it away from the SPS with a little Joe's Juice or 2N NaOH.
R

10/29/2008, 08:52 PM	#1
Tiggr Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wethersfield, CT Posts: 67	Red hair algea? Is there an red hair algea? Over the past few days, my tank has developed a couple of patches of, what I describe as red hair algea. It is only on the sand bed. The "hair" is about 3/4 to 1" in length. Is anything I need to be concerned with? Will it go away on its own?

10/29/2008, 09:09 PM	#2
gbreynol Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Newport, RI Posts: 218	If it is a new tank it is most likely diatoms. Did the tank just finish its cycle? A couple of water changes and some snails will take care of it.

10/29/2008, 09:20 PM	#3
Tiggr Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wethersfield, CT Posts: 67	No, not a new tank; it has been up and running for 11 months. Not aware of any mini-cycle going on; last week my nitrates were at 0. I did scrape a fair amount of algae last weekend; most of it was caught by my filter sock, which I subsequently washed.

10/29/2008, 09:27 PM	#4
Tiggr Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wethersfield, CT Posts: 67	I had brown diatoms when I established the tank; these are much more red; although not attached to rock or glass, just sitting atop the sand bed.

10/29/2008, 10:42 PM	#5
ILoveReefer Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cheektowaga Posts: 851	Sounds like Cyanobacteria. Cyano spreads quickly once it takes hold. What does it feel like, Slimy? Does it fall apart quickly when you try to grab it.

10/29/2008, 10:48 PM	#6
Shewillbemine Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 195	I have small clumps of red hair algae in all my tanks and it seems pretty harmless (assuming it's "hairy"). As another poster said, if it's "slimy" then you have cyano.

10/30/2008, 09:18 AM	#7
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	I have a little red hair algae in my nano. It looks like 1/4" tall red/purple whiskers I keep it away from the SPS with a little Joe's Juice or 2N NaOH. R