I.D. this red/brownish stringy algae

smalls383 · 04/08/2009, 08:54 PM

I have some areas in my tank that have some growth of a redish and brownish algae that looks like a hair or stringy structure. It is very thin and in some areas only 1/4 of an inch and in others looks like it can grow out a couple of inches.

It has started to grow on my sandbed and some areas of rock....is this cyano?

Please ID it and what will eat it.....thanks

1DeR9_3Hy · 04/08/2009, 09:07 PM

Pics will confirm, so if you can get some pronto!

But from the sounds of it, it is probably cyano. Nothing eats it, just give it time and it will go away assuming you are following basic husbandry protocol.

smalls383 · 04/08/2009, 09:28 PM

I tried to take pics....but my camera isnt good enough for super close up shots into a fish tank with MH lights.....But all params are on check.

Probably going to try out the lights out method....no CUC's will eat this??

MartinEric · 04/08/2009, 09:31 PM

pics would help, could be dinoflagellates

smalls383 · 04/08/2009, 09:34 PM

ok....let me try my camera skills again

Flipper62 · 04/08/2009, 09:36 PM

Its most likely CyanoBacteria. You need to increase your water flow & movement to the areas where its growing. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water movement.

Even if you do the " lights out " method, or use the Cyano Chemicals, it will just come back if you dont change the water movement.

Here is a good artical on CyanoBacteria from Capn_hylinur

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288

MartinEric · 04/08/2009, 09:41 PM

And heres an article for Dinoflagellates by Eric Borneman if that will aid you in id as well:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php

smalls383 · 04/08/2009, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the readings.....I dont think that it is red slime. I have seen that before and glad that it is not like that. My camera, though nice, cant take good close shots into bright light.....

I have a friend with a nice camera, will get back later with some good pics.....

Flipper62 · 04/08/2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smalls383
Thanks for the readings.....I dont think that it is red slime. I have seen that before and glad that it is not like that. My camera, though nice, cant take good close shots into bright light.....

I have a friend with a nice camera, will get back later with some good pics.....

Try taking a picture from a few feet away, then in a photoshop software crop the picture. This will blow the picture up in size, but it wont look blured.

LiveRound69 · 04/08/2009, 10:42 PM

i was told before that hair algaes can be many different colors but they thrive off the same thing..high phosphates, and silicates which are provided by the following.....tap water for top offs instead of Reverse osmosis water. overfeedings, & not doing regular water changes.

04/08/2009, 08:54 PM	#1
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	I.D. this red/brownish stringy algae I have some areas in my tank that have some growth of a redish and brownish algae that looks like a hair or stringy structure. It is very thin and in some areas only 1/4 of an inch and in others looks like it can grow out a couple of inches. It has started to grow on my sandbed and some areas of rock....is this cyano? Please ID it and what will eat it.....thanks

04/08/2009, 09:07 PM	#2
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	Pics will confirm, so if you can get some pronto! But from the sounds of it, it is probably cyano. Nothing eats it, just give it time and it will go away assuming you are following basic husbandry protocol. __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

04/08/2009, 09:31 PM	#4
MartinEric Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Middle O' Missouri Posts: 189	pics would help, could be dinoflagellates __________________ __________ Eric "Just A Couple Of Pints And A Sing Song" Current Tank Info: 15gal long, 2x65w Pc, Remora HOT skimmer, softies no fish. 30gal breeder, 6x39w t-5, Remora HOT skimmer, Mixed reef. 20gal long, 2x65w Pc, frag tank.

04/08/2009, 09:36 PM	#6
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Its most likely CyanoBacteria. You need to increase your water flow & movement to the areas where its growing. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water movement. Even if you do the " lights out " method, or use the Cyano Chemicals, it will just come back if you dont change the water movement. Here is a good artical on CyanoBacteria from Capn_hylinur http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288 __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

04/08/2009, 09:41 PM	#7
MartinEric Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Middle O' Missouri Posts: 189	And heres an article for Dinoflagellates by Eric Borneman if that will aid you in id as well: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php __________________ __________ Eric "Just A Couple Of Pints And A Sing Song" Current Tank Info: 15gal long, 2x65w Pc, Remora HOT skimmer, softies no fish. 30gal breeder, 6x39w t-5, Remora HOT skimmer, Mixed reef. 20gal long, 2x65w Pc, frag tank.

04/08/2009, 09:28 PM	#3
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	I tried to take pics....but my camera isnt good enough for super close up shots into a fish tank with MH lights.....But all params are on check. Probably going to try out the lights out method....no CUC's will eat this??

04/08/2009, 09:34 PM	#5
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	ok....let me try my camera skills again

04/08/2009, 10:31 PM	#8
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Thanks for the readings.....I dont think that it is red slime. I have seen that before and glad that it is not like that. My camera, though nice, cant take good close shots into bright light..... I have a friend with a nice camera, will get back later with some good pics.....

04/08/2009, 10:42 PM	#10
LiveRound69 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KY USA Posts: 183	i was told before that hair algaes can be many different colors but they thrive off the same thing..high phosphates, and silicates which are provided by the following.....tap water for top offs instead of Reverse osmosis water. overfeedings, & not doing regular water changes. __________________ LR69 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon Reef