is this red slime or coralline?

kkil4life · 09/08/2009, 09:57 AM

I have this red algae type thing growing on some of my rocks, it looks really nice, but I don't know if its red coralline or red slime algae

how do I differentiate?

here are some pics

first one is with FLASH

this ones a close up
a little blurred but I couldn't get a better pic

this one is a normal shot of how the whole are looks
notice the red on the rocks just behind the damsel

Wolverine · 09/08/2009, 09:59 AM

From those pics, probably coralline.
Blow water on it with a PH or wave your hand really vigorous next to it. If it blows away, it's cyano; if it stays there, it's coralline.

carolina reefer · 09/08/2009, 10:13 AM

Coralline is hard and brittle. Feels like rock. Anything else is not coralline.

kkil4life · 09/08/2009, 03:40 PM

here are a couple of pics with lights out and with the flash on

what do you guys think?

Wolverine · 09/08/2009, 04:26 PM

Did you touch it or increase the waterflow over it, as mentioned above?

turtleone · 09/08/2009, 05:57 PM

It looks like red cyno to me from what ive seen coraline has more purplish color to it

jbird69 · 09/08/2009, 05:59 PM

looks like cyanobacteria. Take a toothbrush to it. if it doesnt budge its coraline.

AquaMANNN · 09/08/2009, 06:43 PM

its def. slime

blumoon reefers · 09/08/2009, 07:01 PM

I think it looks like cyano also. But try the toothbrush or powerhead.

koranAngel · 09/08/2009, 07:12 PM

defin cyano

seen a few tank tank exactly same colouration even
a cheap lfs has it all over his setups

mattypw · 09/08/2009, 07:43 PM

you might want to try using a turkey baster to blow it off. Coralline won't come off, but cyano will.

Wolverine · 09/08/2009, 08:12 PM

I've had coralline algae that color, so that alone doesn't cinch it (especially when you also add in issues of white balance and the photo side of things); but I agree that the more recent pics look more suspicious for cyano.

mattypw · 09/08/2009, 09:14 PM

If it is cyano, thats not necessarily a bad thing. it actually helps your water quality by consuming the excess nutrients that would otherwise pollute your water.

RhetoricUni · 09/08/2009, 09:17 PM

how about some water specs to guide the guessing game.

sedor · 09/08/2009, 09:20 PM

Only bad thing about cyano is it looks horrible and it means you are not mainting pristine water conditions. All of us pretty much have problems with it from time to time, just keep your water quality up and it will go away. You could consider running a phosphate remover like GFO or Rowaphos.

jbird69 · 09/08/2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattypw
If it is cyano, thats not necessarily a bad thing. it actually helps your water quality by consuming the excess nutrients that would otherwise pollute your water.

I have had cyano overtake and smother/kill corals. Cyano should not be taken lightly.

mattypw · 09/08/2009, 10:09 PM

I agree, it almost smothered my green star polyps. I just mean it its an indicator of excess nutrients and it is consuming these nutrients to get rid of them (which is why it grows)

Flipper62 · 09/08/2009, 10:36 PM

I have to agree with Wolverine. I have coralline in my tank that is the same color as cyano. BUT its not Cyano.....I know the difference.

The true test is to use a turkey baster & puff the rock, if it blows away its CyanoBacteria.

One way to keep Cyano away is WATER MOVEMENT. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water flow.

Here is a good artical on CyanoBacteria, from Capn-hylinur
http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288

Also one from Albert Thiel.
http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

mattypw · 09/09/2009, 10:15 AM

+1

SDB2224 · 09/09/2009, 01:10 PM

ya looks like cyano too me also

Sisterlimonpot · 09/09/2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flipper62
I have to agree with Wolverine. I have coralline in my tank that is the same color as cyano. BUT its not Cyano.....I know the difference.

I agree I have some coralline that is the exact same color as cyano.

erbio · 09/09/2009, 08:34 PM

Definitely red slime/cyano.

kkil4life · 09/10/2009, 01:28 AM

I will try the scrubbing/powerhead method, but I think it might be red slime, because when I touched it with my hand it seemed a little soft/slimy
my water specs are all in the good range with the exception of nitrates and phosphates, 25ish and 0.5 the last I checked.
Will update later today

erbio · 09/10/2009, 10:19 AM

Run some GFO. That will take care of it. Scrubbing it would likely spread it around.

kikireef · 09/10/2009, 12:48 PM

Definetly cyano. Increase flow and run GFO in a reactor and it will disapear in no time. You could also skim a little "wet" and shorten the photo period.

09/08/2009, 09:57 AM	#1
kkil4life Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 517	is this red slime or coralline? I have this red algae type thing growing on some of my rocks, it looks really nice, but I don't know if its red coralline or red slime algae how do I differentiate? here are some pics first one is with FLASH this ones a close up a little blurred but I couldn't get a better pic this one is a normal shot of how the whole are looks notice the red on the rocks just behind the damsel

09/08/2009, 09:59 AM	#2
Wolverine RC Mod Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 17,732	From those pics, probably coralline. Blow water on it with a PH or wave your hand really vigorous next to it. If it blows away, it's cyano; if it stays there, it's coralline. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -Douglas Adams Current Tank Info: 14g, 29g nano reefs

09/08/2009, 04:26 PM	#5
Wolverine RC Mod Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 17,732	Did you touch it or increase the waterflow over it, as mentioned above? __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -Douglas Adams Current Tank Info: 14g, 29g nano reefs

09/08/2009, 05:59 PM	#7
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	looks like cyanobacteria. Take a toothbrush to it. if it doesnt budge its coraline. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

09/08/2009, 06:43 PM	#8
AquaMANNN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 21	its def. slime __________________ Because I said so Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef

09/08/2009, 10:13 AM	#3
carolina reefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 118	Coralline is hard and brittle. Feels like rock. Anything else is not coralline.

09/08/2009, 03:40 PM	#4
kkil4life Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 517	here are a couple of pics with lights out and with the flash on what do you guys think?

09/08/2009, 05:57 PM	#6
turtleone Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 62	It looks like red cyno to me from what ive seen coraline has more purplish color to it

09/08/2009, 07:01 PM	#9
blumoon reefers Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 449	I think it looks like cyano also. But try the toothbrush or powerhead. __________________ Chuck and Milissa Current Tank Info: 150 gal with 40b sump/fuge

09/08/2009, 07:12 PM	#10
koranAngel always on ** at work Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 436	defin cyano seen a few tank tank exactly same colouration even a cheap lfs has it all over his setups __________________ y did i start this hobby Current Tank Info: 500lt main tank 39g fuge sump....sohal tang purple tang 2clown,coral beauty banana wrasse coris wrasse royal doty cleaner shrimp coral banded shrimp flame angel bicolour angel sphinx goby cuc mixed corals

09/08/2009, 07:43 PM	#11
mattypw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 184	you might want to try using a turkey baster to blow it off. Coralline won't come off, but cyano will.

09/08/2009, 08:12 PM	#12
Wolverine RC Mod Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 17,732	I've had coralline algae that color, so that alone doesn't cinch it (especially when you also add in issues of white balance and the photo side of things); but I agree that the more recent pics look more suspicious for cyano. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. -Douglas Adams Current Tank Info: 14g, 29g nano reefs

09/08/2009, 09:14 PM	#13
mattypw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 184	If it is cyano, thats not necessarily a bad thing. it actually helps your water quality by consuming the excess nutrients that would otherwise pollute your water.

09/08/2009, 09:17 PM	#14
RhetoricUni Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Denver Posts: 56	how about some water specs to guide the guessing game. __________________ "I'm a bitter changed man with out clarity" - Rhet Current Tank Info: Slow and steady!

09/08/2009, 09:20 PM	#15
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Only bad thing about cyano is it looks horrible and it means you are not mainting pristine water conditions. All of us pretty much have problems with it from time to time, just keep your water quality up and it will go away. You could consider running a phosphate remover like GFO or Rowaphos. __________________ Ryan

09/08/2009, 10:09 PM	#17
mattypw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 184	I agree, it almost smothered my green star polyps. I just mean it its an indicator of excess nutrients and it is consuming these nutrients to get rid of them (which is why it grows)

09/08/2009, 10:36 PM	#18
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I have to agree with Wolverine. I have coralline in my tank that is the same color as cyano. BUT its not Cyano.....I know the difference. The true test is to use a turkey baster & puff the rock, if it blows away its CyanoBacteria. One way to keep Cyano away is WATER MOVEMENT. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water flow. Here is a good artical on CyanoBacteria, from Capn-hylinur http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288 Also one from Albert Thiel. http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm __________________ 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

09/09/2009, 10:15 AM	#19
mattypw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 184	+1

09/09/2009, 01:10 PM	#20
SDB2224 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: pasadena Posts: 246	ya looks like cyano too me also

09/09/2009, 08:34 PM	#22
erbio Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 625	Definitely red slime/cyano.

09/10/2009, 01:28 AM	#23
kkil4life Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 517	I will try the scrubbing/powerhead method, but I think it might be red slime, because when I touched it with my hand it seemed a little soft/slimy my water specs are all in the good range with the exception of nitrates and phosphates, 25ish and 0.5 the last I checked. Will update later today __________________ vote for the rice experiment thread for August thread of the month http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1886199 THE RICE TRAIN HAS ARRIVED AT YOUR LOCAL STATION

09/10/2009, 10:19 AM	#24
erbio Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 625	Run some GFO. That will take care of it. Scrubbing it would likely spread it around.

09/10/2009, 12:48 PM	#25
kikireef Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chino at The Preserve Posts: 1,107	Definetly cyano. Increase flow and run GFO in a reactor and it will disapear in no time. You could also skim a little "wet" and shorten the photo period. __________________ Keith SCMAS Member Tank Info: 120 gallon 48"x30"x20" Leemar Rimless. 2 MP40w, 1 MP10w, SROsss Skimmer, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Neptune Apex Controller with WXM module. 2 BRS dosing pumps. Check my homepage for the build...