Please ID this leafy algae

Discussion in 'Algae' started by boostednlinefor, May 22, 2011.

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  1. boostednlinefor

    boostednlinefor Fire Worm

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    I originally posted about this stuff a while back (http://www.3reef.com/forums/algae/what-fish-invert-will-eat-algae-109577.html) and was advised to try some emerald crabs. They immediately started chowing down on the stuff but slipped in to the rocks within a few minutes and haven't been seen since. If they are still alive, they aren't even making a dent, so I need to do something else.

    I spent a few hours picking as much out as I could last week, siphoned it all out and now its back and the leaves are just as big or bigger.

    I've been running a BRS reactor with GFO for the last three weeks. My nitrates are also down to 0 and my Chaeto is also starting to grow like crazy again. I don't really have any other kinds of algae problems.

    Will anything eat this?? It would make quite a feast for something. =) My tank is only 46 gal, so no tangs. How about a lawnmower blenny??


    Mag 1300
    Calcium 450
    Alk 2.4ppm
    Ammonia 0
    Nitrite 0
    Nitrate 0
    P04 0 (all stuck in this algae I'm sure)
    RO/DI Water 0 TDS


    p.s who knew the iphone would take a better picture of this stuff than my other camera??
     

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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Looks like it could be Ulva. PM John Maloney from Reef Cleaners he will know.
     
  4. boostednlinefor

    boostednlinefor Fire Worm

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    That was a thought, but I have ulva in the sump and it's a very bright green. This stuff is very pale and grown much more quickly in comparison.
     
  5. boostednlinefor

    boostednlinefor Fire Worm

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    Matter of fact, it looks exactly like this stuff, but without the little spores/spots on the leaves:

    [​IMG]

    source: macro algae index......
     
  6. boostednlinefor

    boostednlinefor Fire Worm

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  7. johnmaloney

    johnmaloney 3reef Sponsor

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    +1 to ulva...like 40 different species, and a few variations. they all look a little different but for our purposes are basically the same.
     
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  9. boostednlinefor

    boostednlinefor Fire Worm

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    Thanks John! Is there anything that I can put in a 46g bow to eat this stuff???

    Most of the older leaves are starting to get holes in it and the only new stuff growing is on the powerheads. If this stuff does start to die off I don't want to be stuck with a fish that won't eat anything else either.
     
  10. johnmaloney

    johnmaloney 3reef Sponsor

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    everything eats ulva basically. borrow a small tang from a friend for a day and let him live in paradise lol....just kidding. emeralds would eat it, urchins, turbos, chitons, sea hares, any herbivorous fish. Turbos are and urchins are probably your best bet