Positive algae ID required , please

Discussion in 'Algae' started by tripnbili, Jun 6, 2010.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. tripnbili

    tripnbili Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Messages:
    238
    Location:
    Grey Street
    My tank is only about 2 months old...it's a 75g and everything was transferred over from a 20g nano. Specs can be found in my signature. Almost everything is new (PVC plumbing, tank, overflow system, 30g sump tank, frag rack, and also 50lbs base rock). Could this just be a big diatom bloom or is it something else?

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Messages:
    4,427
    Location:
    SE South Dakota
    Yep it's all the new plastics releasing silicates. It'll pass.
     
  4. crappyballer

    crappyballer Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    723
    Location:
    630, IL
    what you have there is a GHA (green hair algae) outbreak, better test for phosphates
     
  5. tripnbili

    tripnbili Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Messages:
    238
    Location:
    Grey Street
    Ummm...the picture may be a bit misleading...the color is brown...dark brown actually...

    Phosphates test -0- I know I have a few spots of hair algae and about 3 bubbles of bubble algae....but they look nothing like this...to me it appeared like a diatom bloom, but wasn't quite sure. I know the macro in my fuge is eating up phosphates before they can get tested for...

    Anyone else???
     
  6. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2010
    Messages:
    4,427
    Location:
    SE South Dakota
    oomph..I didn't click the pic before. That ain't diatoms and your getting 0's because they are being used up by that algae. Which I do believe is gha as well.
     
  7. tripnbili

    tripnbili Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Messages:
    238
    Location:
    Grey Street
    Here's another shot...

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Messages:
    11,284
    Location:
    shenzhen Guangdong PRC
    [​IMG]

    that seems to have a feathery appearance to me?
    it does not look like diatoms

    it looks like a bryopsis species , but Im no expert and I hope I am wrong

    Steve
     
  10. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2010
    Messages:
    4,780
    Phosphates will always test near or at 0 when you have an algae problem. The algae will take all of the phosphates in the water and bind them while making more algae.

    The amount of algae you have is actually a better indicator of how much phosphate is in the tank than a test kit would be.
     
  11. tripnbili

    tripnbili Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Messages:
    238
    Location:
    Grey Street
    It does look a bit feathery to me too...I'll try to get a better pic tomorrow, the lights just kicked off. If it is bryopsis, what's a good solution?

    I've been toying with either the Vodka dosing or Zeovit ideas...any thoughts?
     
  12. tripnbili

    tripnbili Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2010
    Messages:
    238
    Location:
    Grey Street
    Just checked out the nuisance algae thread...if I can ID as bryopsis tomorrow, then I'll try the Mg solution and post results....thanks for the help!