Algae identification

Backer · 02/09/2019, 01:56 PM

Can someone help me identify the algae I have on my rocks. It is a deep maroon color but is not slimy. It feels like velvet when you touch it. Also would like to,know the best way to eliminate it. I have turbo snails in the tank, but do not appear to like it or if they are eating it they are not cleaning it all the way off the rock
IMG_4008.jpg

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FishAndPhysics · 02/09/2019, 02:29 PM

Does it have long tendrils at all? I didn't see any in the picture. If so it might be Gelidium. If not, probably cyano. Is it a high flow or low flow area? Cyano generally likes low flow, gelidum doesn't care.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

How old is the tank? What are your water parameters? Are you using RODI water?

Backer · 02/09/2019, 03:02 PM

It does not appear to have tentacles. Looks more like a thick fur/corduroy. It also is at the bottom of my tank and does not get a lot of water circulation at the bottom. My water parameters are PH 8.0 ammonia 0ppm nitrite 0 ppm nitrate 5 Ppm salinity 1.024. I have not tested phosphates. I use tap water not RO water, but have never had an outbreak of this type of algae. I am planning on starting this tank over from scratch, so just want to get the Live rock clean from algae. The goal is to,add a live sand bed and more live rock. Currently the tank only has live rock. Also have a bio ball filter and want to remove them to use just filter socks.

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FishAndPhysics · 02/09/2019, 03:48 PM

Probably cyano. I would get an rodi if I were you.

mcgyvr · 02/09/2019, 05:12 PM

Please turn the blue channel off or way down when taking identification pictures...Proper color rendition can be very important and all the blue messes up colors and often cause problems with focus too..

Backer · 02/09/2019, 09:00 PM

Here is a picture with the blue channels turned off
IMG_4011.jpg

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T-dub · 02/12/2019, 10:55 AM

If it syphons off easily and comes off in a mat it's cyano

mcgyvr · 02/12/2019, 11:14 AM

Not cyano.. Looks like some form of red turf algae..
An urchin may likely much on it..

Zalick · 02/12/2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backer

Here is a picture with the blue channels turned off
Attachment 399613

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Looks like turf to me. I had some turf once. With proper nutrient control and some scrubbing, mine went away and never came back.

Backer · 02/12/2019, 08:58 PM

It does not siphon off. You have to scrub it off. I am thinking red turf is probably correct. Thanks!

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Uncle99 · 02/13/2019, 05:37 AM

Mexican turbos for the red algae, they don't eat green much, but will remove the red turf completely.

1 for every 10 gallons is plenty.
Place them on the rocks, then redirect their effort back to rocks weekly.

Backer · 02/17/2019, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Mexican turbos for the red algae, they don't eat green much, but will remove the red turf completely.

1 for every 10 gallons is plenty.
Place them on the rocks, then redirect their effort back to rocks weekly.

Uncle, you are correct. I have 4 turbos snails, and at least 1 appears to like the red turf algae. The other graze a little and move off.
I am thinking about turning off the light or reducing the length they are on. What is the light requirements for turbo snails?

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Uncle99 · 02/17/2019, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backer

Uncle, you are correct. I have 4 turbos snails, and at least 1 appears to like the red turf algae. The other graze a little and move off.
I am thinking about turning off the light or reducing the length they are on. What is the light requirements for turbo snails?

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None that I know of......
Mexican for the red....+ lowering nutrients N&P as well.
Mexicans the only one that eliminated all red hair in about 30 days.

02/09/2019, 01:56 PM	#1
Backer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8	Algae identification Can someone help me identify the algae I have on my rocks. It is a deep maroon color but is not slimy. It feels like velvet when you touch it. Also would like to,know the best way to eliminate it. I have turbo snails in the tank, but do not appear to like it or if they are eating it they are not cleaning it all the way off the rock IMG_4008.jpg Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

02/09/2019, 02:29 PM	#2
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	Does it have long tendrils at all? I didn't see any in the picture. If so it might be Gelidium. If not, probably cyano. Is it a high flow or low flow area? Cyano generally likes low flow, gelidum doesn't care. https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide How old is the tank? What are your water parameters? Are you using RODI water? __________________ 90 Gallon Mixed Reef with 20g sump Current Stock: 1 - Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 - Yellow Tang, 1 - Kole Yellow Eye Tang, 1 - unidentified hitchhiker goby, 1 - Coral Beauty, 3 - Lyretail Anthias.

02/09/2019, 03:48 PM	#4
FishAndPhysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: NY Posts: 95	Probably cyano. I would get an rodi if I were you. __________________ 90 Gallon Mixed Reef with 20g sump Current Stock: 1 - Ocellaris Clownfish, 1 - Yellow Tang, 1 - Kole Yellow Eye Tang, 1 - unidentified hitchhiker goby, 1 - Coral Beauty, 3 - Lyretail Anthias.

02/09/2019, 05:12 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Please turn the blue channel off or way down when taking identification pictures...Proper color rendition can be very important and all the blue messes up colors and often cause problems with focus too.. __________________ Who me?

02/12/2019, 11:14 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Not cyano.. Looks like some form of red turf algae.. An urchin may likely much on it.. __________________ Who me?

02/09/2019, 03:02 PM	#3
Backer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8	It does not appear to have tentacles. Looks more like a thick fur/corduroy. It also is at the bottom of my tank and does not get a lot of water circulation at the bottom. My water parameters are PH 8.0 ammonia 0ppm nitrite 0 ppm nitrate 5 Ppm salinity 1.024. I have not tested phosphates. I use tap water not RO water, but have never had an outbreak of this type of algae. I am planning on starting this tank over from scratch, so just want to get the Live rock clean from algae. The goal is to,add a live sand bed and more live rock. Currently the tank only has live rock. Also have a bio ball filter and want to remove them to use just filter socks. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

02/09/2019, 09:00 PM	#6
Backer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8	Here is a picture with the blue channels turned off IMG_4011.jpg Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

02/12/2019, 10:55 AM	#7
T-dub Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Marshall, MN Posts: 214	If it syphons off easily and comes off in a mat it's cyano

02/12/2019, 08:58 PM	#10
Backer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8	It does not siphon off. You have to scrub it off. I am thinking red turf is probably correct. Thanks! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

02/13/2019, 05:37 AM	#11
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Mexican turbos for the red algae, they don't eat green much, but will remove the red turf completely. 1 for every 10 gallons is plenty. Place them on the rocks, then redirect their effort back to rocks weekly.