Name that algae!

[lanman]

Before I start my weekly scrubbing - here is the algae that I'm plagued with on plastic parts (and frag disks). What is it? Any suggestions for eliminating it?

 

 

Thanks,

bob

[wolfman]

green slime, it might be a flow problem

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Hard to tell from your pic, but it might be hair algae also.

 

If I knew how to get rid of it, I'd tell you I have a bit of an outbreak right now.

I'm currently working on biological meaure #3, having failed with #1 and #2.

 

tim

[lanman]

green slime, it might be a flow problem

 

Flow as in flow through the sump and back into the tank? Or just water movement? Because I have a powerhead pointed right at that spot that moves water pretty well. But I do have some concerns about the main pump being a bit on the wimpy side.

 

bob

[YBeNormal]

I think it's caused by having beautiful blue palys in the tank. I could help you resolve that issue though.

[jason the filter freak]

Can I name the algae bob? I think bob is a good name, it's a strong name, is a good name. It seems like a slime algae to me as well. Have you done a phosphate test lately?

[wolfman]

Water movement

[lanman]

Can I name the algae bob? I think bob is a good name, it's a strong name, is a good name. It seems like a slime algae to me as well. Have you done a phosphate test lately?

 

Well... I keep hearing a Phosphate test must be done when you do NOT have algae. I have a bag of Rowaphos in the sump right now. Reducing the lights by an hour slowed it down - maybe I'll try reducing them some more.

 

bob

[Lee Stearns]

How quick does the stuff come back after you wipe it down?

Also, I would be willing to help on your blue paly or zoa? problem when they get fragable LMK.

[mogurnda]

Looks like Derbesia. Yucky awful hair algae. Flow, skimming, patience.

[lanman]

How quick does the stuff come back after you wipe it down?

Also, I would be willing to help on your blue paly or zoa? problem when they get fragable LMK.

 

A little bit in the corners is visible 24 hours later. Within 3 days, the frag rack is slightly coated. After a week, it looks like the picture, then I clean it again. I did notice after cleaning that I had a few bits of hair algae left on some of the frags. So I've been placing my queen conch on each frag, and letting it go to town. Because there isn't really much algae other than on the frag rack and pumps, I find the snails are pretty hungry, and they are happy to clean the frags for me. Unfortunately they have a heck of a time negotiating the rack itself.

 

bob

[F&Fmgr]

what is the kH and pH?

 

sean

[lanman]

what is the kH and pH?

 

sean

 

My measurements are pretty steady at:

Temp 77.9

Salinity 1.025

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0.05

Nitrate 0

pH 8.2 (with pH meter)

Alk 2.1

CA = 390

 

all but CA (Salifert) and pH (electronic meter recently calibrated) taken with a Red Sea test kit.

 

HOWEVER - I just got a different ALK test kit (Marineland - distributed by Aquarium Systems), and it has been reading 3.5 (meq/L) = 9.8 dK/h. Store was out of Salifert kits.

 

bob

[F&Fmgr]

In my experience that type of algae has grown in tanks/systems that lacked in aeration and alkalinity...the cause of that would be slow tank turnover and quite possibly an accumulation of acids particularly carbonic acid. Ive seen it grow in tanks that essentially were on the softer side of ideal mineral levels. I might recommend increasingflow through the displayso that your skimmer passes more water more often.

 

I've never really been a fan of ph meters....a good Test kit like Hach or lamotte is best IMO.

 

Just my two cents.

[lanman]

In my experience that type of algae has grown in tanks/systems that lacked in aeration and alkalinity...the cause of that would be slow tank turnover and quite possibly an accumulation of acids particularly carbonic acid. Ive seen it grow in tanks that essentially were on the softer side of ideal mineral levels. I might recommend increasingflow through the displayso that your skimmer passes more water more often.

 

I've never really been a fan of ph meters....a good Test kit like Hach or lamotte is best IMO.

 

Just my two cents.

Well, it reads about .1 lower than my Red Sea test kit. So I figure they are both probably pretty close. The ALK is the one I am still doubting. And I'm told that is one of the most important measurements. I don't think I can do more flow-through until I move everything into the 58; I have a Mag-Drive 7 for that one. Scheduled for NEXT weekend if I can get all the bits and pieces together. AND I plan to get a much larger skimmer. And thanks for reminding me to go clean the skimmate. And polish the throat of it, per someone else.

 

bob

[lanman]

How about salinity? Could high salinity cause that problem? I just replaced my cheap salinity measurer with a mass spectrometer. Okay - whatever they call that thing - a refractometer. Calibrated it carefully and it says my water is 1.030. The other thing said it was 1.025.

 

bob