[James]

The micron bag that I had in my sump really helped in limiting the green algea in my display tank by trapping the algea spores. Since I removed it, I have seen alot more green algea growth in my tank, But alot more Coraline algea also...???

Question - Could the micron bag be trapping the Coraline algea spores also? preventing the Coraline algea from speading to other parts of the tank???

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by James

Question - Could the micron bag be trapping the Coraline algea spores also? preventing the Coraline algea from speading to other parts of the tank???

Im sure that is possible, but would that warrant not using the micron sock so you could expand on coralline growth? I personally dont think so. Coralline growth is not reliant on nuntrients/detritus like green nuisance algae is, im assuming that you are not referring to coralline algae when you say green algae?

[James]

Originally Posted by scubadude

Im sure that is possible, but would that warrant not using the micron sock so you could expand on coralline growth? I personally dont think so. Coralline growth is not reliant on nuntrients/detritus like green nuisance algae is, im assuming that you are not referring to coralline algae when you say green algae?

No green algea and coraline algea are completly different, trust me What I'm asking is; Can a micron sock keep Coraline algea from spredding to other parts of the tank by trapping the Coraline spores?

[Reefland]

Personally I wouldn't think that a sock would catch any free floating algae spores. If water can pash through it...

Is it possible that you seen a reduction in your nusiance algae for other reasons than the sock? I mean did you do more aggressive water changes, etc.?

[James]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Personally I wouldn't think that a sock would catch any free floating algae spores. If water can pash through it...

Is it possible that you seen a reduction in your nusiance algae for other reasons than the sock? I mean did you do more aggressive water changes, etc.?

Micron socks have been proven to collect free floating green alea spores. If I can find the article I'll post it for you.

I didn't see a reduction in algea, I saw more algea after I removed the micron sock. Water chemistery and how often I did a water change had nothing to do with it.

My question Again is; If a micron sock has been proven to catch free floating green algea spores, is it possible that it could also be catching spores of Coraline Algea also, preventing the spread of it?

[Reefland]

I'd be interested to see that article if you happen to find the link.

Based on your statement that they have been proven to catch algae spores then I would say they could catch any algae spore; whether green or purple.

[James]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I'd be interested to see that article if you happen to find the link.

Based on your statement that they have been proven to catch algae spores then I would say they could catch any algae spore; whether green or purple.

It was an Article in FAMA by Duane Clark Called "Don't sweat the green stuff...Controlling algea in your aquarium.
Went to FAMA web site but they don't have a copy posted to the internet. Its in the September 2004 issue if you have a copy or know someone who does.

If this is true about micron socks, and if I wanted coraline algea to spead thoughout the tank, should I go without the micron sock? I don't see any harm in not using one except for the excessive green algea growth that I'm now getting by not using a sock. What do You think?

[tatuvaaj]

I tried to find information about the coralline algae spore size but couldn't find anything on the internet (other than one paper that was not available online).

[Reefland]

Well...

Your not getting green algae because your not using a micron filter; your getting algae growth because there are nutrients present that are fueling it. Somewhere, nutrients are being added to the tank (tap water perhaps) or is accumulating from something (lack of water changes, detritus build up, etc.) and just supplying what this algae needs to prosper. If the micron filter was helping to reuce the nusiance algae, it was a temporary fix and not eliminating the root cause.

On the coralline, I think it will spread throughout the tank if your using a micron filter or not. If the micron filter does in fact capture the spores there are still going to be some present in the display prior to the filter.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by James

If this is true about micron socks, and if I wanted coraline algea to spead thoughout the tank, should I go without the micron sock? I don't see any harm in not using one except for the excessive green algea growth that I'm now getting by not using a sock. What do You think?

Do you remember what size micron bag they were talking about? Obviously a 200 micron bag won't trap any algal spores but a 1 micron bag would. I believe most of the micron bags that I have seen advertised are either 100 or 200 microns but I'm sure they offer them in smaller sizes, too.

I was unable to find anything definitive on the exact size of coralline carpospores but I suspect you would need a very fine micron filter sock to trap them. I did find one reference that said that spores of the Rhodophyta ranged in size from 10 to 100 microns and all corallines are Rhodophytes. I hope that was accurate.

[kevinpo]

A filter sock will not prevent coralline algae from growing in your tank. If the water conditions are correct you should be able to turn a rock mostly purple in about a month. I run twin 40 watt UV sterilizers that kill almost all free floating spores. I still have coralline growing at the rate of a dime size patch in a week. Removing coralline from my thermometer, glass, ect. is one of my least favorite jobs. It's a real pain be careful what you wish for

HTH,
Kevin