Help on Algae ID

[RadioPlay]

Could anyone give me some insight on a couple algaes that are showing up in my 55g. The first picture is agae that is covering my SB, you can see the bubbles gathering underneath it. I'm just curious if it is diatoms or cyano.

The second picture is fuzzy green tags that are showing up on a few pieces of LR. Thanks

[RadioPlay]

Second pic

[zhenya]

The first pic I think is showing a classic cyano and second,I have no clue at all

[kevinpo]

You are correct Gene on the first one. It usually clears up in newer tanks (6-10 months old) in 3-4 months on it's own. If it bothers you too much you can vacuum it up. The second one is a calcareous algae that also appears in tanks less than 18 months old and IMO can be quite attractive. Most fish won't eat either one (with some rare exceptions). Both Queen and Fighting Conch will eat the red cyno and are very helpful in keeping the sand nice and white. They will never climb on your rockwork which is an added bonus if you have frags there that are easily knocked over.

HTH,
Kevin

[Reinhold]

Hey RadioPlay, that is definitely Cyano (Red Slime.) I had two queen Conch's which were unable to handle my Cyano outbreaks, (although I'd recommend them because they are fun to watch moving around and growing.) I had to use Red Slime Remover, which cleared it up in two days with no harmful effects.

I'm wondering if the second shot is some sort of sponge. I had similar creatures, only they were white.

That 55 you have is some sort of algae magnet!!

[kevinpo]

RadioPlay,
Neomeris annulata is the scientific name for your second algae picture. Here is a link:
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/reefalg...20annulata.htm

Regards,
Kevin

[RadioPlay]

Thanks guys for the ids, I figured that the first was cyano.

Thanks Kevin for the link, it is a very unique algae. Do you know if emerald crabs are worth looking into or should I wait out the algae bloom. The tank is in it's first few months so I kind of expected this but I didn't realize cyano was part of establishing a tank.

Reinhold
, I've heard the gruesome history of the mysterious "55g Algae Magnet," it's been known to take down even the best reefers in a blink of an eye.;)

When you used red slime remover would that eliminate the source completely or did you have to use it a number times.

Thanks again

[Reinhold]

I used the Red Slime Remover once, left it in for 24 hours, and then skimmed it out over another day. I never needed to retreat the tank, and I never saw any deleterious effects.

There are many reefers who will argue that chemical removal of red slime is not desireable, but I think it's OK.

[zt allstar]

I have used Red Slime Remover with mixed results. Yes, it did not in any way harm anything in my tank (clams, lps, couple of sps frags, fish). After using it I have since come to the conclusion that it only masks a problem, not corrects it. My tank could not handle the amount I was feeding, among other things. I dosed red slime remover only to have it come back. I have purchased a much better skimmer and have been more careful with the amount and frequency of feedings, and no slime for over six months. I'm a believer that nutrients in versus nutrients out is a very, very important aspect to this endeavor. If you can't get more out than in you're in for trouble. Trust me I have messed up.

[kevinpo]

RadioPlay,
I don't like to have any crabs in my reef. I just don't trust them but that's just me.

I had a few spots 1'x1' of red cyno on my sand bed at about the 3rd or 4th month. It lasted for about 90 days. I did nothing but vacuum it a few times but it came right back. After about 90 days it suddenly disappeared in 2 days. It's been 13 months since it was gone without a sign of it.

Regards,
Kevin