Hair Algae - turning redish brown

[shakestheclown]

I have a hair algae outbreak, to which I think I have solved the problem of elevated nutrients.

The question I have concerns the current state of the algea. It was the run of the mill green hair algae, which I was able to pull clumps out of the tank.

The growth has seemed to stop spreading, but all of the algae in the tank has turned a redish brown and seems to almost dislove in my hand when I try and "prune" it out.

Beside better tank maintenance, the only change the system has been the addition of kalk drip to keep the PH between @ ~8.2 to 8.3.

Does anyone know if this may be simply an indication of the algae dying? Or something worse.

Thanks for any input you may have.

 

[Sk8r]

That's a different kind of algae. It still responds to nutrient levels, and light levels. It's not nice stuff. If it's mostly on your sand, you may want a sand-sifter of some sort (conchs are good) to keep it clean.

 

[shakestheclown]

Thanks for the insight, but it is the same growth.

Its not cyano. When I say it is turning colors, it is. The same patch that was green last week has changed to reddish brown this week. I hope it is only dying. I say I think it is dying because it breaks up - almost like melting - in my hands.

 

[Porkibear]

Just keep doing frequent water changes, monitor your parameters closely, and scale back your lighting...see if it starts "dissolving" on its own.

 

[Silencer]

Just tagging along as my tank is going through the exact same thing (like you, I assume it's simply the hair algae dying out, doesn't seem to be causing any problems).

 

[shakestheclown]

Thanks - I've been doing about 30 gallons (~25%) per week and plan on continuing until this problem is gone

 

[mikenpam]

My tank did the same thing and the algae that went from green to res is now gone and the rock is clean.

 

[shakestheclown]

thanks - it sounds like this is the life cycle. I started to worry because my last tank went through an algae cycle, but could not recall this change in color.