I.D. this red/brownish stringy algae

[smalls383]

I have some areas in my tank that have some growth of a redish and brownish algae that looks like a hair or stringy structure. It is very thin and in some areas only 1/4 of an inch and in others looks like it can grow out a couple of inches.

It has started to grow on my sandbed and some areas of rock....is this cyano?

Please ID it and what will eat it.....thanks

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Pics will confirm, so if you can get some pronto!

But from the sounds of it, it is probably cyano. Nothing eats it, just give it time and it will go away assuming you are following basic husbandry protocol.

 

[smalls383]

I tried to take pics....but my camera isnt good enough for super close up shots into a fish tank with MH lights.....But all params are on check.

Probably going to try out the lights out method....no CUC's will eat this??

 

[MartinEric]

pics would help, could be dinoflagellates

 

[smalls383]

ok....let me try my camera skills again

 

[Flipper62]

Its most likely CyanoBacteria. You need to increase your water flow & movement to the areas where its growing. CyanoBacteria wont grow where there is good water movement.

Even if you do the " lights out " method, or use the Cyano Chemicals, it will just come back if you dont change the water movement.

Here is a good artical on CyanoBacteria from Capn_hylinur

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=288

 

[MartinEric]

And heres an article for Dinoflagellates by Eric Borneman if that will aid you in id as well:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php

 

[smalls383]

Thanks for the readings.....I dont think that it is red slime. I have seen that before and glad that it is not like that. My camera, though nice, cant take good close shots into bright light.....

I have a friend with a nice camera, will get back later with some good pics.....

 

[Flipper62]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14790236#post14790236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smalls383
Thanks for the readings.....I dont think that it is red slime. I have seen that before and glad that it is not like that. My camera, though nice, cant take good close shots into bright light.....

I have a friend with a nice camera, will get back later with some good pics.....

Try taking a picture from a few feet away, then in a photoshop software crop the picture. This will blow the picture up in size, but it wont look blured.

 

[LiveRound69]

i was told before that hair algaes can be many different colors but they thrive off the same thing..high phosphates, and silicates which are provided by the following.....tap water for top offs instead of Reverse osmosis water. overfeedings, & not doing regular water changes.