Need help ID macro algae from laguna beach, CA

[Fizzman]

I need some help ID in some macro algae/seaweed/kelp I picked up from laguna beach, CA(picked up from the actual ocean) . If I can get the ID I can figure out if it'll be suitable for my reef tank.

Also, I have ever a side question, it had a bunch of critters on it(pods and such I think), any chance they are harmful to corals? If they are amphipods and such, even though they are from Southern CA they are the same as the ones from the live rocks right?

 

[jraker]

Those are some tough ones. The first one looks to be Gracilaria Parvisipora, and so does the second one. I couldn't find much on that species besides this page, and both the pictures look like the first and second pictures you have. The third one looks to be some sort of haliptilon sp. Pods are beneficial and will not harm corals.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Yeah, I don't think you're going to get a positive ID on these. I'd say they are suitable for your tank if you like them and want to keep them. I'd guess California macros are adapted to pretty cool temps, so that could make them unsuitable. Do you know the water temp where you found them?

 

[BlueCat1949]

I agree with Michael Hoaster on the temp thing. Some may be able to adapt to the higher temps in your aquarium but I doubt going from 50to high 60s in the ocean to high 70's in your tank is a good idea. I would try and grow them out in a separate tank and keep raising the temp and see how they do.

 

[Fizzman]

In general when it comes to macro algae, if it doesn't make it, there no crazy detrimental effect to the tank right? Like sure the dead tissue might mess with chemistry a little but nothing a water change won't solve right? I want to keep it but not at the expense of permanent issues in the tank. Or at least long term issues

 

[Fizzman]

Oh the temp of the water is probably 65 degrees

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Unless something harmful hitchhikes in on them, they shouldn't cause any problems if they don't make it.

 

[Fizzman]

Update it didn't survive, the red/pink was started to stink so I threw it out, kept the rock that it was stuck on but then that got fuzzy so in hindsight it probably wasn't the algae the stank but whatever is dead in the rock, but I just threw it all out just to be safe.