red bubble algae

[hiepatitis]

i have this weird red algae that has bubbles about 1/16 inch in diameter. how do i get rid of it. should i increase the photoperiod of my refugium. right now it turns on about an hour after the actinics and off maybe 2 hours before they come back on. how about emerald crabs?

 

[bluenassarius]

mexican turbo snails, urchins will do the trick

 

[hiepatitis]

don't those guys knock over hecka stuff?

 

[bluenassarius]

yeah they do.

 

[Blue_FuManChu]

algea

algea

sound like you have red slime algea. i believe there is one thread on red algea. good luck!

 

[hiepatitis]

does red slime have spherical spores? i thought it was just a film?

 

[Marc Daniels]

No, it doesn't have the spherical growth. It's is a slime type of "encrusting" growth. I don't know if the Turbos will eat it, they are capable of eating quite large alage, but the urchin may take to it. Where is the alage? If it is isolated to a single rock, just take the rock out, place it in a 5g bucket of SW w/o any light and it should die off i na few weeks.

 

[hiepatitis]

it spread to a few rocks so i can't isolate it. the rocks have corals on them too. how much are urchins?

 

[Fragmented]

Start here to learn all you ever wanted to know about Cyanobacteria:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm

Follow the other links to more info on control.

Bob Fenner and many other experts will be speaking at the Western Marine Conference. There is still time to sign up online.

http://www.wmc2006.org/default2.aspx

 

[hiepatitis]

thanks for the replies. i don't think it's red slime like marc said though. how do i post pics on here. i'll try to let you guys see what it looks like.

 

[Marc Daniels]

Does it look like any of these?

Or any of these at www.algaebase.org

These are all species in the genus Botryocladia. You often see this genus for sale labeled as "Red Grape Caulerpa", or simply "Red Algae on Rock". There are no red Caulerpa species, they are all green.

If you want to get rid of it, and your tank is nbig enough, I would suggest maybe a simple yellow tang. He may not get rid of it all, but he will keep it cropped down to a nub. Just feed him lightly and let him graze naturally.

 

[hiepatitis]

that's it. the third picture looks exactly like the crap growing on my rocks. man i really don't like yellow tangs but if they'll do the job. is a 45 gallon big enough

 

[Marc Daniels]

Now that you know the species, it's Botryocladia botryoides, you can do some research and find a predator.

 

[hiepatitis]

thanks a bunch marc i will do some research

 

[AIMFish]

Finding the thread a little late, but why not let it grow?

 

[hiepatitis]

i heard that it can take over. i read that emerald crabs eat buble algae and i think the species that marc gave me was considered buble algae. i just read that urchins do a good job too but can eat coralline as well. maybe i'll just get that yellow tang

 

[Marc Daniels]

Bubble algae is Valonia sp, and looks like this

 

[hiepatitis]

thanks marc

 

[lilleahseafreak]

the red stuff grows slow, very slow!!!(well in my tank atleast) if it has "branches" then it is the red grape/grape kelp stuff and is a macro algae people want to buy and trade for. i have not had a problem w/it growing way outta hand. it is a good thing to have.