Wiry algae?

[ZeeSparrow]

My Google-fu is failing me. I have a coarse, wiry green algae all over my rock. Very small amount also in the sand, about 2 weeks after a WC. Tank has been cycled for 7 months. Had a lot of bryopsis, a little GHA and this; used Kent Tech M to raise magnesium levels just above 1800 to combat the bryopsis but it has done nothing to the other algae. There is still a little GHA but this stuff is quite long and very coarse or wiry. I actually don't mind the GHA that I have, but this crap is annoying.

Is this just another type of GHA, or something else? I assume the same principles apply, but without a confirmation of the type of algae, it's just an assumption.

The attached picture is a good example.

 

[brett7768]

google bryopsis

 

[s_kelley]

Yup briopsis

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Wiry algae?

Did you read my post?

For clarification I am taking about the long single strands of algae. Not the clumps of GHA or the fern (obvious bryopsis).

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I would have said Cladophoropsis but it doesn't get as long as what you have in the photo. Is yours spreading by runner?

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Not that I can tell. It's just long single strands. I can pull it off but sometimes it breaks off and I haven't been able to pull it all out.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Oh and in addition to Kent Tech M (mg is over 1800 and has been for a month), I'm running GFO so phosphate shows at 0.006 per Hanna ULR. Nitrates at 0.5-1.0 per Salifert. Alk is 8.3, Ca 425.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

If it gets bad you can use AlgaeFix. That kills many types of algae and if you follow the directions when measuring, it's safe. But maybe if you keep breaking it off it won't grow back? Keeping your phos and nitrate that low, maybe the mystery algae won't have enough nutrients and die out.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks Morgan. I wish I knew what type of algae it was, though I suppose it doesn't really matter. The bryopsis is mostly gone through the Kent Tech M treatment (brought the level up to 1850+ over about a week and have been lowering via WC for two months now, not one as originally stated). I also have a little GHA but that provides food for the CUC, tuxedo urchin and lawnmower blenny.

Going back through pictures, it seems this really took off only in the last month or so. I suspect I was overfeeding and have since scaled that back. The algae problem was a LOT worse two months ago. I do remove what I can manually, though I'll be a bit more aggressive about it and see if I can't get the upper hand.

There is a 96 page thread in the chemistry forum on AlgaeFix that I'll start to go through now. :eek2:

 

[cloak]

Maybe this link will help with an identification.

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsesectiongroups.php?SectionID=14

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Thanks Cloak. It's probably just some form of hair algae gone wild! With the power outage last month, I probably just let things go for a bit too long. I've done two clean-up sessions today; toothbrush, nylon bristle brush, brine shrimp net and tweezer mania! The worst rock was moved to the sump. Never liked it anyway. I'm now skimming wet and have filter floss between the baffles of the sump to catch strays (newly placed this morning, replaced once already). I'll replace GFO if necessary during WC tomorrow.

Edited to add - I also ordered Julian Sprung's book on algae. Why not? Will wait on any other changes until after I've had a chance to look through that.