what to do?

[roho]

This grass, Macro algae I think, started as some as I put live rock in this tank over 8 months ago. It is getting thicker and thicker and new patches starting on different rock. It is kinda stiff to touch. I believe hair algae is finer. I'm not sure about that tho. Can someone tell me what it is and how to get fid of it? Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

The pics a wee bit blurry. Is it brittle, the structure being like that of cane or bamboo (sectional)?

 

[roho]

It feels almost like fine nylon strings of the same length. There is also some red of the same in the tank. It is not sectional nor brittle. It has a smooth fill on the side of the blades. It you put your hand down on it, it feels kinda like a 1/2 inch hair cut.

 

[Anonymous]

Um..if I didn't know better (not saying I do), I'd say that was your friend and.. not mine! LOL..! Heh, I crack myself up.. Anyway, sure looks like HAIR ALGAE to me.

 

[roho]

But does hair algae come in the color red also? I've never seen hair algae , until maybe now. If it is, what do you do for it. I have been running PC lighting until yesterday, when I changed to MH.

 

[Anonymous]

I suppose it could, but red would more likely be a cyanobacterial issue. Thing is, they BOTH speak to a problem exporting nutrients. Check the library here:
http://www.reefs.org/library
and I'm doing you a favor doing a search on hair algae for you.
http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/websearch.pl

Also, good information from this site. Read and learn.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macralgalgcontfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidalgprobmarfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm

 

[roho]

Thanks for your help with the search. I have had red slime algae before and it was not like this. All water test have been great for months now and the red is exactly like the green. This green grass, for lack of another description. started growing just a day or so after I put the live rock in the tank 8 months ago. Anyway thanks.

 

[roho]

This grass that was in one of your links looks exactly like mine. Chlorodesmis fastigiata. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm