Purple Algae ID
- Thread starter SnowManSnow
- Start date
Cruiznblue
Reefer
Its hard to tell, but just looks like some sort of hair algae. I wouldnt worry about it unless it starts taking over your tank.
IMO, the added color looks kinda nice
IMO, the added color looks kinda nice
dadstank:
I'm guessing you are talking about the smooth type of purple algae that appears on the rocks and the glass and plastic items within the tank. If so, that is corraline algae, and yes it is good. That is what people want in a tank as it covers up the plain white rock surfaces and looks good.
Wade
I'm guessing you are talking about the smooth type of purple algae that appears on the rocks and the glass and plastic items within the tank. If so, that is corraline algae, and yes it is good. That is what people want in a tank as it covers up the plain white rock surfaces and looks good.
Wade
thanks for the reply. i have always been fasinated by the life my father sustained within his tank. he has had a fish tank since, well, since then. and i just finished the 26th year of my life. needless to say i was a kid and never paid any real attention to what he did with it. i have been finding very interesting starter information on this site and i realize that the tank i have inherited is far beyond a beginner's tank.
my father was sick for a while before the tank came to me. i would say it has been nearly neglected for the last four to six months. not to say he didn't feed the tank, nor change water. he did. but most of his supplies in the fish room are depleted. i can't tell if they where recently finished and just not restocked, or if they are old.
Given that this tank has been keep in the best care for a least a solid 7-10 years:
what are the key elements that i should check for?
anything else?
my father was sick for a while before the tank came to me. i would say it has been nearly neglected for the last four to six months. not to say he didn't feed the tank, nor change water. he did. but most of his supplies in the fish room are depleted. i can't tell if they where recently finished and just not restocked, or if they are old.
Given that this tank has been keep in the best care for a least a solid 7-10 years:
what are the key elements that i should check for?
anything else?
Stability... salinity, pH, temperature are the big three. Maintain water changes on a regular basis. Replace lights regularly if it is a reef setup. The key to it all is stability in the end....
If you have questions about specifics, please ask.
Sounds like a great place to begin... dig through our library and read all that you can. Remember that everyone has an opinion, but some of them are way off the mark. Its up to you to decide which are valid or at least the 'best' option.
Do you have any pictures of the tank?
Wade
If you have questions about specifics, please ask.
Sounds like a great place to begin... dig through our library and read all that you can. Remember that everyone has an opinion, but some of them are way off the mark. Its up to you to decide which are valid or at least the 'best' option.
Do you have any pictures of the tank?
Wade
ok then,
here is a specific question:
my father had been talking for the longest time about rearranging the tank. i wanted to buy a fish and a piece of livestock (a small Anemone, and little "nemo" for my nephew) in his honor, but also wanted to place the tank in a different fasion. is there any precations i should take in this process of moving certain rocks and live stock?
can i just reach in and move pieces around? (with extreme care of course)
i should be at the tank tomorrow and will try and snap a few photos of it for you.
here is a specific question:
my father had been talking for the longest time about rearranging the tank. i wanted to buy a fish and a piece of livestock (a small Anemone, and little "nemo" for my nephew) in his honor, but also wanted to place the tank in a different fasion. is there any precations i should take in this process of moving certain rocks and live stock?
can i just reach in and move pieces around? (with extreme care of course)
i should be at the tank tomorrow and will try and snap a few photos of it for you.
Moving things around in the tank should not be a problem. Some prefer more light or more current than others, but it is generally not an issue.
Before you place an anemone in the tank, you must realize two things... first, they require alot of light and second, they require a lot of space. Even a bubble tip (which is the most tolerant of host anemones) can grow to 18" over a few month's time and can kill surrounding corals.
One other consideration is that clowns may not accept an anemone (although they usually will eventually) and may choose to park themselves elsewhere in the tank.
So...
1- What lighting is on the tank currently?
2- What size tank is it?
http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm
Before you place an anemone in the tank, you must realize two things... first, they require alot of light and second, they require a lot of space. Even a bubble tip (which is the most tolerant of host anemones) can grow to 18" over a few month's time and can kill surrounding corals.
One other consideration is that clowns may not accept an anemone (although they usually will eventually) and may choose to park themselves elsewhere in the tank.
So...
1- What lighting is on the tank currently?
2- What size tank is it?
http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm
1. the tank is a 55 gallon.
2. i don't know what kind of lights they are but here is what i have them set for:
there are two square lights right on the top of the actual tank that are on from 11am to 11pm. there are two dull blueish florecent lights that stretch the length of the tank along the top of it as well. these are on from 12:30-11pm. there is the HUGE light that hangs about a foot over the tank, enclosed by the top of the tank (takes the place of sunlight?) that is on from 2pm to 10pm. all are on timers.
when i went to see the tank today, i noticed something spreading across the top of the purple algae like a green crutasious growth. I also noticed a few spots of what looks like very grassy hairy geen algae around the top of the tank by the power heads. I assume that it is algae as well. i forgot to take a camara with me, i will not see the tank until sat or a possible sunday afternoon visit, so i will try and remember.
1. any tips on photographing the tank? (reflections on the tank, auto-focus on the outer tank, not the inner)
2. is the tank something that i have to check on more than but once a week?
sorry for the constant questions, but you were the first to reply, so here is another....
where is a good place for me to begin chatting with others to hear what kind of treaments they use to maintain their tanks?
2. i don't know what kind of lights they are but here is what i have them set for:
there are two square lights right on the top of the actual tank that are on from 11am to 11pm. there are two dull blueish florecent lights that stretch the length of the tank along the top of it as well. these are on from 12:30-11pm. there is the HUGE light that hangs about a foot over the tank, enclosed by the top of the tank (takes the place of sunlight?) that is on from 2pm to 10pm. all are on timers.
when i went to see the tank today, i noticed something spreading across the top of the purple algae like a green crutasious growth. I also noticed a few spots of what looks like very grassy hairy geen algae around the top of the tank by the power heads. I assume that it is algae as well. i forgot to take a camara with me, i will not see the tank until sat or a possible sunday afternoon visit, so i will try and remember.
1. any tips on photographing the tank? (reflections on the tank, auto-focus on the outer tank, not the inner)
2. is the tank something that i have to check on more than but once a week?
sorry for the constant questions, but you were the first to reply, so here is another....
where is a good place for me to begin chatting with others to hear what kind of treaments they use to maintain their tanks?
As far as chatting: http://www.reefs.org/access/index.html (there are directions and all of the information you need on that page... we are there all the time)
I would highly recommend that you do a water change on the tank each week. It sounds like nutrients are beginning to build up and could be causing some trouble. If the algae begins to grow fast, it will be difficult to contain. Please do get a picture.
One more note on maintenance... if the topoff is not automatic, you will notice the water level falling in the sump/tank. You will have to refill the tank with fresh water (preferably RO/DI water) to make up for the evaporation.
1- There are threads in the photo forum that can help you out, or you can ask for help:
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=59
2- Is anyone feeding the fish? That should be done every 2-3 days. Topoff as frequently as possible. Basically just make sure everything is still running properly.
I would highly recommend that you do a water change on the tank each week. It sounds like nutrients are beginning to build up and could be causing some trouble. If the algae begins to grow fast, it will be difficult to contain. Please do get a picture.
One more note on maintenance... if the topoff is not automatic, you will notice the water level falling in the sump/tank. You will have to refill the tank with fresh water (preferably RO/DI water) to make up for the evaporation.
1- There are threads in the photo forum that can help you out, or you can ask for help:
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=59
2- Is anyone feeding the fish? That should be done every 2-3 days. Topoff as frequently as possible. Basically just make sure everything is still running properly.
SnowManSnow
Advanced Reefer
Here's somthing to think about. Keep in mind yes I'm new to marine aquariums, but been keeping aquariums, FW, for years and some basic standards apply.
You said the tank is well established? I would guess this from the age of the tank. Yes, there are things that need to be done to keep the tank up... but you dont want to throw everything out of whack in an attempt to get everything "just so" all of a sudden. I find that although water parimeters such as temp and PH are VERY important they should be adujusted VERY carefully, and over a period of time... especially if the tank has been running under certain conditions for years. I think as long as the values are within a safe range SABILITY is the key.
That being said... just be careful as you rearrange, do water changes, change lights, temp, ph, and all that fun stuff.
Best of Luck!
WOULD Love a pic!
B.
You said the tank is well established? I would guess this from the age of the tank. Yes, there are things that need to be done to keep the tank up... but you dont want to throw everything out of whack in an attempt to get everything "just so" all of a sudden. I find that although water parimeters such as temp and PH are VERY important they should be adujusted VERY carefully, and over a period of time... especially if the tank has been running under certain conditions for years. I think as long as the values are within a safe range SABILITY is the key.
That being said... just be careful as you rearrange, do water changes, change lights, temp, ph, and all that fun stuff.
Best of Luck!
WOULD Love a pic!
B.
i am going to make this a new post as well. i just wanted to make sure that you saw it as well....
i started this as a quick note to you and this was the final result:
Hello. My name is ben and I write to you from the land of morristown NJ. I hope this finds you well...
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am someone who was recently asked the privilege of maintaining a fully grown very stable 55 gallon reef tank since I have so recently been introduced the world of inverts, corals, phosphates, and salinity naturally I have many questions.
alright here is the latest.
With the exception of a green crusty algae growing quicky over the top of my purple algae, the tank has been very healthy for the last 12 years. I noticed this growth a short while ago so, I brought a rock to "Absolutely Fish" in Clifton NJ. my father has been dealing with them for years. I didn't speak with the guy who was normally there, but found a very knowledgeable hobbyist working there. he only comes in to help out when it is busy. found this to be encouraging because he sparked a number of questions I hadn’t thought about.
here is what I spent the latter part of the afternoon doing....
1. Nitrites are alright. on the higher side....
2. Nitrates are just fine. nearly clear. nearly...
2a.phosphate is slightly high - (my mom is stopping by the fish store tom. with samples of water
flowing into make up tank, from tank, and phosphate test samples just to be sure)
3. PH is between 6.8 and 7.0
4. the algae growth could be from the water change three weeks ago. question to follow>
5. brought Nemo home for the joy of all.
7. picked up a new shrimp.
8. filled water in the sump below.
9. added slightly less than half a teaspoon of superbuffer dK4 as well.
10. salinity just fine. everywhere....
11. moved some rocks and found a nice piece of hard coral hidden.
12. fed tank with micro vert and green marine algae
13. cleaned glass, and growing funky algae. question to follow>
14. sat back and enjoyed a really nice glowing tank when I was done.
Some things I am still wondering about,
q1. when filling the make up tank, when do I add the salt?
q2. how long before the change should I fill the tank?
q3. a suggestion of turning on the pump in the make up tank to move the water, however, no suggestions of how long to do so. how/when do you make up your water?
q4. there is a thick smelly ugly algae that fills my overflow slots, grows and hangs all the way down the overflow box, grows over the power heads, and comes out/off easily in large clumps. I cleaned out a large amount from the overflow, and above the power heads, but I did leave some because, it hasn't hurt it yet! is this normal/acceptable and out of control?
q5. when cleaning the algae off the glass I felt that I was sending an awful amount of what seemed to be dust, and algae specks all around the tank. is there a way to get it off without putting it every where?
q6. I felt that every time I touched something it felt very fragile. are they this fragile or was I being neurotic?
q7. is the hard purple stuff algae anyway?
please take a break. you deserve it........
q8. ready?
q9. if I want to move the rocks out of the tank clean the gravel, and put all the rocks back in a completely new arrangement. what should I do with the rocks/animals?
q10. should I even remove them?
q11. How much water should I remove?
q12. Should I ever reuse the old water?
q13. If you empty a reef tank, clean all animals, rocks, sand, and all equipment with the water taken from the tank, then fill the tank with completely new water, is it the same as starting over?
q14. Two much to soon?
Thanks for listening. I hope some of your input will be of great assistance in the end.
I am sure that I will bring other questions to the board for your thoughts in the future, just not quite so long.....
i started this as a quick note to you and this was the final result:
Hello. My name is ben and I write to you from the land of morristown NJ. I hope this finds you well...
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am someone who was recently asked the privilege of maintaining a fully grown very stable 55 gallon reef tank since I have so recently been introduced the world of inverts, corals, phosphates, and salinity naturally I have many questions.
alright here is the latest.
With the exception of a green crusty algae growing quicky over the top of my purple algae, the tank has been very healthy for the last 12 years. I noticed this growth a short while ago so, I brought a rock to "Absolutely Fish" in Clifton NJ. my father has been dealing with them for years. I didn't speak with the guy who was normally there, but found a very knowledgeable hobbyist working there. he only comes in to help out when it is busy. found this to be encouraging because he sparked a number of questions I hadn’t thought about.
here is what I spent the latter part of the afternoon doing....
1. Nitrites are alright. on the higher side....
2. Nitrates are just fine. nearly clear. nearly...
2a.phosphate is slightly high - (my mom is stopping by the fish store tom. with samples of water
flowing into make up tank, from tank, and phosphate test samples just to be sure)
3. PH is between 6.8 and 7.0
4. the algae growth could be from the water change three weeks ago. question to follow>
5. brought Nemo home for the joy of all.
7. picked up a new shrimp.
8. filled water in the sump below.
9. added slightly less than half a teaspoon of superbuffer dK4 as well.
10. salinity just fine. everywhere....
11. moved some rocks and found a nice piece of hard coral hidden.
12. fed tank with micro vert and green marine algae
13. cleaned glass, and growing funky algae. question to follow>
14. sat back and enjoyed a really nice glowing tank when I was done.
Some things I am still wondering about,
q1. when filling the make up tank, when do I add the salt?
q2. how long before the change should I fill the tank?
q3. a suggestion of turning on the pump in the make up tank to move the water, however, no suggestions of how long to do so. how/when do you make up your water?
q4. there is a thick smelly ugly algae that fills my overflow slots, grows and hangs all the way down the overflow box, grows over the power heads, and comes out/off easily in large clumps. I cleaned out a large amount from the overflow, and above the power heads, but I did leave some because, it hasn't hurt it yet! is this normal/acceptable and out of control?
q5. when cleaning the algae off the glass I felt that I was sending an awful amount of what seemed to be dust, and algae specks all around the tank. is there a way to get it off without putting it every where?
q6. I felt that every time I touched something it felt very fragile. are they this fragile or was I being neurotic?
q7. is the hard purple stuff algae anyway?
please take a break. you deserve it........
q8. ready?
q9. if I want to move the rocks out of the tank clean the gravel, and put all the rocks back in a completely new arrangement. what should I do with the rocks/animals?
q10. should I even remove them?
q11. How much water should I remove?
q12. Should I ever reuse the old water?
q13. If you empty a reef tank, clean all animals, rocks, sand, and all equipment with the water taken from the tank, then fill the tank with completely new water, is it the same as starting over?
q14. Two much to soon?
Thanks for listening. I hope some of your input will be of great assistance in the end.
I am sure that I will bring other questions to the board for your thoughts in the future, just not quite so long.....
If you are topping off the main tank to make up water from the evaporation, you never add salt. Only fresh water evaporates, leaving the tank a little more salty. I would topoff the tank each day if possible to keep fluctuations to a minimum.
If you are doing water changes, mix up the salt about 2 days ahead of time and make certain its well dissolved (powerheads hanging in the bucket work well). To fill with RO water timing is not too critical, although I would not leave it sitting with no current for more than a week or two.
Total dissolution usually occurs overnight if you are using a powerhead/pump.
It is just hair algae. Its controllable mechanically (using RO water, frequent water changes, and a good skimmer, and pulling it out by hand) or biologically... various fish, hermits, snails will eat it. Keep up with pulling it out or you will find yourself too far behind on it.
Not really, although you can use a powerfilter (like a canister filter) to help keep the water polished while you mess around in the tank.
Depends on what it was, but for hard corals, they frequently are very fragile. As for most things though, they can recover quickly from mild damage. I wouldn't worry about it.
Corraline algae. Yes, although its a more desirable type (mainly because it looks better).
Do not do this unless you plan on re-arranging. If the tank has crushed coral (very course gravelly bits of shell) in it... then I would consider replacing it with araganite sand slowly. If you do it, you should find containers large enough to hold all of the rock and critters for a few days. Use a powerhead for water movement (shield it to protect your fish/inverts from getting sucked in) and if you have corals in the bin, place your lights over it for the time it is being held.
If you are removing the crushed coral, then yes. You will stir up alot of junk.
If you can make more RO water, then all of it. Just match the salinity (1.026 or 35 ppt) to the holding tanks. If not, then as much as you can realistically make again when done.
No. Unless you just can't make enough new water at once.
Not at all. The important part is in and on the live rock and sand. All of the bacteria you need in the tank will still be present. BUT, make certain you match salinity and temperature with the new water... and acclimate your fish and mobile inverts to the new tank water just prior to the change.
wanted to send you some pictures. i am going to do a small water change tom. and see what happens. i am mixing water now as we speak. the salinity was about 1.028-30 deping on which meter i used...
i hope this will make up for the difference of the low salinity....
i hope this will make up for the difference of the low salinity....
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