Red leafy algae: is this bad?
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Topic: Red leafy algae: is this bad?
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Subject: Red leafy algae: is this bad?
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 3:54pm
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Hi gang,
I have an algae growing in my tank now for maybe three months.
It is a dark, brick-red color and grows in little round leaves or plates each about half the diameter of a penny.
I've tried to photograph it but the images don't capture the round leaf-like shape, just the dark reddish color. It started and stayed on one rock for about half of that time, but recently has been slowly spreading. I thought that it might be some weird algae that comes and goes as the tank matures, but it has been in there too long to be similar to the other transitional algaes I have had.
No fish I have seem interested in the stuff.
Has anyone seen something like this and if so, is this going to become a nuisance?
Thanks!
------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Replies:
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 3:56pm
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Is it hard? Calcerous? Scroll like?
DIBS!!!!!!!!!! ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 4:44pm
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It seems to me that it is more like soft with the leaves layered and gently flapping in the current-breeze, but maybe that's just the top layer. I will dig at it a bit to see if any is hard.
In any case, I wouldn't use the term "scroll-like" to describe it. Just layered plates... like one would expect to find on a sequined dress.
I have looked for photos of algaes to try and find a name for it but I haven't seen anything like it yet.
Suzy, if you think this stuff might help your tank critters dance the dance-of-joy and know how to get if off of the rocks, you're welcome to come over and get some.
Do you have a name for what you're thinking of?
Cheers!
------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: stephan
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 4:58pm
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I have the same stuff and it too has only recently shown up. Exactly as you describe, but I don't know anything about it. ------------- Stephan Lovstedt Camarillo, CA 65 Gallon Glass |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 5:04pm
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Do you have Tangs?
If it is not hard, it COULD be a Halymenia species, but the ones I have seem to be candy to my tangs. They eat is as fast as I harvest it... Let me check a few books. If you get any other leads, be sure to check - www.algaebase.org for a pic. ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 5:39pm
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Nope Suzy, no tangs.......yet
I looked up the Halymenia, but they didn't look right. I've started through the algaebase.org; that's going to take a while! But, thanks for the link; it must be in there somewhere.
Stephan, let me know if you find out anything.
Meanwhile, I'll keep trying to get a suitable photo of the stuff.
------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Bob Kripfgans
Date Posted: August 10 2006 at 7:00pm
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Like Suzy I would be interested in some also. I would be willing to buy some also.... Thanks Bob ------------- WMAS is da place! Save the Banggai's! Tooele,Ut. |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 7:50am
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I want to see it just to play the ID game! ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 11:39am
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Whew!
That algae database was a long trip to get through!
Of course I didn't see anything that screamed "That's it!"
but there were a few that got close.
One was a type of tanzania; here is the pic:
 one was some type of paycap...
here is the pic:
 I have a picture of it in my camera now, though I don't know how good it is, since I forgot to bring the thing in to work today.
Anyway, I lifted the leaves up last night and they were definately not hard. It does appear that maybe the underlayers are kind of ripple-y like a ribbon or a lasagna noodle. I guess I'm going to have to rip a bit off and get it out where I can see it clearly.
Suzy, Bob: if either of you want to come over a tear off some for yourselves, you are welcome to have it.
Cheers!
------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 12:28pm
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Yes!!!!
Is it really that color? That is cool! ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 12:47pm
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I'm looking at it under 12000K reeflux bulbs, so having said that, the color I see is pretty much the color of the tanzania. I'm not sensing the distress from you that I was originally expecting. I thought we all wanted coraline algae or corals on our rocks. nothing more.This stuff can really cover a rock.
------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 2:41pm
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OK gang,
Here is a picture of the stuff in my tank. This is with a flash. I think it turned out pretty representative of what it looks like; I got lucky.
 ------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 11 2006 at 3:21pm
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Looks cool! -------------  |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 12 2006 at 8:15am
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John, could you put a small rock next to it to let it grow onto? or a shell? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 12 2006 at 1:33pm
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I'll see what I can do, or what I already have. I'm a little lean
on small rocks. I guess I need to go the the LFS and get some
rubble. I'm gathering that the idea of just pulling some off doesn't sound too keen to you. The stuff is spreading on that rock, but slowly, so it may take a while. My greater concern for the tank in general is that it is turning up on rocks elsewhere. The stuff may get out of hand eventually. Anyway, I'll see what I can do about getting it to move onto smaller rock. Cheers! ------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 12 2006 at 5:37pm
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I realy do not think it will get out of hand. I actually think just the opposite? Cool alga species always seem to struggle when there is competition for nutrients...
Maybe I need to come visit your tank next week? With a ziplock? Is there anything I could entice you to trade for? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Deep Pitt
Date Posted: August 12 2006 at 6:36pm
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Of course I'd love for you to see my tank, especially since I'll be out of town for the reef tour. I did put some small rocks by the algae, but I have some very naughty hermits with strong opinions on how the tank is to be furnished. We'll see how long the rocks last. You could entice me with some tigger pods & advice!  I bought a bottle of the buggers on the recent group-buy and set up a small breader tank, but they don't look like they are thriving to me. I was reluctant going into it, but was convinced that growing tiggers is like growing weeds. Maybe you could take a look and tell me where I'm off. Cheers! ------------- John SLC (S. Jordan) 200 Gal Reef |
Posted By: Angel
Date Posted: August 14 2006 at 11:12pm
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Be sure and post a follow up. This is interesting. ------------- Connie Tooele |