Hard green algae

[hkgar]

The back of my tank is covered with a green algae. It is crusty and can only be removed by scrapping with something like a metal spatula.
I got some snails from GARF that seemed to take care of it for awhile but is back and much more. Turbo snails have no effect on it.
What could it be and how can it be controlled
Thanks

 

[nacl-h2o]

This sounds like green coraline and is not a bed thing. The only way to control it is to scrape it off the places you don't want it. The only thing that will eat it are sea urchines. But they will eat all the algaes including coralines in your tank.

 

[hkgar]

I'l admit my ignorance but I thought coraline algae was circles or disks. This stuff has turned the entire back of the tank green, like a carpet.

 

[bang guy]

If it's crusty it's probably coralline.

 

[broomer5]

hkgar
I know what you're describing, and I don't believe it's coralline algae.
It's hard ( to scrape off ) but actually if you do scrape some off and look closely, you can see that it's rather like a tough leathery bright green algae growth. Almost a "Spring" green in color.
Still don't know what type of algae it is, but I've seen it, and have some in my tank as well. It's not coralline.

 

[viper12775]

i have the same stuff in my tank i just leave it on the back glass to hide all the hoses

 

[iechy]

If it isn' t hurting anything and is on the back glass I'd leave it and just make sure to keep it under control. i have flourescent green algae on my back glass and I like it there. It is more natural than some phony background and some of the critters like to eat it apparently.

 

[hkgar]

"I have flourescent green algae on my back glass and I like it there. It is more natural than some phony background and some of the critters like to eat it apparently."
Iechy, What I have is also flourescent green and although I have scrapped much of it off, I think from now on I may leave it alone as scrapping the back glass with everything back there is not an easy task.