Is this algae a bad thing???

[fishkiller]

I've got some green algae growing on EVERYTHING except the floor. It is growing mostly on the glass and on the intake for my filter. There is also little grass looking algae growing. They are little pieces (3 strands 1 inch long from each spot. Is this bad, or do I just need a cleanup crew. I don't have much as far as inverts go. What would yall suggest? Thanx!!

 

[newbe reefer]

I too have these little tufts of grass looking algae and was wondering what it is.
NewBe

 

[logan15]

most likely hair algae it is not good but not bad if you like it keep it most people dont like it though.If you dont want it a emerald crab may do it maybe 2 or some hermits sometimes get it a good rock cleaner is a queen conch
Hope This Helps,
Logan

 

[newbe reefer]

I'll try to get a pic of it tonight, it's not hair algae. Looks more like tufts of grass (shinny dark green blades).
Thanks Logan!!
NewBe

 

[newbe reefer]

Okay I got two pictures of this strange Algae stuff.

 

[newbe reefer]

Anyone know what this is???? Is it bad?
Thanks,
NewBe

 

[justinx]

I think, but am not sure, that this may be a type of algae called bryopsis. I know very little about it other than that it is almost impossible to get rid of, and that i usually disappears as fast as it appeared.
Dont know for sure though

 

[newbe reefer]

Thanks JustinX, I just looked up Bryopsis on the web and it looks very similar but the Bryopsis has a feathery appearance of its branchlets and the stuff I have is smooth. But I'm closer to finding out what it is. And it looks like this Bryopsis is pretty nasty, nothing eats it.
Thanks,
NewBe

 

[newbe reefer]

Hey Fishkiller is the stuff you have smooth or feathery????
Sorry to take over your thread
NewBe

 

[jonthefb]

im pretty sure the name of that algae is Cladophoropsis. its a gree algae, with tubular blades that seem to eminate from a single center....its not harmful and usually goes away with time, but i have hear that its filtering properties are similar if not better than that of caulerpa in a refugium set up!
good luck
jon

 

[nm reef]

It looks like Cladophoropsis membranacea ...a type of algae that is sometimes used like caulperas to remove excess nutrients. I have large amounts of the same algae in my refugiums and it grows fairly rapid. I harvest handsfull of the stuff at least once a month. I've never had it growing in my display...and would be a bit concerned if it did. It has a tendacy to grow quickly and can over take a system if not controled. The runners spread out and attach where ever it can get a foothold and I'd think it could be difficult to remove if allowed to over take a display. I've also never found a fish/snail or crab that likes to eat the stuff either...so all I could advise if it begins to over take your system is manual removal. for that reason alone I'd consider removing it unless you intend to harvest/export it on a regular basis.
Here is a link with a pic

 

[fishkiller]

the stuuf in my tank is kinda feathery. There are 3 little blades in each one, doesn't look like yours. yours almost looks like tenicles of some kind.

 

[tiffster]

hey newbe, what kind of shrimp is that in your pic?

 

[goldrush]

Harlequin.

 

[newbe reefer]

Yep, it's a Sexy Shrimp I have 3 of them and they are quite intertaining always swinging their "butts" around
Thanks Jonthefb and NM Reef, I looked up Cladophoropsis and that's it. Looks like nothing eats it and it can spread pretty fast, the only way to get rid of it is to hand harvest.
DvSKiN then sounds like yours is the Bryopsis, not so good eaither, good luck. And thanks for the thread

NewBe