Red Grass On LR?

[cysco1187]

Started a few months ago. What is it?

 

[flower]

Started a few months ago. What is it?

Hi,

It's the start of some kind of macroalgae, too early to identify the species. if you have tangs, they will eat it (free food!). Macroalgae is good for the tank, however it can get out of hand if you don't keep it pruned back (called harvesting) and as you prune it back you remove nasty stuff from the water, since macros use phosphates and nitrates to grow. Most people with coral don't want it in the display because it will cover corals. For fish only systems, it adds a little color and helps keep parameters pristine.

 

[bang guy]

From what I can see it looks to be some type of Ceramiales algae (red hair algae).

 

[lmforbis]

I have the same stuff on a couple rocks. Sea hare mows it when he's in the area but my tang doesn't touch it.

 

[cysco1187]

I just noticed that some of it turned neon orange over night. Why?

 

[lmforbis]

The pigments fluoresce under the blue lights. A lot of red algae do.

 

[cysco1187]

But its only one part that's showing orange and it never has before.