Some kind of algae (I think)... looking for a way to remove it.

wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Hello all!
So I've had this... algae... in my tank for some time now... its only appeared on the rocks, never the glass or sand, and its got a grayish brown color... its very tiny (maybe a couple of millimeters at most). I originally thought it was dust that settled on the rocks after being kicked up by my Diamond Goby, but when I tried to blow them off the rocks using a turkey baster, its definately stuck to the rocks. I guess the best way to describe them is that they look like little nose hairs lol.
Anyway, I did a GIS for hair algae and the pics I see don't look like anything I have, so I don't think its hair algae but something else. Also, none of the algae eating memebers of my CuC seem to be toughing the stuff.
If anyone knows what this stuff is, please speak up here! :)
I'd prefer a critter that could eat this stuff up over a medicine btw!
Thanks!
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Going to need a picture to identify. There could be a 100 different answers.
The generic answer for removal of any algae is to cut back feeding, lighting, and try to export nutrients, via reactors, macro algae, or absorbing media.
I just got done getting rid of cyano without chemicals. Removed about 1/2 my fish, and just like silly me I didn't cut back the dosage. Plus when I moved the rocks I stirred up some nastiness.
I use chemicals only as a last resort.
 
wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
Took a pic... not sure how easy this stuff is to see from my cameraphone since its so tiny and matches the color of my rock... but here it is:

If you look at the polyp in the center of the rock, you will see to the right and left of it are the stuff I'm talking about.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Usually seen in new setups. I forget what the scientific name is but it will, in a new setup, usually disappear over time. Keep your water to natural seawater parameters, blow off the rock work with a turkey baster at water change time. This is really nothing worrisome IMO.
 
wartooth1

wartooth1

Member
I don't think its diatoms... they usually appear as brown splotches on the rock and then go away after a couple of weeks... these are little brownish patches of fur. I'm guessing its more likely cyano like you say 1GuyDude.
Assuming its cyano, should I just leave it be are get get rid of it? If I should get rid of it, is there an aquarium critter that can be recommended to eat this stuff up?
FYI I'm really looking for an excuse to get another critter lol.
 
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