Strange RED Algae

[nuffspeed1]

I.ve noticed a small outbreak of A deep red algae on my live rock. It started on a small picec of rock, but now it seems to be spreading. My water conditions are fine. And just to be sure I had my LFS test the water, and it was fine. My question is is this good or bad, and if bad what should I do. Note that the algae is only on my LR, and does not seem to be bothering any of my inhabitants. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[ren]

Coraline? or does it appear to have a slimy structure to it?

 

[nuffspeed1]

It's not slimy. So I assume it's coraline. As i said before it's deep red and hairy.
Thanks <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[got krabs]

It's possible but I dont believe that it's coraline.Coraline has a calcarius structure to it, It may be red hair algae, do you have a pic?
Maybe someone else can be of more help.

 

[flydan]

Hey,
If it's "hairy" it's not coraline algae. Best way to keep it under control is good water conditions at all times and a good clean up crew. Once it take hold though, your clean up crew probably wont touch it.
Dan'l

 

[pegboy]

I had a similar problem. My water conditions were fine. Then all of a sudden i got this plague of algae. I couldn't figure out what it was, until i changed my light bulb. I think the older bulbs were giving off a different spectrum of light that was great for this algae.... if your bulbs are older you might want to look into that... with the new bulb (same type as old bulb) all the algae has pretty much cleared up.

 

[sduerk]

I think I may have the same thing. I posted a question about it the other day and did not get a satisfactory response. I think it may be called red velvet algae but no one seems to know how to treat it or attack it with inverts.

 

[nuffspeed1]

My lights and bulbs are about 4mths old, as I changed from florecect to PC. (55wX2).
Would it damage the tank if I took a small tooth brush and cleaned off the areas of LR with the algae?.

 

[spongebob square pants]

I would say its probably cynobacteria(red slime algea). This usually comes off rock in sheets if you take a power head to blow it off. then wait a few hours and change or clean floss fiter or any thing that catches it when it flows threw filter.
You have to get to the root of the problem thou or it just comes back witch is my current problem also.

 

[rockster]

Do they have very tiny leaf-like structures? and dense? If so, emerald crabs will graze on them. Although I like how they covered parts of my live rocks like carpet, they completely disappeared when I intoduced emerald crabs I bought from this site.