what macroalgea is maroon and bubble shaped.

[krazekajin]

I have a 10g nano that has lots of cactus plants in it, some isolated clumps of a fiberous green algea and two other algeas that I don't recognize.
I don't know if there is an algea guide anywhere, but I am curious about what kind of algea it is. I am a little weird in that I like all of the algea growing in my 10g, it makes it look kinda like a natural ocean or even refugium.
The first algea is maroon colored and has ball or bubble shapped ends.
The second algea is maroon colored and very much looks a lot like the fuzzy part of velcro.

 

[krazekajin]

Is there any macroalgea smart people out here tonight?

 

[bs21]

red algea that looks like velcro could be cyano bacteria....which is not good and youll want to get rid of it. do a search for cyano bacteria and u can find pics and info about it to see if that is what you have. other one im not sure about. pics may help others identify it if you can take them and post here

 

[masivemunkey]

The bubble-ish algae could be grape caulerpa, which is beneficial as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by masivemunkey
The bubble-ish algae could be grape caulerpa, which is beneficial as long as it doesn't get out of hand.
I really like the look of this algae in reef tanks. It seems pretty easy to control from what I've read. When it gets out of hand, pluck or prune it. I think grape caulerpa goes sexual and this is something to watch out for. I'm not sure though :thinking: I'm going to "search."

 

[earlybird]

"Some species, especially Grape C. can go sexual and disintegrate overnight adding substantial biological load to the tank. This can be minimized by heavy pruning which seems to retard this tendency. There is also some evidence that keeping the lighting on 24/7 will prevent this from happening. This is obviously only an option when the algae is housed in a refugia or sump. Herbivorous fish like tangs will sometimes help to keep the Caulerpa in check." (google - macro algae)

 

[krazekajin]

Here is what the "velcro" algea looks like. I think this is what I have.
Red turf algae, possibly Asparagopsis sp. Photo courtesy of Marc Levenson (melev).

 

[krazekajin]

I am still looking for the other algea. It is a reddish maroon colored algea that looks a lot like a majano anemone.