ALGAE ID PLEASE WITH PICTURES

[jamessreeftank]

I have this brownish algae that grows on the live rock. I got rid of it at one point not sure how but now it's back? Anyone know what it is and possibly how to stop it?

 

[brandon429]

Not algae it's bryozoans, or chrysophytes, or hydroids so far more close guesses coming

Nonphotosynthetic filter feeding animals. The cause is direct hitchhiking without quarantine. The prognosis is dandy, never seen a tank lost to them. Takes some work occasionally if we want to guide them out, they are among reef competitors that high quality live rock brings in, better than a rogue plant that's for sure.

In nature, the controls vary and are grazers like filefish etc or other niche grazers they are suspended matter feeders, no need to concern over water params. We either guide them out, or not

Scuba divers know real reefs are absolutely abutted side by side x1000 of that and way more diverse. Seeing open coralline patches on live rock not colonized further is rare. The look we want is abnormal, so their presence above means your rock is 100% legit and left to natural means, they bloom and take up much space contributing to the 'periphyton' inclusions Santa Monica really, really likes to review.

 

[jamessreeftank]

Not algae it's bryozoans, or chrysophytes, or hydroids so far more close guesses coming

Nonphotosynthetic filter feeding animals. The cause is direct hitchhiking without quarantine. The prognosis is dandy, never seen a tank lost to them. Takes some work occasionally if we want to guide them out, they are among reef competitors that high quality live rock brings in, better than a rogue plant that's for sure.

In nature, the controls vary and are grazers like filefish etc or other niche grazers they are suspended matter feeders, no need to concern over water params. We either guide them out, or not

Scuba divers know real reefs are absolutely abutted side by side x1000 of that and way more diverse. Seeing open coralline patches on live rock not colonized further is rare. The look we want is abnormal, so their presence above means your rock is 100% legit and left to natural means, they bloom and take up much space contributing to the 'periphyton' inclusions Santa Monica really, really likes to review.

Thanks man. So it's a good thing that it's in the tank

 

[brandon429]

just that no bad params or any action on your part caused them, they are either things we want or not. if not, then cut them right off, rasp the rascals right off like they were dandelions lol right at the base attachment point

leftovers may pop up, that's the hand guiding thing its rarely one off. these guys populate as external pressures allow, wax and wane over time in tanks