Algae ID

[29bonsaireef]

This is in a tank of mine that a relative takes care of so I can only acquire info that is being passed on. Algae is puffy like a cotton ball, greenish-translucent in color with some darker portions. It holds water like a sponge when it's removed from the tank. I can't recall anything like it IME. Tank is ULNS so I'm attributing it to low PO4 at this point.

best pic they can get of it, seems to only be growing in lower light areas.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sounds like sponge honestly. Is it all over the tank?

 

[29bonsaireef]

Sounds like sponge honestly. Is it all over the tank?

I don't think it's sponge. It's only growing in the back on the sand in areas, and the side walls where the light is much less intense. From what I'm told it's like a submerged cotton ball. Once removed from the water you can squeeze it down to almost nothing. I'm thinking its some sort of bacterial bloom, just not sure what type?

 

[lapin]

Im with salty..... sponge.
I think if a bacteria it would fall apart

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I can’t tell from the picture and structure. A low growing turf alge is a possibility.
Honestly If it’s an alge , I’ll be careful removal and playing with new cuc members.

 

[29bonsaireef]

Yeah.. I'm positive it is not sponge. My father is taking care of this system and he is fairly experienced in reefing. This is an algae/bacteria.. likely a type that sprung up because the tank is running very low on nutrients (intentionally). I was just checking if anyone had seen or heard of something similar, because I had not. I appreciate the input! Hopefully if someone has experienced this stuff the description will ring a bell.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yeah.. I'm positive it is not sponge. My father is taking care of this system and he is fairly experienced in reefing. This is an algae/bacteria.. likely a type that sprung up because the tank is running very low on nutrients (intentionally). I was just checking if anyone had seen or heard of something similar, because I had not. I appreciate the input! Hopefully if someone has experienced this stuff the description will ring a bell.

It not a dino or Chrysto the ones that usually come from low nutrients.

 

[29bonsaireef]

It not a dino or Chrysto the ones that usually come from low nutrients.

I agree, it's something funky. Tried a web search myself and couldn't find anything that really matched, oh well..This is my first time really stepping into ULNS and no WC on a reef tank because work has me away for a year. The algae is not really an issue at this point and easy to remove. Just irks me out a little.