metal like smell coming from brown algae

[zemuss]

What type of algae gives off a metal like smell? Is it diatoms? or just brown dust algae?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Never heard of that one before. Curious to see the answer to this one.

 

[spscrazy]

so......you're just sitting there at home and feel the need to sniff algae? lol sorry :rofl:

 

[zemuss]

LOL.. When I do a water change and clean the glass I smell the odor. I am wondering what the heck the smell is and sure enough its the algae.


"Z"

 

[MadBrad527]

Definitely a first in my book, I'm curious to know what this is as well. I'll keep looking around online to see if I can come up with it. Doesn't look like there's too much info out there about it, but hey it makes for something to do, right? lol

Brad

 

[zemuss]

Yes I have searched and searched. It is brown and dusty just gives off a really strong iron /metallic odor. I never see the algae on my rocks and only see it on the glass or frag rack or return nozzle. When I brush it off is when the smell is the strongest.

 

[zemuss]

FWIW, I have a pretty keen sense of smell.

 

[Seavee1218]

Hmmm return nosil on ur return pump ?? Are u running that clear tubing on the return pump and do u have. A clamp , if so the clamp could be rusting. Lol

 

[MadBrad527]

Hmmm return nosil on ur return pump ?? Are u running that clear tubing on the return pump and do u have. A clamp , if so the clamp could be rusting. Lol

The same sort of thought crossed my mind, I would double check and make sure nothing is rusting, but I'm sure the chances are small. Always an idea though. But since you said it's strongest when you scrape the algae, that leads me to believe it must be coming from the algae itself. Definitely a strange situation you are in, haha.

Brad

 

[Mrfresh]

Zemuss not trying to be rude at all.
Are you a woman? And could you be pregnant?

I know it sounds weird but when my neighbor was prego she said she could smell electricity.
No joke.
If ur not a woman or prego then my theory goes out the door.

 

[mallorieGgator]

Brown algae is extremely rich in Iodine. That's the smell.

 

[mcarroll]

Not doubting mallorieGator as that answer sounds convincing to me, but...

FWIW the only thing I smell from my tank during "low tide" is coral slime as they start protecting themselves from the lights and air. Never heard it described as metallic but it is an odd smell and could sorta be metallic-ish, I guess.

Was this an academic question or do you actually have some algae you are smelling?

-Matt

 

[zemuss]

Hmmm return nosil on ur return pump ?? Are u running that clear tubing on the return pump and do u have. A clamp , if so the clamp could be rusting. Lol

I don't use metal clamps in a saltwater tank. If I did I would see the affects on my corals and each of the coral are doing good.

The same sort of thought crossed my mind, I would double check and make sure nothing is rusting, but I'm sure the chances are small. Always an idea though. But since you said it's strongest when you scrape the algae, that leads me to believe it must be coming from the algae itself. Definitely a strange situation you are in, haha.

Brad

Yes it is the algae not a clamp.

Zemuss not trying to be rude at all.
Are you a woman? And could you be pregnant?

I know it sounds weird but when my neighbor was prego she said she could smell electricity.
No joke.
If ur not a woman or prego then my theory goes out the door.

LOL If a guy could get prego, I would be a billionaire!

Brown algae is extremely rich in Iodine. That's the smell.

thank you for your post and providing an answer.

Not doubting mallorieGator as that answer sounds convincing to me, but...

FWIW the only thing I smell from my tank during "low tide" is coral slime as they start protecting themselves from the lights and air. Never heard it described as metallic but it is an odd smell and could sorta be metallic-ish, I guess.

Was this an academic question or do you actually have some algae you are smelling?

-Matt

I usually only smell the low tide as well but lately its been a rustic smell.

I appreciate those that helped without all the pun intended.

"Z"