Unidentifiable algae in my display

Colin91 · Oct 8, 2019

I have a aquaclear 70 with intank basket to grow chaeto. Using a innovative marine chaeto light. Chaeto is dying and I’m getting algae growth in my display that I can’t seem to figure out. Some are thin strands and others are flat strands that are green, but semi-transparent. Almost looks like mini kelp to me. If someone could help ID the culprit and provide a potential solution that would be awesome. Thanks!

Bret Brinkmann · Oct 10, 2019

I may know what it is but have some questions for you to be sure.

What lights and settings do you have?

In the 3rd picture to the right of the anemone is a wide strand of algae. Is it flat?

How long has your tank been setup and what kind of rocks are those?

Colin91 · Oct 11, 2019

I have two aqua knights on 100% blue 10% white.

8am to 7pm no ramping and no direct natural sunlight.

There are two types. Very hard thin strands and the kelp looking type. Some are round, some are somewhat flat and I think hollow inside. When I try manual removal it just breaks apart.

Most is love rock from Top Shelf Aquatics. Some is dry rock, but now very much alive. I’ve noticed the TSA rocks have all sorts of critters on it. And majority of the algae seems to be confined to the TSA rocks. Some on the other.

In the past couple days I’ve picked up 3 scarlet hermits to try and help with the algae. Also have noticed baby feather dusters and what I think are very small colonial hydroids on one of the TSA rocks.

Bret Brinkmann · Oct 12, 2019

Thank you for the info. I believe they are both a red macro that have turned white/clear due to the light intensity. Some red macros do this under higher light but will turn a deeper darker red under less intense light. They usually come on live rock but can be purchased as well. Below is a guide to red macros so you can compare.

Marine Plants in the Aquarium

macroalgae, marine plants, caulerpa, refugium substrate, marine macroalgae for sale

www.marineplantbook.com

The round strands look like gracilaria parvisipora and the flat one looks like gracilaria hayi or halymenia floresia. Herbivorous fish usually eat these types but I think they prefer it to have some color. You can take some of it and plant it in a shady spot and watch it regain its red coloration.