Unusual growth on glass

[Almondkc]

I have read through other threads/posts on the site and there is speculation but I have not been able to find a conclusion on what is growing on my glass. My water parameters are normal and I test weekly. The growth is a 'vein like' pattern of material that grows either in areas of high flow or low flow - so I don't believe that flow is a contributor. I would really like to know what this is and the cause and cure (if needed) or it is just considered a nuisance. Thanks in advance for taking the time to look and help! I really appreciate it.

The first photo is of the front glass ( a little out of focus) and it started like a clear smudge a couple of days ago and then gets more definition. The second photo is of the side panel and it seemed to just come in quickly (overnight) and is finer web like in form. When I was cleaning the tank I looked in to the substrate with the 'water vacum' and it is a thin sand bed (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches) and there are no worms or other fauna.

 

[Gary S]

I dont know what species it is, but I think in any regard I take down whatever is on the glass, and wait for a member that knows exactly what it is. Without a doubt it's a nuisance variant, and if I remember correctly these kind are really tough to get rid of because they can reproduce via division, ie you pulling it out of your tank. So I think your very best bet would be to remove what you can see carefully so as to not break it into a thousand more pieces, and invest in some emerald crabs. I've seen them go nuts for this kind of algae. Best of luck!

 

[Almondkc]

Thank you Gary. As luck would have it I have a couple of emerald crabs on the was and more hermits and snails.

 

[Gary S]

Thank you Gary. As luck would have it I have a couple of emerald crabs on the was and more hermits and snails.

Sure thing! Lemme know what happens!

 

[Almondkc]

I am not certain which of the new clean-up crew to thank but I have not cleaned the glass of the DT for a while now and while I did see little outbursts of the unknow macroalgae - I have not seen any in the tank for a week now. Could be the emerald crabs (2 of them) or the redfoot snails (I doubt it) or the trochus or any of the other myriad of snails I got. But it is dealt with! Yeah...