What is this purple algae

[Dcloser12]

It's not cyano that much I'm pretty sure on. It moves like a hair algae but doesn't get any bigger or smaller. It's been this way almost 5 months. I almost think it's a fungus of some sort

 

[vetteguy53081]

It's not cyano that much I'm pretty sure on. It moves like a hair algae but doesn't get any bigger or smaller. It's been this way almost 5 months. I almost think it's a fungus of some sort

Its known as foraminiferan algae which is a single cell algae and feels spongy to the touch. Its harmless but also unsightly. Its scrubs off easy with an algae sponge and may or may not come back as it desires light and flow which the pump receives.

 

[Dcloser12]

Its known as foraminiferan algae which is a single cell algae and feels spongy to the touch. Its harmless but also unsightly. Its scrubs off easy with an algae sponge and may or may not come back as it desires light and flow which the pump receives.

I don't mind it I was debating if I needed to pull this power head and give it a vinegar bath. I have watched many pods move through it but they don't appear to consume it. Or maybe they do and they keep its size in check. I do not mind the biodiversity it's the future issues I was unsure of.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't mind it I was debating if I needed to pull this power head and give it a vinegar bath. I have watched many pods move through it but they don't appear to consume it. Or maybe they do and they keep its size in check. I do not mind the biodiversity it's the future issues I was unsure of.

Pods wont touch it. I get this occasionally on my powerheads. Its pretty but starts to block the openings in the pump slowing down the flow

 

[Dcloser12]

Pods wont touch it. I get this occasionally on my powerheads. Its pretty but starts to block the openings in the pump slowing down the flow

That I can manage. One thing I have learned is the moment you remove something that consumes nutrients, something far worse takes its place. I'll let it keep its place and deal with cleaning the power head when needed. Thank you for the expertise. It's very helpful.