What kind of algae does this look like?

[scrappy35]

Just wondering what kind of algae this looks like? Will it hinder my corals and what will eat it if anything?

I currently have diatoms, new tank struggles.

 

[andiesreef]

looks like hair algae. i would get some clean up crew animals to remove it. it is very common in new tanks.

 

[Reefer4fun]

Green hair algae

 

[scrappy35]

I have about 10-12 snails and some blue legged hermits, maybe 5 or 6. It’s a 75g tank, but they stick mainly to the glass and rock. Should I get more?

 

[davidcalgary29]

I'd give that frag a hydrogen peroxide dip first.

 

[scrappy35]

Do you have instructions for that, can’t seem to find clear ones.

 

[Glass Algae]

Do you have instructions for that, can’t seem to find clear ones.

Peroxide dip corals

Ive followed this video with great results Hope this helps!

p.s. Id fast forward to when they start the procedure has some family stuff in the beginning XD

 

[scrappy35]

Thanks

 

[Glass Algae]

Thanks

good luck!

 

[Jedi1199]

I am no expert, but it appears to be GHA to me.

My 32G is overrun with the stuff. No snails or crabs that I have tried eat it. I added a pencil urchin a few days ago and he seems to be happily munching on it. Don't know (and suspect probably not) if it will climb the glass or back panel. Probably going to have to remove that manually.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I had a terrible time with GHA in my used RSM 250 due to, I believe, phosphate-heavy rocks (inherited) and a broken lighting system. Coincidence or not, it went away when I started to dose with live phyto. I may have aiptasia and majanos in that tank (also inherited off of that live rock), but my cyano and nuisance algae problems seem to be a thing of the past.

 

[Glass Algae]

I had a terrible time with GHA in my used RSM 250 due to, I believe, phosphate-heavy rocks (inherited) and a broken lighting system. Coincidence or not, it went away when I started to dose with live phyto. I may have aiptasia and majanos in that tank (also inherited off of that live rock), but my cyano and nuisance algae problems seem to be a thing of the past.

never even thought of phyto for that!

 

[davidcalgary29]

never even thought of phyto for that!

Top: today
Bottom: April

 

[Benjammin]

Get a microscope. You’ll be able to make a positive id. I would be wary of mistreating it. I just finished a battle with bryopsis that for months I thought was hair algae.
Also lots of cool stuff to look at.

 

[Jedi1199]

@davidcalgary29

What exactly did you do to achieve such a fantastic result? As you know, I despise chemicals and would much prefer a natural method of controlling issues like this.

 

[Benjammin]

Other than under a scope, this looked exactly like GHA. Same story though, cuc wouldn’t touch it, grew like a weed. It was indeed bryopsis. I believe many people are misidentifying their algae and without a microscope it’s nearly impossible.
first pic is bryopsis and second is GHA.

 

[davidcalgary29]

@davidcalgary29

What exactly did you do to achieve such a fantastic result? As you know, I despise chemicals and would much prefer a natural method of controlling issues like this.

I started to cultivate live phyto and dose perhaps 10-15mL every day in that tank. I also changed out two of the lightbulbs, but haven't done anything about the two ballasts that are burned out. That giant bunch of halymenia has grown from that bit in the top right corner of the April photo, so there's that as well.

I'd love to tell you that the tank improved with weekly 25% water changes and a dedicated dosing regime of spider webs and cane toad toxins...but I can't. I've actually been really terrible with water changes; the last one was a month ago.

I like this tank as it just looks okay (but much better than before). Multiple components had broken in the tank itself, and it's nice just to have it running properly again. My "glam" builds are all in the basement.

 

[G Santana]

Hydrogen peroxide dips have worked for GHA plug removal. 5 minutes and it kills the GHA