Good or Bad Algae?

[btacker]

I don't konw why I have all this good or bad stuff all the sudden :(

This algae just kind of appeared in my fuge. It seems to grow pretty fast.

Any idea about it? I'm about to redo my fuge so I can either get rid of it or keep it.

It is kind of red puff ballish.. but it will grow in bigger clumps.

[btacker]

I mean to add that this stuff does look pretty cool, kinda like cotton candy balls.

If anyone wants some, just let me know. :D

[Thunderkat]

I read about that stuff in my algae book, I don't remember the name but I do remember reading that red algaes secrete substances to inhibit the growth of other types of algae (does not hurt the algae type that makes it), need less light to grow (something about the chloropyhl that makes it red also lets it use less light), and supposedly make a nice smell in the water.

[btacker]

I don't have a smell... but I would believe the part about it inhibiting growth. It is growing way faster than my other algaes ( cheato, grape, razor, halmedia)

[Andrew]

Red alga typically occur in deeper water than green (or brown), and utilize a large amount of blue spectrum (400-480 ish nm). This group is also the most variable of all algae and may change color (depending on spectrum and light intensity, depth, etc.). The Gracilaria and Chondria species found on the texas coast may be red, yellow, brown, clear or many shades in between depending on where they're found.


Andrew

[jaded]

It looks like your coraline has lost color in that picture... have you noticed that the coraline is bleaching or is it just the photo?

[btacker]

Thanks for the info Andrew. So would you consider this alga a bad thing to have in my fuge?

That coraline is pretty new. It just started showing up the beging of May.

It started showing up when I started dripping a lot of kalk. Now that you mention it, that is around when the red alga showed up as well. I was dripping around 30 gallons every 3 or 4 weeks. Now it is like 30 gallons every 2 weeks because of all the evaporation.

I haven't noticed a change in it's color, but I will keep an eye on it.

[Tim Marvin]

it is bad. Very hard to get rid of once it takes hold.

[btacker]

Ok... I will start trying to get rid of it then.

Thanks Tim

[Tim Marvin]

Almost nothing eats it either. I can't remember the name, but I'll find out.

[btacker]

well, I'm not too worried about it yet. It is only in my fuge, and I'm about to replace my sump.

[Tim Marvin]

http://www.marineland.com/seascope/ss2003_issue3.pdf

[Tim Marvin]

Link doesn't work, hang on.
OK, fixed it.

[Tim Marvin]

Asparagopsis taxiformis

[Tim Marvin]

http://www.marineland.com/seascope/ss2003_issue3.pdf

[Tim Marvin]

http://www.marineland.com/seascope/ss2003_issue3.pdf

[Andrew]

I would definitely get rid of it. I'd be worried about it getting in the main tank.

[Thunderkat]

I love macro algae so let me step in and say something to its defense.

I found this in my book "Algae: A problem solvers guide"


Red algae have halogen-containing metabolites (bromide and/or idoine, sometimes even chlorine) in their tissues, and it is believed that they serve anti-bacterial functions in addition to a function in deterring herbivory. These compounds indicate allelopathic interaction between red algae and their environment. Other algae may have similar positive or negative affects on other organisms. In aquaria with additions of iodide or iodine, the growth of such seaweeds may curb the growth of fungi, pathogenic bacteria, other algae or cyanobacteria.

Under the description of Asparagopsis (sporophyte stage) it says:


Not palatable to most herbivorous fishes. This alga blooms in aquariums under certain conditions which appear to include nitrite availability.

Diadema urchins, and sea slugs Aplysia and Hermaea eat this algae.[/quote]