Need help to Identify Algae Growth

[longhorn_20m]

I attached a picture and I hope it comes out to aid in identification. I've started to see this on a few of my rocks over the last few weeks.

What is it?

What will eat it?

[Ping]

Bubble algae? If so, Foxfaces and Sailfins will keep it under control. Emerald crabs help, but not as much as the fish.

[Mr_Cool]

I don't think it's bubble algae. Whatever it is, it looks like it has air bubbles trapped in it.

I'm thinking maybe it's Bryopsis. Hard to tell from the pic, though.

[longhorn_20m]

I don't think it is bubble algae. It isn't round, but stringy, but not completely straight. It is slightly curly.

Not a dark green, but a greenish with slight brown tint.

I took quite a few pictures but that was the only one that seemed decent.

[Troutmasters02]

Do you have micro bubbles in your tank from a skimmer? If so, I think it might be hair algae or Chaetomorpha macro algae with little bubbles on it.

[longhorn_20m]

Yes, the bubbles you see are air bubbles within the algae. It seems this is occurring on majority of the patches of algae.

I currently have three tangs and they haven't touched the algae. I may need to try a foxface.

[Troutmasters02]

I have plenty of hair algae with two tangs that stick their nose up at it. Maybe a foxface or seahare. For now, I use a toothbrush to scrub off all the fuzy but its a lot of work. Maybe cut your lighting back.

[Iplantz]

+1 on sea hares, but only in an outbreak really.

[jrsatx20]

question for u, if u cut your lights back does it seem to go away but as soon as u turn lights back on it comes back. if yes type of cyno. it has happen to my tanks when i start them goin. i suck it out n do water change. should calm down after a couple of good h2o changes.

[longhorn_20m]

Not Cyano. It is still present if I roll back the lights. I currently only run my lights for 6 hours. The bulbs are 3 months old. Two 250 watt 12k Reeflux.

All other parameters look good except KH is a little on the low end.

I will try a larger water change this weekend.

[ErikH]

Try some phosban in a filter sock. Just float it in sump near your return. See if it goes away.... I run my halides over 12 hours per day and I don't have crazy algae. I do run phosban, imo it is a necessity....

[jrsatx20]

look at the pics in this thread and let us know what u think.
http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48304

[Bill S]

Hard to see from the photo. Does it have a fern-like appearance?

What is your pH? Try getting it to 8.5 and keeping it there.

[coraline79]

If it were bryopsis, it would be a lot longer than that, and quickly spreading throughout your tank regardless of tested levels.