What exactly is this?

[KidNano]

OK, I know it's some kind of hair algae. It's a lot prettier then any pics of hair algae that I've scene but I looked into maidens hair and I'm pretty sure it's not that either.

Should I get rid of it. I've had this rock for 10 months and it's the only Rock with it. All the others are spotless. for now. Thanks.

 

[NanoReefaholic]

Looks like the standard green hair algae, derbesia. Have a closer look though and see if it's feathered may be bryopsis and if it's dark it may be cladophora but I'm thinking standard GHA.

Chances are your rock is leaching phosphates. Is the rock "new" or was it bought off someone else or in a LFS's holding tank? Many people bring problem liverock back to stores for a cheap credit, which they turn around and sell to you.

 

[KidNano]

Chances are your rock is leaching phosphates. Is the rock "new" or was it bought off someone else or in a LFS's holding tank? Many people bring problem liverock back to stores for a cheap credit, which they turn around and sell to you.

I've had this rock for 10 months and it's the only Rock with it. All the others are spotless.

 

[NanoReefaholic]

Let me try to reword that then...

When you got the rock was it "new" or recycled? Seeing as you haven't said how long this has been going on for I'm guessing since day one. That would put leaching as a very good possibility, especially since it's only this rock.

 

[KidNano]

No this is new to the Rock. I apologize for not being clear on that. This Rock and all other rocks in my tank have been algae free from day one. As far as it being recycled..... Don't know. Considering the hair is new I'd say it has a different source then phosphate leakage from this rock.

I suspected it to be some sort of hair, It just looks much different then any pics of hair algae I've seen. And no it's not feathered at all. Just looks like a really pretty underwater overgrown lawn.

 

[NanoReefaholic]

Ah, ok then. The rock looks clean but how's the flow in this area and when was the last time you took a turkey baster (or whatever) and blew it out? If this is new to the rock then there must be something new to the tank or something that is just now effecting it. How old is your lighting? If this rock is the highest one or is plugged then it'll be the first one to exhibit signs when the bulb shifts and your lamps should be about due or overdue if PC's.

 

[NanoReefaholic]

Whoops, forgot to post the link. Have a look through here and see if something matches up;

http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/algae_gallery.htm

 

[drty811]

i have had this stuff come and go in my tank. never found anything that helps, just time and water changes. just got a phosban reactor to see if does any good. if it doesnt work ill substitute the phosban for carbon.

 

[Trogdor]

This is weird because I just had a small patch of this show up on one of my rocks as well. Tank is about the same age as KN's with all of the same background. (No idea if the rock was recycled, it was dry rock at the LFS and has been in my tank since the initial cycle) I haven't added any coral since April.

 

[KidNano]

Whoops, forgot to post the link. Have a look through here and see if something matches up;

http://mikes-machine.mine.nu/algae_gallery.htm

Non of these pics look like what I've got. That's why it's weird. Thanks though.

 

[johnanddawn]

that isn't live rock per say although i guess it is all coral skeleton in some form but that looks like a skeleton of a long since dead elegence coral, euphid, or fox coral
me - i would take it out scrub it off and throw it in the sump if it is unlighted or in a dif tank and let it sit in the dark for a while - a rose by any other name still is algae and it doesn't look like anything i would want in my tank
i have a tank set up without lights just for frag rock stock and have often resorted to recycling a problem rock like that - but be advised if it is systemic problem it'll just show up somewhere else
cause - numerous possibilities could be the rock leaching as suggested, could be the lights, could be the flow - this type of algae is the type often found growing on overflow boxes, could be an issue that requires use of phosban or changing carbon

sorry no help here, but i would seriously remove it before it goes sexual and pops up somewhere else

 

[KidNano]

Thanks John, forgot to say happy birthday the other day.... So Happy Birthday. Get anything fun to share?

I read about a similar type of Algae. Picture didn't quite match but it said that it loves high flow and lots of light. I've got it positioned at the top of the tank with a return blowing right on it. I'll give what you suggested a try. I just hate losing the life that I have on it, but you're right I don't want it in my tank. My sump has lots of light too for my macro so I'll try putting it under a larger rock in my tank.

Thanks all.

 

[KidNano]

Just wanted to let you guys know I scrubbed the Rock during a water change last night and rinsed it off with tank water....... Then put it back in the tank upside down on the bottom to avoid light getting to where the algae was.

Thanks for the input.