finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I have a possible algae growing on my live rock. Im not sure what it is and Im hoping for some help. the algae produces or catches bubbles and hangs on to them making a blanket of bubbles. What is it and is it a problem algea that will spred? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 It sounds like it might be cyanobacteris (slime algae). What color is it, and how long has your tank been set up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Well it is really hard to see. Its very small. Possibly green? Tank has been up for about 2 months and I have been through some brown cyano already twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Hard to tell! Would it be possible to take a picture? Is it hairy looking algae? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Not hairy. Honestly it is so small I cant see it. It looks as if the small bubbles are just stuck to the rock but I brushed them off and they were back in half an hour. I will try and get a pic but I dont think it will show. Just a few minutes on the pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 ok I tried taking a pic and I cant get a clear one to save my life no matter the setting. Its just really small and I dont have that great of a camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 upon the closest inspect I can get it almost looks clear/milky green?. It is so small it looks as if the bubbles are just suspended there. I wish I could give a better discription of a good pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 If the bubbles are clear then it sounds like Cyano. If the bubbles are green then it sounds like bubble algae (valonia, kinda looks like a cluster of grapes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 bubbles are clear. It looks like micro bubbles just stuck to the rock but I dont have very many micro bubbles in my tank so Im sure its not that. But bubbles are def clear not colored. But the strings holding them look to be clear/milky green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 But you can blow them off? In which case it wouldn't be valonia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I took a tooth brush and wiped off all of the bubbles and within a half hour the rock was covered in them again. As if the algae is giving off gas. Maybe its dying. Its been like this for about two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Sounds like cyanobacteria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Bad thing? what makes it go away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 What are your water parameters? Could be nitrates, or phosphates. Not uncommon to have several different algaes cycling through in a young tank. Maybe crud collects in that spot and it just needs better flow there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Parameters are all fine. I just tested yesterday. No nitrates, nitrites, or phosphates that show on the test. and the places that have it are areas that have decent flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Hm, I would keep an eye on it and not worry too much if it's just a tiny spot and not spreading. It sounds like a type of cyano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Finch- I have a nice camera. I can come over sometime next weekend and take a picture. if you like. I also have some "red slime remover" which should kill of cyanobacteria if that is what it is. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Ok I will get in touch with you if it seems to be getting worse or if I haven't figured it out by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 This can also happen during the initial cycle of a new system. Bacteria and diatoms build up rapidly converting the CO2 in your water column to micro bubbles of oxygen. If you don't notice a sort of slime algae accumulate than this is likely what is happening. It can also happen after a large water change or if you change the salinity or temperature or expose your tank to an unusually high amount of nutrients such as a large fish or a few fish added at once. Watch it over the next week or so and if it doesn't appear to stop or slow down than you likely have some cyano bacteria build up but if it goes away than you are probably experiencing something very normal. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I managed to get the best pic I can with my camera. [ATTACH]4542[/ATTACH] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Try adjusting a powerhead to blow on that are. If the bubbles go away then it is cyanobacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 bubbles do blow away with a power head but they will just come back after a little while. All of my research is pointing to cyanobacteria. What needs to be done to remove it? is it potentially harmful or something that will go away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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