mystery algae identification

[samrggzy]

So ive noticed this algae popping up in my tank over the past few weeks. It is on the sandbed and rocks and I have looked it up and have not been able to identify it. It is almost fuzzy little balls that coat the surface of my sand and rocks. It definitely doesn’t appear to be one of the typical nuisance algae’s like brown hair, cyano, diatoms, dinos or bubble algae. It does not appear to be bothering anything but I am just looking to know what im dealing with here so any ideas would be much appappreciated.

 

[Dan_P]

So ive noticed this algae popping up in my tank over the past few weeks. It is on the sandbed and rocks and I have looked it up and have not been able to identify it. It is almost fuzzy little balls that coat the surface of my sand and rocks. It definitely doesn’t appear to be one of the typical nuisance algae’s like brown hair, cyano, diatoms, dinos or bubble algae. It does not appear to be bothering anything but I am just looking to know what im dealing with here so any ideas would be much appappreciated.

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The colored lighting is making this tough. Can we see a white light photo?

 

[samrggzy]

The colored lighting is making this tough. Can we see a white light photo?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Better pictures and information in regards to your aquarium will help.

Is it new aquarium

 

[samrggzy]

Better pictures and information in regards to your aquarium will help.

Is it new aquarium

Yes, been running for only a few months, just a pair of clowns, cleaner shrimp and bubble coral as of now.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Hair algae, no mystery here but happy to provide reasurance, turn your lighting down as if look at your aquarium all the growth is from top down, meaning lighting is helping in growth

 

[Dan_P]

Whoa! That’s different. Looks more like a sponge than algae. Great pics by the way. You’ll get an answer now.

 

[Dan_P]

Hair algae, no mystery here but happy to provide reasurance, turn your lighting down as if look at your aquarium all the growth is from top down, meaning lighting is helping in growth

Take a closer look. It seems to be gelatinous not fuzzy.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Easy to remove via manual removal by weekly cleaning and scrubbing with toothbrush to keep on top of it

 

[afrokobe]

Take a closer look. It seems to be gelatinous not fuzzy.

i agree, definitely not hair algae. Not exactly sure what it is though...

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Only after a couple of months it's definitely not 'gelatinous'

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Yes, been running for only a few months, just a pair of clowns, cleaner shrimp and bubble coral as of now.

Yes, others will take a closer look for you

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its a unicellular algae and likely chrysophytes and best way to beat them is to remove rock and scrub with firm toothbrush and 3% peroxide and add snails such as chiton, astrea and ninja star to help with control. Also Pitho crabs
You may have to repeat scrubbing weekly one or two more times

 

[samrggzy]

Whoa! That’s different. Looks more like a sponge than algae. Great pics by the way. You’ll get an answer now.

Right??!! Never seen anything like it. Just hoping its not anything too harmful.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

You can clean in sections before water change, best way to remove is slowly to not unsettle water chemistry.
Clean an inch or two of rocks prior too water change, then repeat weekly/ daily/ fortnightly