GHA or Bryopsis

[Jkraft136]

Need to make sure i diagnos this right before i start trying to work on it :P

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/th_100_0539.jpg (http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/?action=view&current=100_0539.jpg)

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/th_100_0541.jpg (http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/?action=view&current=100_0541.jpg)


http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/th_100_0540.jpg (http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/?action=view&current=100_0540.jpg)


http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/th_100_0543.jpg (http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/?action=view&current=100_0543.jpg)

[kraze3]

[welcome]

pics are kind of small check these links
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/algae.html

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/algaepage.htm

[Jkraft136]

There thumbnails so click and they get bigger. I'm leaning towards GHA but want to make 100% sure.

[Jkraft136]

Bump :)

[kraze3]

Didnt realize they could be enlarged. Its GHA. I would scrub the rocks with a toothbrush or pick off as much as possible. Test for nitrates and phosphates. You can also try 3 days with no lights after manual removal.

[Nerdy Nudi]

best way to check is to feel it or take it out of the water.

gha will "melt" and feels slimey. bryopsis feels more like brillow and will retain its shape out of water.

good luck.

if its bryopsis, check your magnesium levels, fellow reefers have told me raising magnesium eradicates it, but Ive not done it myself.

[Jkraft136]

Well it does feel like I'm grabbing thread when I grab it out. I'm going to pick up a sea hare tonight to see if it will mow it down

[KarlBob]

If you look at it up close, the structure of the algae can help to determine whether it is bryopsis or not. Hair algae is usually just long, individual "threads". Bryopsis has a feathery look, with lots of tiny filaments extending from each stalk.

Edit: I've heard the magnesium trick suggested for both hair algae and bryopsis. Unfortunately, whether you're adding magnesium or sea hares, if you still have sources of nitrate in your tank, the algae will eventually come back.

[chris4869]

It's the common hair algae. Adding a few snails (or a tang) will keep them at bay. Bryopsis are very delicate looking (like down feathers) and grow in tighter clump.

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/100_0539.jpg

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/100_0540.jpg

http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq119/Jkraft136/100_0543.jpg

[Jkraft136]

Ok thanks chris. I just bought a small blue spotted sea hare and he seems to be going to town on the GHA already :)