Algae Question

[jdm01]

Following are 3 pictures of some type of algae in my tank. I am not sure if it is a macro algae or something else. It has only taken off in the last couple of weeks. I will check my water parameters, but they have been very consistent and well within the recommended ranges. Any thoughts as to type, treatments, and/or solutions are greatly appreciated. Sorry that the picutres are not perfect, but you get the idea.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/jdm01/AlgaeQuestion1.jpg


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/jdm01/AlgaeQuestion2.jpg


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/jdm01/AlgaeQuestion3.jpg

The LFS is kind of at a loss. I can manually remove it if needed. I just do not want to make the problem any worse. The algae in pic #3 I removed manually and it stayed gone for a few weeks and then came back. I have two tangs (naso and pacific blue). Neither touch either form of green stuff. I think the naso is eating some of the brown stuff.

[bertoni]

The middle green alga in the first picture is likely Caulerpa racemosa. It is an invasive pest, in my opinion, and I would suggest removing it now. The second picture I can't identify, but it also looks like a macroalga. I'd probably remove it for safety sake.

The last looks like a typical hair algae or "Bryopsis". Someone will likely chime in with a more positive id, but they are also pests, and I would remove them, and count on more warfare to keep them under control.

[jdm01]

Jonathan, manual removal is 90% complete. I am concerned about proliferation given I removed it manually. Is there something I can do to slow its progress in the future. I have been procrastinating about a refugium. Would that slow this stuff down or remove it?

[bertoni]

A refugium can help. You could also try a kalk paste on any area that might have some leftover bits of alga on it. The kalk paste is dangerous to any animal it touches, though, and needs to be used in small quantities, since it increase the pH, calcium, and alkalinity levels in the tank. I guess I'd try a refugium or some other form of nutrient export and see how it goes, and resort to kalk only if needed.

[jdm01]

What other nutrient export mechanisms are there besides a refugium?

[bertoni]

Skimmers also can help. A phosphate reactor is another possibility.