hair algae or maidens hair?

[JLAudio]

Ok, im pretty sure this is just hair algae, but it actually appears more like maidens hair and is a thick and fairly attractive algae in my tank that nothing seems to mess with. Its only growing on one particular rock

 

[wxl14]

Looks like hair to me

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

They look toadstool hair algae to me-bushy and brush like. I like them in DT.

 

[JLAudio]

They look toadstool hair algae to me-bushy and brush like. I like them in DT.

what is DT?

 

[JLAudio]

They look toadstool hair algae to me-bushy and brush like. I like them in DT.

whats is DT

 

[reefman]

lush hairy algea. looks very healthy. good luck with it

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

whats is DT

Display Tank

 

[JLAudio]

lush hairy algea. looks very healthy. good luck with it

Ok, im gonna assume a little sarcasm and I deserve it for question, however whats weird about this is
A. Phosphates almost undetectable according to AP test kit (not the best)
B. Only on one rock and not a speck anywhere else.
C. oddly attractive, bordering on something I would keep if it didnt spread (like it probably will)
D. currently RODI since day 1, phos reactor

only reason for nieve question

 

[reefman]

dont bother testing for po4 with ap test kit or most other brands unless its low range hana. ifs its only on that rock n not anywhere else, y worry. if u like it, keep it.
maybe that rock have the algea seeded in it or that rock has absorb alot of nutrient so the algea is lving off that.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Are they very soft and fine or bushy like a brush?

If the former(maiden hair), they are sensitive to high nitrate -meaning that if your tank parameters are not good and that you have too much nitrate, they will die.


If the latter, they usually will not take over the real estate of coral. In fact, I see a lot of the times, zoa will expand into the bushy territory. Pods love this type of algae more than any other I have seen.

 

[JLAudio]

Are they very soft and fine or bushy like a brush?

If the former(maiden hair), they are sensitive to high nitrate -meaning that if your tank parameters are not good and that you have too much nitrate, they will die.


If the latter, they usually will not take over the real estate of coral. In fact, I see a lot of the times, zoa will expand into the bushy territory. Pods love this type of algae more than any other I have seen.

Yes it is very fine and bushy, not stringy at all, and kind of shiny.

Thanks aqua, from you assesment I would say it sounds like either way it isnt too bad

 

[JLAudio]

dont bother testing for po4 with ap test kit or most other brands unless its low range hana. ifs its only on that rock n not anywhere else, y worry. if u like it, keep it.
maybe that rock have the algea seeded in it or that rock has absorb alot of nutrient so the algea is lving off that.

Yea, thats why I kinda take my phos readings w/ a grain of salt but the test kit usually picks up on the extremes (extremely high, or extremely low) from my experience.

Im kind of paranoid w/ my tank because I put a lot of thought, time, $$$ etc. and am very happy with its progress and when I see something thats gonna jepordize that....Well then it has to be dealt with (i.e. ripping out every damn hair algae strain with a tweezer, if need be).

 

[OctaviousMonk]

I actually let this grow in my tank and find it attractive. So far it has never become a nuisance to me in the 15 months the tank has been up. It will spread and when It grows someplace I dislike I remove it. It does work to export some nutrients but doesn't grow as fast as regular hair algae or chaeto and I think my fuge stuffed with chaeto also helps to keep the stuff in check. The algae does have a thick root system and sometimes takes up some rock surface when pulled out. It is as all other things tank related your opinion as to what you want to do with it. If you consider it a nuisance or don't want to be bothered then remove it if not leave it be and just keep an eye on it.