From: jimh@ultra.com (Jim Hurley)
Newsgroups: rec.aquaria
Subject: Algae descriptions: Re: [F] Tough hair algae question
Date: 19 Dec 92 22:33:35 GMT
Organization: Ultra Network Technologies


I like this thread, algae descriptions are always confusing.  I've
added my comments next to George's, not to get into an argument, but to
add my two cents. We should come to a consensus on this.

Other algae types George doesn't mention:

blue-green algae - the type that is very bright, grows in sheets, and
is a sign of bad water (stagnant water, or high bacteria count). It is
a cyano-bacteria and not a true algae. It covers the tops and surfaces
of plants and can cover a whole plant. Snails will eat this.

brown algae - the kind that grows on gravel when the lights are bright.
These are really diatoms and are usually caused by excess phosphates or
silicates. It can be removed from glass easily and stirring the
gravel around will hide it. I don't think many fish or snails eat it,
maybe plecos...

spot algae - grows on the sides of tanks in the brightest spots. Appears
as tiny green dots that are perfectly round and slowly enlarge. Very
tough to remove from acrylic. Nothing seems to eat it.

In <2800260@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> booth@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (George Booth) writes:

[...]

-->I would like to clarify what I am calling "hair algae".  This is bright 
-->green and only grows on plant leaves.  Individual strands have a very fine 
-->texture but it grows in thick patches and looks just like a green beard.  
-->It grows up to 1.5" (3.81 cm).  It cannot be removed mechanically.  I would
-->prefer to call this "beard algae", but the original poster call it "hair"
-->algae so I followed suit. 

I would prefer to call that beard algae, as well. It is a higher form
of algae, just below true plants. (kind-a like a micro-Java Moss).
Snails like it and many fish (not just algae-eaters) do, too.

-->What I call "hair algae" tends to grow in bright green clumps in the gravel,
-->around the base of plants like Echinodorus and around mechanical objects.
-->It has a coarser texture than "beard algae".  Beard algae will ripple
-->in the water current, hair algae tends to form twisted clumps.  Individual
-->strands can get to 1-2" (before we remove them).  This is easy to remove
-->mechanically by twirling a toothbrush in it. I have heard that folks in 
-->Europe culture this for fish to eat. 

I've heard this called 'brush-algae' - I guess because everyone uses
a toothbrush to removed it?    1/2 ;-)

-->We have also had a form of this that grew in much smaller clumps and was a 
-->grey-green.  It tended to form individual pieces that looked like stag
-->horns.  We call this "staghorn algae".  

Never saw this type.

-->Some plants get a peach-fuzz like algae growing on them which seems to 
-->grow in individual strands about 1/8 high.  Most algae eaters seem to 
-->relish this type.  Maybe it's a less active form of beard algae.  I would
-->call it "peach-fuzz" algae. 

I just call this 'green algae'. It also grows on the sides of tanks.

-->If we get the iron concentration above 0.15 ppm, we tend to find "thread 
-->algae" growing off some of the stem plants.  This grows in long, thin
-->strands up to 8-12" long.  Very easy to mechanically remove. 

I always thought this was the same as 'brush-algae'.

-->The final type we have seen is "red brush algae".  This is grows in black 
-->tufts about 1/8" high and tends to collect on slower growing leaves like
-->Anubias and some Echinodorus.  It also likes mechanical objects like 
-->heaters, powerheads, etc.  It cannot be removed mechanically.  We remove
-->the affected leaves.  

This is what I call 'hair algae'. It is a red algae, but looks pitch black.
Hardly anything eats it. It is caused by excessive iron/phosphates, etc.
A well fertilized tank always seems to be on the verge of breaking
out with this type.

-->Maybe if these descriptions are applicable, we could add algae descriptions
-->to the FAQ to facilitate these discussions.  If anyone has an algae 
-->reference book (Neil?), maybe scientific names could be added, as well as
-->marine types. 

-->-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->George L. Booth                                Author, Aquarium Fish Magazine
-->booth@hplvec.lvld.hp.com                      Member, Rainbowfish Study Group
-->Software Development Engineer               Member, Colorado Aquarium Society
-->Manufacturing Test Division            Member, Aquatic Gardener's Association
-->Hewlett-Packard Company                Author, Aquatic Gardener's Association
-->Loveland, Colorado                Founding Member, The Colorado Aquarium, Inc
-->         /\                     Member, The Colorado Aquarium Plant Committee
-->    /\  /  \/\           Chairman, The Colorado Aquarium Filtration Committee
-->___/  \/   /  \___  Member, The Colorado Aquarium S.E. Asia Exhibit Committee
-->-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

George - have you ever been warlorded? (see alt.fan.warlord)
-- 
Jim Hurley --> jimh@ultra.com  ...!ames!ultra!jimh  (408) 922-0100
Ultra Network Technologies / 101 Daggett Drive / San Jose CA 95134