Algae ID

[Adam1985]

Hi all,

Recently I changed skimmers and my chaeto died off, and now is back with a different texture (weird right - it’s much thicker, darker green, and stiffer than earlier) and what seems to be a new species or algae has started growing on the water surface.

Any idea what this is stuff is? Tried to take a picture both in bright sunlight and in the refugium. Refugium picture was taken during the dark period of the day as my light is so strong it’s hard to take a good photo during the lighted period.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[SPR1968]

I can’t help with the specific question but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some attention

 

[Adam1985]

I can’t help with the specific question but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some attention

Thank you so much.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Hi all,

Recently I changed skimmers and my chaeto died off, and now is back with a different texture (weird right - it’s much thicker, darker green, and stiffer than earlier) and what seems to be a new species or algae has started growing on the water surface.

Any idea what this is stuff is? Tried to take a picture both in bright sunlight and in the refugium. Refugium picture was taken during the dark period of the day as my light is so strong it’s hard to take a good photo during the lighted period.

Thanks,

Adam

On my phone, so hard to tell, but looks like ulva (sea lettuce) that bunched up some while growing. Google sea lettuce and compare to some of the pics. There are a few types, so may have to dig a little to see something similar, but does look close to it.

 

[reddevilant]

It's likely a species of Enteromorpha which is very similar to Ulva.

 

[WheatToast]

Any idea what this is stuff is? Tried to take a picture both in bright sunlight and in the refugium. Refugium picture was taken during the dark period of the day as my light is so strong it’s hard to take a good photo during the lighted period.

It's likely a species of Enteromorpha which is very similar to Ulva.

Species which were once classified in the genus, Enteromorpha (Gutweed), are now considered part of the genus Ulva (Sea lettuce), though I agree OP's algae is likely one of these (in that case, Gutweed and Sea lettuce are both great at exporting nutrients and housing microinvertebrates in addition to being nutritious for herbivorous fish) or is related.
What is throwing me off, however, is the excessive "wrinkling" of OP's algae not usually characteristic of Ulva (maybe this has to do with lighting though; my Ulva, does wrinkle more with heavier light exposure).
@Adam1985 if you have any of this mystery algae deeper within your refugium, does it grow in flatter sheets?

 

[Adam1985]

Species which were once classified in the genus, Enteromorpha (Gutweed), are now considered part of the genus Ulva (Sea lettuce), though I agree OP's algae is likely one of these (in that case, Gutweed and Sea lettuce are both great at exporting nutrients and housing microinvertebrates in addition to being nutritious for herbivorous fish) or is related.
What is throwing me off, however, is the excessive "wrinkling" of OP's algae not usually characteristic of Ulva (maybe this has to do with lighting though; my Ulva, does wrinkle more with heavier light exposure).
@Adam1985 if you have any of this mystery algae deeper within your refugium, does it grow in flatter sheets?

Thanks for all of your great comments. As far as the mystery algae location goes, it seems to only exist as shown in the original pictures. So far I haven’t found it deeper in the refugium or anywhere else.

I’ve grown my fair share of ulva over the years and my impression was that this new stuff at least not your run of the mill sea lettuce.

I do have a microscope and could prepare a slide and take some photos if it’d help.

Thanks so much everyone