Algae questions

[Walter White]

So a couple questions concerning two different types of algae.

First queastion:
I noticed just recently that I had some bright green film algae that was growing in a pefectly straight line across one side of the tank. I realized after a few days that with the sun changing position in the sky I was getting about a 2-3 hour period where the sun was coming through a small window high in the ceiling bouncing off the hardwood floor and up into the tank. I was baffled for some time as I would watch and never see the sun directly hit the tank. Anyway I took care of the problem and the algae appears to have ceased in growing but is still left behind. I have one turbo snail that seems to help a little but I'm wondering if there is something better. Or should I just add another turbo or two?

Second question:
I have also noticed that in the dark areas of the tank mostly under rocks and in caves where there is little to no light I have what appears to be grey algae growing. I'm not sure if this is normal or not and it dosnt appear to hurting anything. My worry is that maybe its not algae at all but detritus build up or some other crud due to lack of skimmer and or flow in those areas. Anyone got suggestions?

I am going to start trying to siphon it out with each water change to see if that helps.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Could the gray "algae" be a sponge of some sort? I dont think i have ever seen gray algae. Oh and scrape the green algae off the glass.

 

[that0neguy1126]

Just scrape the green algae off. It will get into the water column and get eaten when it settles, or get taken out by whatever filtration you have.
The gray algae could be algae that started to grow then died off due to lack of light.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Generally algae wont grow in a no light area thats why it sounds like a sponge. Sponge will normally grow under rocks and inside of caves were there is little to no light.

 

[Walter White]

It totally could be but it dosnt look like any spong I have ever seen though not that it means much. I am still an uber noob. It really does look like algae in texture though. A sponge makes way more sense considering its in the dark.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Can you get a picture? Does it look similar to this?

 

[Walter White]

I'll try to get a pic. The color in your pic looks the same but the texture dose not look the same. That's the texture I am used to seeing with sponges

 

[Walter White]

best pic I could get.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Hey Kris, how old is this tank?

 

[Walter White]

somewhere between 4-5 months i think

 

[Walter White]

I started with dry marco rock too

 

[Off The Deep End]

Foraminiferans

 

[Off The Deep End]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t219526.html

 

[Walter White]

yeah that looks like it I suppose not finding anything in regard to if its a problem or not or if it can become a problem. Anyone know?

 

[Off The Deep End]

Seems like the only down side is if it tries to take over your tank, how fast does yours grow?

 

[Walter White]

faster than I like. dosnt grow in light though or dosnt appear two perhaps it has to do more with flow than light. Ill just start sucking it out with each water change it dosnt seem to grow that fast. This tank is just temporary anyway. You cant even see it unless you look with a flash light into parts of the tank that dosnt have anything interesting anyway. My worry was that ii could be toxic. Dosnt seem like thats the case. Thanks for the info!!