Black algae? Does it exsist?

[jsdancer]

Has anyone ever had a black form of algae grow in their tank?

I am wondering if this is something I need to worry about.



I also have been noticing that since I have been using a ca reactor my coralline algae has gone from pink and purples to more dark purples and even maroon red.

Could it be possible that my media in the reactor is too old?

Or am I just now seeing my tank mature?



js

[D.Naddy]

what are the best ways to get rid of red hair algae?

[D.Naddy]

Hi all, I have just started to get some green hair algae in my tank, have never had it before so just wondering how to get rid and what the cause might be? Simon

[HT]

For Hair Algae, you probably want to do some water changes first.  I think a sea hare is a good solution, but once the hair algae is removed, it will die of starvation so see if your LFS can rent you one.

[HT]

JS the maroon colored algae...check to see if it is hard or soft.  If it is soft, it's red algae I think.

[Reefd_Up]

Jsdancer - what sort of black algae are we talking about?  Is it slimey and covers everything?  Or does it grow in some sort of organized fashion?  How are your nitrates and phosphates measuring?

D.Naddy - you'll need to find the source of the hair algae in order to combat it.  Look at the first possible source - do you use RO/DI water or are you using tap water?  If you are using RO/DI water, what is your TDS (total dissolved solids) reading?  Next, how often and how much are your water changes?  What are your nitrates and phosphates at?  What is your bioload (how many fish in what size tank and how much do you feed?)  If it's a red slimey algae, it's likely cyanobacteria, in which case you'll need to look at your flow to make sure it's enough...and make sure your lights aren't too old.