Lyngbya algae ?? Risk move to new tank??

[camellia]

From the site "Alage ID" I believe I have had this this algae for about 4 months. It comes off very easy, is reddish brown and has no truck (root).

Its not on any rock or coral only the back if the glass where the power heads are blowing and on the power heads. I've allowed it to grow on the thermostat for over 2 months to get this picture. Its not very aggressive, I clean it off the back glass weekly prior to a water change but I'm not eliminating the problem. I'm not home enough to clean it more often which might help?

I want to move into my new set up but don't know if I should chance taking this algae with me.
Any advise, suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks

 

[mcphock]

If you're concerned, why chance it? Don't know how concerned you are with your new setup, but that (i assume) is an awful lot of work to be potentially contaminated from the get-go.

 

[camellia]

Your right, I've waited for months now for just that reason but I'm not getting rid of it either! Its actually minimal when cleaned weekly.
The reason I want to get it over is all my "smart" equipment is on the new tank and maintaing both tanks right now is very difficult. I've also got helpers doing top offs and the original set up is on hard woods that are taking a beating.
Since the algae is only visible on the glass, power heads and "hard surfaces" I'm wondering if I would even be taking it with me?
I'm not going to add any old water or sand etc. do you think its really on the live rock just not heavily enough to be visible?
Any one with advise thats had this type of algae before?
Thanks

 

[ghbrewer]

Do you have a crab that might be eating it off of the rocks? My emerald crab keeps my rock and corals clean of any nuisance algae, but anything he cannot reach on my back glass or overflow has to be cleaned before water changes.

 

[camellia]

I've got one small emerald crab. I love that guy, watch him eat all the time so idk but seems like it would be able to keep up!

 

[mcphock]

Have you searched wet web media, regarding?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/results.html?cx=partner-pub-4522959445250520%3Ap7g47g81naq&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Lyngbya&sa=Search&siteurl=www.wetwebmedia.com%2F&ref=&ss=16j256j2">http://www.wetwebmedia.com/results.html?cx=partner-pub-4522959445250520%3Ap7g47g81naq&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Lyngbya&sa=Search&siteurl=www.wetwebmedia.com%2F&ref=&ss=16j256j2</a>

That's apparently a difficult to identify/confirm algae without a microscope. If it is Lyngbya as you believe, that's a kind of cyanobacteria. I wouldn't want to introduce that into my new tank...but anything wet can carry it over.

Did you ever end up carbon dosing?

 

[camellia]

McPhock;931344 wrote: Have you searched wet web media, regarding?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/results.html?cx=partner-pub-4522959445250520%3Ap7g47g81naq&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Lyngbya&sa=Search&siteurl=www.wetwebmedia.com%2F&ref=&ss=16j256j2">http://www.wetwebmedia.com/results.html?cx=partner-pub-4522959445250520%3Ap7g47g81naq&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Lyngbya&sa=Search&siteurl=www.wetwebmedia.com%2F&ref=&ss=16j256j2</a>

That's apparently a difficult to identify/confirm algae without a microscope. If it is Lyngbya as you believe, that's a kind of cyanobacteria. I wouldn't want to introduce that into my new tank...but anything wet can carry it over.

Did you ever end up carbon dosing?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I am carbon dosing but concerned to go higher. My tank is a 45 + 10 gal sump and I'm up to 4mm and its still there.

I have read the above and even dosed with Kent M for 3 months! It really is hard to get rid of it evidently. Its not bad or overwhelming, its just LINGERING FOREVER! I'm getting frustrated maintaining two tanks and don't know what else to do to rid it.

Any suggestions?

Edit: I've been vodka dosing for 5 months.

 

[mcphock]

Well, what are your nitrates and phosphates currently at?

4"mm" (I assume you mean ml) does seem like a good bit, but I only have experience with my tank.

 

[camellia]

McPhock;931344 wrote: Have you searched wet web media, regarding?

That's apparently a difficult to identify/confirm algae without a microscope. If it is Lyngbya as you believe, that's a kind of cyanobacteria. I wouldn't want to introduce that into my new tank...but anything wet can carry it over.

Did you ever end up carbon dosing?

OMG, just read the article Bob suggested in the link you provided regarding Lyngbya and I'm totally confused. It said (as you did) it lives on all living organisms; rock, sand, coral... My algae has never attached to anything but the glass on back where I've got small hydro Korilla's behind my (large) rock wall.
I HATE algae it makes my want to break down and CRY!

 

[mcphock]

It certainly can be frustrating, and I've had my own battles with things in the past.

For my money, I think you might be asking the wrong question. Instead of "can I avoid transmission?", you might want to consider "How can I eradicate?". Even if you avoid transmission of this particular algae, if you're providing the conditions under which algae can thrive, something (anything) will take hold in the new tank.

Hence me asking you about NO3 and PO4.

 

[camellia]

McPhock;931472 wrote: It certainly can be frustrating, and I've had my own battles with things in the past.

For my money, I think you might be asking the wrong question. Instead of "can I avoid transmission?", you might want to consider "How can I eradicate?". Even if you avoid transmission of this particular algae, if you're providing the conditions under which algae can thrive, something (anything) will take hold in the new tank.

Hence me asking you about NO3 and PO4.

&lt;2

Undetectable

 

[mcphock]

Hmmmm, seems hard to believe. Why not shoot a query over to the wetwebmedia folks? It's free and incredible source of knowledge for the hobby.

 

[jdavid]

Here are my 3 simple steps for ridding your tank of nuisance algae BEFORE it gets out of control

1. Manual removal and water change. I clean the glass, equipment, and anything else I can pull out of the tank. I don't pull the rocks out. Then I do a WC.

2. Run or replace media for phosphates

3. Lights out. 2 days with no lights

This always works well for me.

 

[camellia]

McPhock;931740 wrote: Hmmmm, seems hard to believe. Why not shoot a query over to the wetwebmedia folks? It's free and incredible source of knowledge for the hobby.

Ok, I'll give it a shot and let ya know.

Edit:

JDavid;931830 wrote: Here are my 3 simple steps for ridding your tank of nuisance algae BEFORE it gets out of control

1. Manual removal and water change. I clean the glass, equipment, and anything else I can pull out of the tank. I don't pull the rocks out. Then I do a WC.

2. Run or replace media for phosphates

3. Lights out. 2 days with no lights

This always works well for me.

Lol, I'm following your plan. Cleaned the glass yesterday (only place I see it) did a large water change and unplugged lights this morning. Funny cause I just now read your post. I hope it works, would love to switch over to new tank!

Thanks