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Red Algae (Rhodophyta)
This group of red algae is called Rhodophyta, they consist of approx 6,000 species and most of them are marine seaweeds.
They get their red appearance due to the pigment call phycoerythin, which absorbs blue light and reflects back red light. Their coloration, will depend on how much of this pigment they reflect and can range from reddish yellow to bright red to greenish blue and brown.
Because blue light penetrates much deeper than our colors, these algae usually live at deeper depths and are well adapted to low lighting conditions.
They can be added to your saltwater aquarium by introducing live rocks.
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The most common are from of Red Algae called coralline algae, which secrete a hard calcareous shell the way corals do.
They are also considered to be important in the formation of tropical reef.
They are beneficial to your saltwater aquarium, encrusting rocks and even spreading to fixtures and glass.
For more information on types of Algae’s see below:
- Chlorophyta or Green Algae
- Rhodophyta or Red Algae
- Phaeophyta group - Brown Algae
- Diatoms
- A group of bacteria called the Cyanobacteria - Blue-green Algae
For general information on Saltwater Aquarium Algae click here.
Recommended Algae Products by Saltwater Aquarium Guide
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Green Algae (Chlorophyta)
Believe it or not there is over 7,000 species of Green Algae, and have been split into many groups and have become easier to remember as an result.
These are the most diverse group of algae, but only 10% of them are in marine forms and they are generally the beneficial type of algae to have.
They are color green because of the chlorophyll pigments, mant are seaweeds and appear as a green cloudiness in the water. It forms a green film on the aquarium glass sometimes.
Larger ones may come in desirable plant-like shapes or less desirable hair and mat-like forms. But the most attractive are cultivated and sold as an attractive additions to the aquariums.
Saltwater Aquarium Algae
The growth of Algae in your saltwater aquarium is natural, the algae can be seen as good or bad depending on whether or not they become unmanageable and get out of control.
We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of algae in your saltwater aquarium, also look at different algae types, including those that you want to keep.
SO WHAT ARE THEY?
They are photosynthetic organisms that occur throughout the wordl from fresh to saltwater and range from north to south pole. They are a simple form of organisms that range in size from the one-celled microscopic types to large seaweeds that grow to beyond 230 feet in length.
They are extremely hardy organisms that have a tremendous reproductive capacity.
They can enter your aquarium as algal spores borne by the air or carried by tank furnishing from another aquarium.
Algae is bottom of the food chain therefore are important form of organism, they provide oxygen and food for aquatic life and will adopt to all types of water conditions.
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They can be planktonic, meaning they float freely in the ocean and when they do they are called microalgae . The term seaweed refers to larger species of called macroalgae , that live in the marine environment attached to the bottom.
In your saltwater aquarium, algae can be found on the waters surface or on the surfaces of the aquarium glass, rocks, gravel, coral, and decorations.
Many are introduced on live rock or coral, but some enter your saltwater aquarium though the water from other aquarium and as spores.
Even though theres many different types of algae they all have a common requirement they need lights to grow and nutrients like nitrates and phosphates are the fertilizers to survive.
Strong Aquarium lighting and nitrate from the nitrogen cycle let them grow, during this cycle at the start of your aquarium set up the algae will bloom.
But why do a lot of people think that they are a nuisance?
Many aquarium hobbyists believe thattheir saltwater aquariums must be clean and sterile looking which means it is clean and healthy. They will remove as much as much of it as they can , but if you snorkel or can scuba dive in the oceans you will find theres algae everywhere.
They are important part of the natural coral reef ecosystem. Many of the fish and invertebrates feed on them alone. So learn to promote there growth in your saltwater aquarium, but remove some as a routine to maintain your tank.
When They Get Out of Control
Everyones aquarium will get over run with algae once in a while, excessive amount consume oxygen during the night and covers live corals and live rock. They clog the saltwater aquarium filtration system and are very unsightly to your vision.
When you experience algae bloom, it is a sign that something is wrong in your aquarium. Remember that they need light and nutrients to survive so check on these factors when they become a nuisance.
- Light
- Nutrients
Try to set your aquarium far from where there is a direct sunlight as this cant be controlled lighting.
Keep natural lighting under control. Keep the aquarium lighting on 10-14 hours for planted aquariums and 6-10 if you only have ornament set ups.
Also, use only aquarium lamps! Other fluorescent limited spectrum of light invites outbreak. And change the bulbs frequently.
As these bulbs ages, they lose their spectrum and intensity. Once the spectrum changes, unwated growth will be expected.
Its favorite nutrient is phosphate. Remove it by using phosphate controlling media for your filtration system.
Another source of nutrients is when you over feed your saltwater fish, corals and other inhabitants you may have in your aquarium. Try reducing to a single feed to control the growth of algae.
Add extra plants to your saltwater aquarium, as these will complete for the light and nutrients of the algae.
Know Your Algae
The following are the ones that you are most likely will encounter:
- Chlorophyta or Green Algae
- Rhodophyta or Red Algae
- Phaeophyta group - Brown Algae
- Diatoms
- A group of bacteria called the Cyanobacteria - Blue-green Algae
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Fish Basic Nutrients- Building Blocks of Fish Nutrition
Saltwater fish like all other animals require dietary requirements, the basic saltwater fish nutrients include protein, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Generally our understanding of fish nitrition is limited at best and the exact requirements of each species are not known or poorly understood.
Research has provided basic guidelines for feeding our saltwater fish.
Proteins
It is important to maintain the normal growth in our fishes, and when the saltwater fish diet is low in protein, growth rates, tissue repair, and disease resistance are affected. Younger fish require more proteins in their diet than older fish.
Lipids (fat)
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Lipids, commonly known as fats or fish oils are critical portion of the saltwater fishes diet, they are used an energy source and are required for various components.
Carbohydrates
They are broken down into units of glucose, which is major source of energy. They can also be converted to lipids for energy storage much like ourselfs.
While carbohydrates are an important part of the fish’s diet, not all can utilize its efficiency. Fresh water fish are efficient users and saltwater fish are not.
So, carbohydrates should not be a large part of your saltwater fish’s diet. Large amount of carbohydrates in the diet can cause liver degeneration and diet-related diseases.
Fiber
Fiber is the indigestible portion of a food,most fiber in a fish diets is derived from plant material and majority of commercial dry food include plant materials.
There is no guideline established for the amounts of fiber in a saltwater fish’s diet. But, it is believed that high amount will impair the proper digestion of other nutrients in a diet which results to less nutrients intake.
Vitamins
Vitamins are required in the diets of ALL fish, not only saltwater, they provide the necessary ingredients for proper metabolism and skeletal stability.
As with other nutrients, the need for vitamins vary with the species of saltwater fish, size and age, water temperature amount of stress in the environment, diet, and other related factors.
Signs of saltwater fish that has less vitamin intake are weight loss, loss of pigmentation, slow growth, blindness, and increased chances to diseases and infections.
Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals also provide the necessary ingredients for proper metabolism and skeletal stability, fish have the ability to absorb some minerals directly form their environment.
Since saltwater fish swallow small amounts of water in the aquarium, they are ingesting minerals beyond their minimum requirements.
Iodine deficiency is the most common mineral deficiency in the saltwater fish diets. Calcium and phosphorous are required for normal growth. Lack of these can cause they spine to curve and deformed skulls in fish.
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
Saltwater Fish Treatment Methods
Here are you will find a few and common saltwater diseases treatment methods that are available when diseases strike on of your saltwater fish.
Stick to commerical and not homemade remedies
Try to use treatments that are available commercially instead of homemade remedies.
Remove the activated carbon from your filters system when you medicate your aquarium. As carbon neutralizes many medications.
Direct aquarium treatment method
This involves applying therapeutic agents directly into your saltwater aquarium with the fish that has the disease.
This method is sometimes called the long bath but this methd is not always effective though.
Medication can be absorbed by the aquarium decorations or filter media or they may be toxic to filter bacteria.
Fish medications are also toxic to invertebrates therefore is better to isolate the fish in another aquarium tank.
The hospital tank
Most aquarist isolates the fish that is infected in a quarantine tank. This is also called the isolation tank or “isolation tank”.
The fish or invertebrate can be evaluated for signs of disease before it is introduced back into the main saltwater aquarium.
Setting up the hospital tank will reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading to other fishes. It helps you to treat the fish without subjecting other fish to the treatment. It also helps observe and diagnose the ailing fish better.
As you become more and more expert in this hobby, you will get expensive fish that you won’t want to expose to disease. A hospital will be mandatory. It can also be used as a quarantine tank as long as it has not recently housed a fish that has a disease.
The dip treatment method
This one involves removing the infected fish from the aquarium and dipping it into a bath containing therapeutic agent or fresh water.
The dip is brief enough so that you will not injure the fish, but long enough to kill the disease.
This method doesn’t treat the main saltwater aquarium but solely the fish.
The freshwater dip involves dipping a saltwater fish that is infested with parasites into a freshwater bath for three to five minutes.
How to preapre the dip tank:
Internal medication
Some remedies must have to be done internally and not some form of adding the medication to the water. This is usually done by injection or by feeding the remedy to the fish.
Do not do the injecting yourself if your not experienced! Feeding the fish the food that is medicated is as hard as well.
Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide
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