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Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
Blue-green algae are technically not algae at all in fact they are a bacteria. Due to fact they are aquatic and make their own food they are considered an algae.
This group of bacteria is called the Cyanobacteria.
The Blue Green Algae are very small and single celled but can grow large enough to colonies your saltwater aquarium. their colours can vary from a\black to red though to purple.
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Like a lot of bacteria, these type of algae in your substrate are beneficial to the health of your saltwater aquarium. They feast on detritus (organic wastes).
They form a dark brownish-red gelatinous mat called red slime which can result from poor water quality, high nutrients level and poor water circulation.
They can form on rocks, gravel, and plants in your saltwater aquarium and produce toxins that poison the saltwater aquarium fish. They must be physically removed with a siphon during a partial water change.
There are several products readily available on the market nowadays to help eliminate slime algae, but the key is to stay on top of your water chemistry, water changes, and water motion or circulation.
For more information on commn 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
Diatoms Algae
Diatoms are microscopic cells composed of overlapping half shells of silica, which spend their lives floating in the ocean or in the sediments near the bottom.
Their silica shells, called frustules, are microscopic size and makes them hard to see.
The Diatom’s iIn the ocean form a major part of the “plant-plankton” called phytoplankton, which provides important food for the “animal-plankton” called zooplankton.
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These algae spread rapidly with high nitrate levels and generally are the first algae to establish themselves in your saltwater aquarium. They form a brown slime on the gravel, rocks, decoration and aquarium glass.
As your saltwater aquarium matures, they should disappear. Scrape them away to keep a clear view of your saltwater aquarium fish when they become obvious.
Like all algae, the best way to deal with this type is by targeting its prevention. To produce their frustule and live out their lifecycle, they need abundant silicates or silicic acid.
Silica sand is a common source, so it is highly recommended that you use a limestone sand or gravel instead.
Some commercial salts for mixing marine water will also increase the levels of silicates – be sure to read the labels and before you add.
Also, try to keep invertebrates such as snails. They will roam the saltwater aquarium, walls, rocks and even the hard to reach spots and feed on algae.
For more information on commn 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
Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
Brown Algae is form the Phaeophyta group and consists of around 3,000 species, which are mostly seaweeds.
Their results from the dominance of a xanthophylls pigment, which masks other pigments including chlorophyll.
Colors range from pale beige to yellow-brown to almost black.
The most common form of brown Algae is called kelp. They are the largest algae and can grow greater than 200 feet in length. Some forms come attached to live rock when purchased.
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Like the red algae, brown algae are beneficial for saltwater aquariums.
They start there life as brown patches on the gravel and/or glass, then quickly covers most surfaces of the saltwater aquarium with a thin, dark brown coating.
It can easily be removed and wiped away. Most common in a newly set up aquarium. It is usually caused by several things like too little light, an excess of silicates, an abundance of nutrients, and too little oxygen.
Silicates can build up through tap water that is high in silicic acid, and silicates that leech from some types of substrates.
Wipe off the surface and siphon the gravel during partial water changes you do. You can also use silicate absorbing resin in your saltwater aquarium filter. If you increase the duration of the lighting, they will inhibit re-growth.
As your saltwater aquarium matures, they should be eliminated naturally by plants and green algae (Chlorophyta) that will competing for nutrients.
As with most common saltwater aquarium algae, keeping the tank clean and performing regular water changes is one of the best preventative measures for algae.
Unfortunately it is still possible to get algae in spite of regular maintenance, especially in a newly established aquarium.
Prompt attention to sudden algae growth will prevent more serious problems.
For more information on commn 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
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.
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