Red Slime Algae is the common name for an aquarium troublemaker otherwise known as red cyanobacteria. Since the term cyanobacteria sound like either a bizarre Crayola Crayon color or the bacterial strain in a Michael Crichton novel (how’s that for a dated reference), the more popular term red slime algae tend …
How to get rid of green hair algae
If you’re having problems with green hair algae–you’re not alone. Many of us have struggled with this problem algae in our tanks. It can be a big pain because it can “take over your tank” in a short amount of time. So let’s dive a bit deeper into what causes the …
23 Quick tips: controlling aquarium algae in a saltwater tank
Controlling aquarium algae in a saltwater tank can be so frustrating that it causes some people to shut down their tanks and quit the hobby completely. This article is intended to show you 23 relatively easy steps that can help you regain control of your tank. When reviewing this list, …
4 types of macroalgae that can help keep your phosphates and nitrates down
Here are 4 types of macroalgae that can help get your phosphates and nitrates down: Halimeda Halimeda is a macroalgae that you can actually use as a decorative plant. It is generally hardy in a saltwater tank, growing well under most aquarium conditions. It is relatively hungry for light (thriving …
Coralline algae–the algae you want in your tank
I don’t think the average aquarium owner thinks about algae as being a good thing—but there are algae, Coralline Algae, that are desirable, attractive and a hallmark of a healthy tank. Although the word coral is in coralline algae, they are certainly not corals. Coralline algae are macroalgae that has a calcified …
Mangroves in a reef tank
What is a mangrove? Mangroves trees that grow in coastal regions in tropical geographies. In the U.S., I think of Florida as being the haven for mangroves, although there are mangrove forests covering more than 50,000 square miles, across 118 countries. A dense grouping of mangroves is called a mangrove …
Phytoplankton Strains and Uses in a Saltwater Tank
Phytoplankton Strains and Uses in a Saltwater Tank What are Phytoplankton? Phytoplankton are teeny-tiny (microscopic) plant-like organisms. The name phytoplankton comes from the Greek for “plant drifters” because these photosynthetic creatures typically drift about in the ocean, absorbing sunlight and turning it into delicious sugars. In turn, filter feeding invertebrates, like the …
