Orange Algae?

shaunakadub

shaunakadub

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Feb 2, 2006
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Anyone ever seen/had/heard/anything of this or am I just crazy?

I have a fake giant anemome in my 10gallon tank:


(Older picture, doesn't show the orange stuff)

Anywhoo, this orange algae type stuff is growing on it in small patches. The water parms are fine, and all the fish are healthy as could be. I did a quick google search and the only thing I found about orange algae was either A.) Something to do with coral reef, and B.) Something to do with the bark of some tree.

Anyone?
 
shaunakadub said:
Anyone ever seen/had/heard/anything of this or am I just crazy?

I have a fake giant anemome in my 10gallon tank:(Older picture, doesn't show the orange stuff)

Anywhoo, this orange algae type stuff is growing on it in small patches. The water parms are fine, and all the fish are healthy as could be. I did a quick google search and the only thing I found about orange algae was either A.) Something to do with coral reef, and B.) Something to do with the bark of some tree.

Anyone?
Click to expand...
Two references on freshwater orange algae in general:

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200102/msg00233.html
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200102/msg00234.html

One reference to an over-abundance of iron in a freshwater stream as being the culprit:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug2000/967265872.En.r.html

I would like to note that some paints/pastels/ceramic glazes are made with pigments that contain iron oxide. Some of these are burnt sienna, red and yellow ochres, and oxide red.

I don't know where your ornament was made or what it was painted with, but it could very well be the culprit. Try removing it from the tank and see if the orange algae goes away.

Roan
 
Thanks for the info Roan.

As for now, I took it out and gave it a good rinsing, and places it back in only because:
1.) It is quite big so it gives the tank some character.
2.) It's my cory's favorite hiding spot.

As soon as I find some driftwood suitable for a 10gallon tank, i'm going to leave it in there. The orange algae was easily removed from it, so that wasn't a big problem.

Note: I've asked this in another thread but got 0 responses, so maybe someone could give me a quick hint in here... Where online is the best place to buy driftwood?

Thanks again Roan, and anyone who may chime in after this post.
 
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