Need help to ID algae and a creature

[palmgirl]

Hi all

My tank is 4 months old. Last week, I added MH and actinic lighting.

I am trying to lower my nitrates (currently at 40) and I am attributing the red and green algae growth to that, but the growth started when I began using the lights.
I have them on for 10 hours.

The bubbles also appeared after I started using the lighting as well.

I have included pictures of the algae, the bubbles, and the little critter on the glass.

What type of algae is this and what should I do about the bubbles? What is the little creature?

Thanks!

 

[Fluff]

The critter looks like a serpulid. Which is a just a small tube/featherduster worm. The green is hair algae. The bubbles I'm not sure about. Do you have skimmer that could be adding microbubbles to your tank?

 

[Fluff]

Oh, I almost forgot. Welcome to Aquarium Advice!

 

[palmgirl]

Thanks Fluff, glad to be here! This is a very good forum.

No skimmer purchased yet.

 

[Fluff]

Perhaps the bubbles are from your maxijet or the filter then. You know, with enough liverock and a few well placed powerheads, you could do away with the emperor.

 

[tmcpeek]

Have you tested for phosphates?

 

[palmgirl]

Not yet, tmcpeek, and I do need to do that. My test kit doesn't test for phosphates, so I will be going to the store today to get the tests.

From what I have read, if the nitrates and phosphates are nill, then it should prevent the growth, is that right? Is the green hair algae a prelude to coraline algae? How does coraline algae begin?

Thanks for the replies

 

[Fluff]

Is the green hair algae a prelude to coraline algae? How does coraline algae begin?

Unfortunately not. It's feeding off nutrients in your water. Find the fueling source and you'll get rid of it.