Green Film

Various Chlorophyta species

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Species data

🟩 Green Film Algae (Microalgae Film)
Scientific Name: Various Chlorophyta species
Common Name: Green Film, Glass Algae
Appearance: Thin, bright green layer on glass or acrylic
Reef Safe: ✅ Harmless but unsightly
Temperament: Fast-growing and persistent
Diet: Photosynthetic – thrives on light and trace nutrients
Tank Role: Early sign of light/nutrient imbalance

Description

🔍 Description:
Green film algae appears as a thin, even coating on tank walls and overflow boxes. It’s easy to wipe off with a magnet cleaner but can return quickly without a proper cleanup crew. While not harmful, it competes for light and blocks viewing areas, making it one of the most common reef tank annoyances.

Why it Appears

✅ Why It Appears:

Strong Lighting: Especially in older bulbs or long schedules

Elevated Nutrients: Excess nitrate/phosphate

Insufficient Grazers: Few glass-cleaning snails

Natural Phase: Appears in maturing tanks

Best Predator

🧽 Best Cleanup Crew for Green Film Algae:

Nerite Snails – cling to and clean glass

Trochus Snails – mobile, glass-focused grazers

Astrea Snails – scrape smooth surfaces

Lettuce Nudibranch (optional) – helps with biofilm in low flow

Notes

⚠️ Notes for Success:

Wipe Regularly: Prevent buildup on viewing panels

Add Grazers: Focus on glass and overflow zones

Reduce Light Duration: Temporarily shorten photoperiod

Avoid Overfeeding: Prevent nutrient accumulation

Pro tip

🧠 Pro Tip:
Nerites are your MVP for glass. Add them early, and they’ll stay ahead of the slime before it becomes a nuisance.

Green Film

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Green Film

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