Bright Red algae in my BB reef

[Fountainhead]

Here's a couple of pictures of what I'm dealing with. The first is a full view of a rock that shows what the coverage looks like. The second is a macro view of the algea that shows that it's hairy...not long flowing hair, but very short.

This started on just a couple of rocks, but can now be found on most all of them.

This look like what you guys were talking about in this thread?

(Try a refresh if the pics don't appear the first time...having trouble with my FTP site.)

 

[Zoom]

Here is mine.

 

[Znut Reefer]

I think I also, posted on this thread. I had it pretty bad too. I did buy a dozen Mex turbos and a rabbit fish, they pretty much took care of the problem. I noticed it is starting to come back, since my Mex have all about died out. So planning to get another dozen to take care of it again.

I still have the rabbit fish but I really think the Mex Turbos did eat it more.

 

[Fountainhead]

I already have about 20 mexican turbos, and ordered another 24 today. They do spend a lot of time on that algae, but I can't say that I can see them actually eating it. But who knows how bad it might be without them?

I also notice that the algea is starting to grow on the astraea snail shells. Nothing really seems to helping much.

 

[janellee]

use algae that grows fast in your sump...thats how i got it to die.
hope that helps
joshua

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8366553#post8366553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fountainhead
I already have about 20 mexican turbos, and ordered another 24 today. They do spend a lot of time on that algae, but I can't say that I can see them actually eating it. But who knows how bad it might be without them?

I also notice that the algea is starting to grow on the astraea snail shells. Nothing really seems to helping much.

I had over 35 Turbos snails they did OK but it grows just as fast as they eat it.
Here is my QC full of them the PBT eat some of it right of his back

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8366651#post8366651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by janellee
use algae that grows fast in your sump...thats how i got it to die.
hope that helps
joshua

Look up on my picture above you can see my Tumbling Cheato in the refuge it don't make no difference the red algae still there.
Here is a better picture of the refuge,

 

[Znut Reefer]

Zoom,

What other reactor is that? Carbon or a GFO?

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8367121#post8367121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by znut Reefer
Zoom,

What other reactor is that? Carbon or a GFO?

Gfo . Rowa.

 

[Znut Reefer]

How long have you been using it? Just curious, has it helped any with the red turf algae? I have heard that nothing will help except the Mex turbos, I haven't tried the GFO route.

 

[Zoom]

I use the reactor now for two years i change the media every six weeks it is 1 litter of Rowa in the reactor.

 

[Znut Reefer]

Thats a while using the rowa. Guess it hasn't really helped with the algae. Thats some tough stuff to get rid of in my experience. Only the rabbit fish and Mex helped me keep it at bay.

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8367400#post8367400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by znut Reefer
Thats a while using the rowa. Guess it hasn't really helped with the algae. Thats some tough stuff to get rid of in my experience. Only the rabbit fish and Mex helped me keep it at bay.

I try to scrape it off it is very hard, some of it is like turf but under that is like coralline algae.

 

[Znut Reefer]

Yeah I know, it can grow on anything it comes in contact with.

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8367533#post8367533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by znut Reefer
Yeah I know, it can grow on anything it comes in contact with.

The crazy part is i took a rock cover with red algae and put it in my FOWLR tank and in two weeks the BR Algae die.
Looks like the BR algae need the sparkling clean water to grow.

 

[Fountainhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8367658#post8367658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
Looks like the BR algae need the sparkling clean water to grow.

I think you're right about this. The more water changes I do the more it grows. I added a phosban reactor. It grows. Heavy skimming. It grows. All my fish have been in quarantine for Ich for the last two weeks and I haven't fed the tank at all, and it has grown significantly in that time. I've tried just about everything that one normally associates with algae control, and it just spreads even more.

Has anyone tried maintaining a high PH for an extended period? I know that many have had success with killing Dinos and some other nuisance algea by maintianing 8.5-8.6 for awhile. Anyone try it with this stuff?

 

[Zoom]

Fountainhead

Fountainhead

My BR algae it is Bright red. your look like is not on the picture above. is your camera the problem or the algae just not as red as mine.

 

[cwschoon]

I started this thread and I still have my problem. Sorry, still no picture. Mine is not "hairy" at all, just a slow growing red that is still taking over. I am just trying to keep my alk and ca where they should be and bought some new soft corals, which would have introduced new corraline algae into the tank. Hopefully, it will overpower the other stuff. I also got 2 urchins...that may be your ticket!
In my travels as a sales rep, calling on aquatic stores, I have seen that red "tuft" like algae. You need to find something to eat it! I seem to remember Naso's liking it. Maybe an emerald crab?

 

[Fountainhead]

Zoom: While the pics I posted are a bit muted with regards to color, mine is definitely not as bright red as yours.

cwshoon: I have two emeralds, and neither one seems interested in my lovely algae.

 

[cwschoon]

I think best bet...and least expensive...are 2 or 3 urchins. Of course, they scrape everything but in my case, I hope to have near perfect perameters and with the introduction of new soft corals, get some corraline in there whih will dominate. Wishfull thinking but a good rationalization to buy some new stuff.