Derbesia ??

[lee_d_m]

Hi,

I've had this type of hair algae in my tank for the best part of 9 months. It grows slowly and is pretty easy to brush off with a toothbrush, but it keeps coming back.

My nutrients are very low (.2 No3 and 0 PO4, running Zeovit) but still it grows.

I have all sorts of CUC, abalone, hermits, turbos, urchin, none of which eat it.
I have a couple of tangs and a foxface and yep you guessed it, they won't eat it either.

I had a look on the ID stickie, and it looks a bit like a variant of Derbesia, but its more brown than green and it tends to grow in clumps.

I've attached a couple of iPhone shots which hopefully helps with an ID. Would really appreciate any suggestions as to how to eradicate this once and for all

Thanks

Lee

 

[phobos2deimos]

Not sure, looks like the usual PITA turf algae, maybe some sort of Cladophora? Perhaps a sea hare would take care of it?

 

[FinzAquatics]

Sea hare should help. I've always felt that Cerith and nerite snails are great with turf algae as well!

 

[lee_d_m]

Thanks guys, I'll try a sea hare, is there a particular type of sea hate that you would recommend ?