How do I control

[Logzor]

I have a slight algae problem from some rocks donated to me. They have some nice mushrooms and yumas growing on them.

Below is a picture of the algae. I am not sure what kind it is or how to get rid of it. Please help!

In this 55 gallon tank I have about 90 pounds of live rock, 25 pounds of live sand. Various soft corals and a few lps. Fish include a lawnmower blenny and goby.

Params:

Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
alk 180
ph 7.6
amm 0

 

[RicGio]

a tang would probably make short work of that. A yellow or a Hippo perhaps?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I would use a razorblade to cut the mushrooms of that rock, then reatach them somewhere else and toss the rock out.

 

[Logzor]

Getting rid of the rock is not an option at this point. I need some suggestions for creatures that will eat this stuff. Sometimes I see my emerald crabs munching on it...

My 55 is too small for a tang, unless I get a small one.

 

[JM68]

I have the same stuff and i can't get rid of it. Even leaving the lights off for a few days doesn't seem to phase it. I usually just pick off as much as i can when i do my water changes. I have heard that a foxface will eat it and thats about it. I guess its not a very tasty algea. My buddy has it in his tank to and his hippo tang won't touch it.

 

[Logzor]

Yeah I need to get it from spreading, it is rather invasive.

 

[Logzor]

Well I pulled out the two rocks and scrubbed them down, probably tearing up some mushrooms in the process.

I got most of the stuff off and then hosed it down. It sure looks at lot better now.

I am just afraid it will just spread all over again.

 

[RicGio]

Forgot about a foxface. I had one in my 40L he did a nice job. Highly recommended.

 

[Logzor]

Can I just rent a herd of them to graze through my tank for a week?

Anyways, here is a shot of the middle of my tank:

 

[Logzor]

How much does a foxface usually cost from your LFS, will they get too big for my 55 tank?

 

[aaron L]

Also look in to a starry blenny. Mine is great at cleaning my unwanted algea up

 

[Logzor]

Yeah my lawnmower eats a lot of algae but only if it is very short. The longer stuff that has had significant growth he does not care for.

 

[aaron L]

A lawnmower eats micro algea. A starry blennie eats hair algea and other types that a lawnmower will not eat.

 

[Reef'in Colorado]

I second the foxface suggestion, or some other rabbitfish. They have a voracious appetite and my blue and gold line rabbit even eats bubble algae.

 

[Craig Lambert]

That looks like Sargassam. Nothing will eat it. If it's sargassam it's pretty easy to pull the individual strands off the rock. It may grow back a few times, but in time it won't continue to grow at all. Usually if a tank is a year old, it won't have sargassam anymore.